radioactive fallout(RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv...) Airborne radioactive particles that fall to the ground during and after an atomic bombing, nuclear weapons test, or nuclear plant…
radioactive iodine(RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv I-oh-dine) A radioactive form of iodine, often used for imaging tests or to treat an overactive thyroid, thyroid cancer, and certain…
radioactive palladium(RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv puh-LAY-dee-um) A radioactive form of palladium (a metallic element that resembles platinum).
radioactive seed(RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv...) A small, radioactive pellet that is placed in or near a tumor.
radiofrequency ablation(RAY-dee-oh-FREE-kwen-see uh-BLAY-shun) A procedure that uses radio waves to heat and destroy abnormal cells.
radioimaging(RAY-dee-oh-IH-muh-jing) A method that uses radioactive substances to make pictures of areas inside the body.
radioimmunodiagnostics(RAY-dee-oh-IH-myoo-noh-DY-ug-NOS-tix) The use of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies to help diagnose diseases, including cancer.
radioimmunoguided surgery(RAY-dee-oh-IH-myoo-noh-GIDE-ed SER-juh-ree) A procedure that uses radioactive substances to locate tumors so that they can be removed by surgery.
radioimmunotherapeutics(RAY-dee-oh-IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-PYOO-tix) The use of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies to treat diseases, including cancer.
radioimmunotherapy(RAY-dee-oh-IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-pee) A type of systemic radiation therapy in which a radioactive substance is linked to an antibody that locates and…
radioisotope(RAY-dee-oh-I-suh-tope) An unstable form of a chemical element that releases radiation as it breaks down and becomes more stable.
radiolabeled(RAY-dee-oh-LAY-buld) Any compound that has been joined with a radioactive substance.
radiologic exam(RAY-dee-uh-LAH-jik ig-ZAM) A test that uses radiation or other imaging procedures to find signs of cancer or other abnormalities.
Radiologist(RAY-dee-AH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body.
radiology(RAY-dee-AH-loh-jee) The use of radiation (such as x-rays) or other imaging technologies (such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose…
Radionuclide(RAY-dee-oh-NOO-klide) An unstable form of a chemical element that releases radiation as it breaks down and becomes more stable.
radionuclide scanning(RAY-dee-oh-NOO-klide SKAN-ing) A procedure that produces pictures (scans) of structures inside the body, including areas where there are cancer cells.
radiopharmaceutical(RAY-dee-oh-FAR-muh-SOO-tih-kul) A drug containing a radioactive substance that is used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and in pain management of…
radiosensitization(RAY-dee-oh-SEN-sih-tih-ZAY-shun) The use of a drug that makes tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy.
radiosensitizer(RAY-dee-oh-SEN-sih-TIZE-er) A drug that makes tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy.
radiosurgery(RAY-dee-oh-SER-juh-ree) A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely give a single large dose…
Radiotherapeutic ablation(ray"-dee-o-ther"-uh-pyoo'-tik ay-blay"-shun) therapy using ionizing radiation to remove or destroy a part.
radiotherapy(RAY-dee-oh-THAYR-uh-pee) The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink…
RadonA toxic gas found in the soil beneath a house that can contribute to cancer and other illnesses.
Raftilose Synergy 1(RAF-tih-lose SIH-ner-jee ...) A substance that is used to improve the health of the digestive system and bones and is being studied in the prevention of…
raloxifene(ral-OX-ih-feen) A drug used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who are at a high risk of developing the disease or who…
raloxifene hydrochloride(ral-OX-ih-feen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who are at a high risk of developing…
raltitrexedAn anticancer drug that stops tumor cells from growing by blocking the ability of cells to make DNA.
randomizationWhen referring to an experiment or clinical trial, the process by which animal or human subjects are assigned by chance to separate groups that compare…
randomized clinical trialA study in which the participants are assigned by chance to separate groups that compare different treatments; neither the researchers nor the…
Range of SeverityThe area or scope of a physical or mental condition or complication of a physical or mental condition occurring during another disease and aggravating it…
ranpirnaseA substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of ribonuclease enzyme. Also called Onconase.
Rapamune(RAP-uh-MYOON) A drug used to prevent the rejection of organ and bone marrow transplants by the body.
rapamycin(RAP-uh-MY-sin) A drug used to prevent the rejection of organ and bone marrow transplants by the body.
rapid eye movement sleepOne of the five stages of sleep. During rapid eye movement sleep, the eyes move rapidly while closed and dreams occur.
rapid hormone cyclingA procedure in which drugs that block the production of male hormones are alternated with male hormones and/or drugs that promote the production of male…
rapid-onset opioidAn opioid that relieves pain quickly. Opioids are drugs similar to opiates such as morphine and codeine but do not contain and are not made from opium.
Raptiva(rap-TEE-vuh) A monoclonal antibody used to treat psoriasis (a chronic skin disease).
ras geneA gene that has been found to cause cancer when it is altered (mutated). Agents that block its activity may stop the growth of cancer.
ras peptide(rass PEP-tide) A short piece of the ras protein, which is made by the ras gene. The ras gene has been found to cause cancer when it is mutated (changed).
rasburicaseA drug that is used to treat high blood levels of uric acid in patients receiving treatment for cancer.
Rate ReviewA process that allows state insurance departments to review rate increases before insurance companies can apply them to you.
Rating FactorsHealth insurance premiums are calculated using many rating factors. Rating factors have much more influence on individual policy premiums than on group…
rattlesnake rootAn eastern North American perennial herb. A substance obtained from the root of the plant has been used in some cultures to treat a number of medical…
rauschpfeffer(ROWSH-FEH-fer) An herb native to islands in the South Pacific. Substances taken from the root have been used in some cultures to relieve stress, anxiety…
RAV12A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
ravuconazoleA substance that is being studied in the treatment of infections caused by fungi. It belongs to the family of drugs called antifungal agents.
RBCA cell that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Also called erythrocyte and red blood cell.
ReadmissionBeing admitted to a hospital or health care facility after being treated and discharged for the same condition or as a result of a complication.
rebeccamycinA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antineoplastic antibiotics.
rebeccamycin analog(reh-BEH-kuh-MY-sin A-nuh-log) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
Rebound Hyperglycemia(Somogyi Effect) In diabetes a rebound phenomenon of reactive hyperglycemia in response to a proceeding period of relative hypoglycemia that has increased…
Recentin(reh-SEN-tin) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
receptor(reh-SEP-ter) A molecule inside or on the surface of a cell that binds to a specific substance and causes a specific physiologic effect in the cell.
recombinant(ree-KOM-bih-nunt) In genetics, describes DNA, proteins, cells, or organisms that are made by combining genetic material from two different sources.
recombinant adenovirus-p53(ree-KOM-bih-nunt A-den-oh-VY-rus ...) A substance that has been studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
recombinant fowlpox-TRICOM vaccine(ree-KOM-bih-nunt â¦vak-SEEN) A cancer vaccine made with a form of a chicken virus that does not cause disease in humans.
recombinant human interleukin-11(ree-KOM-bih-nunt HYOO-mun in-ter-LOO-kin...) A drug used to increase the number of blood cells, especially platelets, in some cancer patients receiving…
recombinant tissue plasminogen activator(ree-KOM-bih-nunt TIH-shoo plaz-MIN-oh-jen AK-tih-vay-tur) A form of tissue plasminogen activator that is made in the laboratory.
recombinant vaccinia-CEA-MUC-1-TRICOM vaccine(ree-KOM-bih-nunt vak-SIN-ee-uh ⦠vak-SEEN) A cancer vaccine made with a form of vaccinia virus that does not cause disease in humans.
recombinant vaccinia-TRICOM vaccine(ree-KOM-bih-nunt vak-SIH-nee-uh ⦠vak-SEEN) A cancer vaccine made with a form of a vaccinia virus that does not cause disease in humans.
Reconciliation ActLegislation (Public Law 111-152) signed by President Obama on March 30, 2010. One of two laws collectively referred to as the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
reconstructive surgeonA doctor who can surgically reshape or rebuild (reconstruct) a part of the body, such as a woman's breast after surgery for breast cancer.
Reconstructive SurgerySurgery and follow-up treatment needed to correct or improve a part of the body because of birth defects, accidents, injuries or medical conditions.
recover(ree-KUH-ver) To become well and healthy again.
RecoveryRestoration or return to health from sickness.
recreational therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) A type of therapy that uses activities to help meet the physical and emotional needs of patients with an illness or disability and help…
RecrudescenceA repeated attack of malaria due to the survival of malaria parasites in red blood cells.
rectal(REK-tul) By or having to do with the rectum. The rectum is the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus.
rectal cancer(REK-tul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the tissues of the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus).
rectal reconstruction(REK-tul REE-kun-STRUK-shun) Surgery to rebuild the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine before the anus) using a section of the colon.
rectitis(rek-TY-tis) Inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus).
Rectum(REK-tum) The last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus.
recurrence(ree-KER-ents) Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected.
recurrent cancer(ree-KER-ent KAN-ser) Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected.
red blood cellA cell that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Also called erythrocyte and RBC.
red cedar(...SEE-der) A type of evergreen tree with hard fragrant wood that is a member of the cypress family.
red cloverTrifolium pratense. A plant with flowers that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
red dateThe fruit of the jujube plant. It has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
red elmThe inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
Reed-Sternberg cellA type of cell that appears in people with Hodgkin disease. The number of these cells increases as the disease advances.
Reference Listed Drug (RLD)(RLD)A Reference Listed Drug (RLD) is an approved drug product to which new generic versions are compared to show that they are bioequivalent.
ReferralA written order from your primary care doctor for you to see a specialist or get certain medical services.
ReflectivenessThe extent to which the demographics of the planning body's membership look like the demographics of the epidemic in the service area.
refluxThe backward flow of liquid from the stomach into the esophagus.
refractoryIn medicine, describes a disease or condition that does not respond to treatment.
refractory cancerCancer that does not respond to treatment. The cancer may be resistant at the beginning of treatment or it may become resistant during treatment.
Regenecare(reh-JEH-neh-KAYR) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of skin rash and skin pain in cancer patients.
regenerationIn biology, regrowth of damaged or destroyed tissue or body part.
regimenA treatment plan that specifies the dosage, the schedule, and the duration of treatment.
regionalIn oncology, describes the body area right around a tumor.
regional cancerRefers to cancer that has grown beyond the original (primary) tumor to nearby lymph nodes or organs and tissues.
regional chemotherapy(REE-juh-nul KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with anticancer drugs directed to a specific area of the body.
regional enteritis(REE-juh-nul EN-teh-RY-tis) Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly the small intestine and colon.
regional lymph nodeIn oncology, a lymph node that drains lymph from the region around a tumor.
regional lymph node dissectionA surgical procedure to remove some of the lymph nodes that drain lymph from the area around a tumor.
registered dietitian(...dy-eh-TIH-shun) A health professional with special training in the use of diet and nutrition to keep the body healthy.