rhinoscope(RY-noh-skope) A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the nose.
rhinoscopy(ry-NOS-koh-pee) Examination of the inside of the nose using a rhinoscope. A rhinoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for…
rhizoxinA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It comes from a fungus and is similar to vinca alkaloid drugs.
rhubarb(ROO-barb) The root of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects.
ribavirinA drug used to treat respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in the lungs.
ribonucleic acid(RY-boh-noo-KLAY-ik A-sid) One of the two types of nucleic acids found in all cells.
ribonucleotide reductase inhibitorA family of anticancer drugs that interfere with the growth of tumor cells by blocking the formation of deoxyribonucleotides (building blocks of DNA).
Richter syndrome(RIK-ter SIN-drome) A rare condition in which chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) changes into a fast-growing type of lymphoma.
Richter transformation(RIK-ter TRANZ-for-MAY-shun) A rare condition in which chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) changes into a fast-growing type of lymphoma.
Rider (exclusionary rider)A rider is an amendment to an insurance policy. Some riders will add coverage (for example, if you buy a maternity rider to add coverage for pregnancy to…
rifampinA drug used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria. It belongs to the family of drugs called antibiotics.
risedronate(ris-ED-roe-nate) A substance that is being studied in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
RiskThe possibility of loss; the uncertainty of future returns.
Risk AdjustmentA statistical process that takes into account the underlying health status and health spending of the enrollees in an insurance plan when looking at their…
Risk corridorA temporary provision in the ACA that requires plans whose costs are lower than anticipated to make payments into a fund that reimburses plans whose costs…
risk factorSomething that may increase the chance of developing a disease. Some examples of risk factors for cancer include age, a family history of certain cancers…
Risk Factor or Risk BehaviorBehavior or other factor that places a person at risk for disease; for HIV/AIDS, this includes such factors as male-to-male sexual contact, injection drug…
risk factorsTraits that make it more likely that a person will get an illness. For example, a risk factor for getting type 2 diabetes is having a family history of…
Risk ratioSome investors and financial analysts try to estimate the risk an investment poses by speculating on how much the investment is likely to increase in…
ritonavirA drug that belongs to the family of drugs called protease inhibitors. It interferes with the ability of a virus to make copies of itself.
Ritual(RIH-chuh-wul) In medicine, a repeated action (such as hand washing) done to relieve feelings of fear, dread, and uneasiness.
Rituxan(rih-TUK-sun) A monoclonal antibody used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
rituximab(rih-TUK-sih-mab) A monoclonal antibody used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
RK-0202A substance that is being studied in the prevention of oral mucositis in patients receiving radiation therapy or chemotherapy for head and neck cancer.
RMP-7A substance that is being studied for its ability to help other drugs reach the brain. It belongs to the family of drugs called bradykinin agonists.
RNAOne of the two types of nucleic acids found in all cells. In the cell, RNA is made from DNA (the other type of nucleic acid), and proteins are made from…
Ro 31-7453A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It may prevent cancer cells from dividing.
Ro 50-3821A substance that is being studied in the treatment of anemia in patients who are receiving chemotherapy.
rofecoxib(ROH-feh-COK-sib) A drug that was being used for pain relief and was being studied for its ability to prevent cancer and to block the growth of new blood…
Roman chamomile(ROH-mun KA-muh-mile) A type of chamomile plant with daisy-like white flowers that is found in Europe, North America, and Argentina.
romidepsin(ROH-mih-DEP-sin) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Romidepsin is a type of depsipeptide and histone deacetylase inhibitor.
romiplostim(roh-mih-PLOH-stim) A drug used to treat patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who do not get better with other forms of treatment.
Rooting reflex(ROO'-ting REE'-flex) a reflex in infants that causes the turning of the head to the nipple and opening of the mouth when the cheek is touched or stroked.
ropivacaine(roh-PIH-vuh-kayn) A drug used to control pain and to cause a temporary loss of feeling in one part of the body, during and after surgery.
ropivacaine hydrochloride(roh-PIH-vuh-kayn HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to control pain and to cause a temporary loss of feeling in one part of the body, during and after surgery.
rosiglitazone(roh-sig-LIH-tuh-zone) The active ingredient in a drug that helps control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood and is being studied in the…
rosiglitazone maleate(roh-sig-LIH-tuh-zone MAY-lee-AYT) A drug that helps control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood and is being studied in the prevention and…
routeA route of administration is a way of administering a drug to a site in a patient.
RPI.4610A substance that is being studied in the treatment of kidney cancer. It may prevent the growth of blood vessels from surrounding tissue to the tumor.
RPR 109881AA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called taxanes.
RSR13A substance being studied for its ability to increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy. It is a type of radiosensitizer. Also called efaproxiral.
RSVA virus that causes respiratory infections with cold-like symptoms. Also called respiratory syncytial virus.
RTA 744A substance being studied in the treatment of adult brain tumors. RTA 744 crosses the blood-brain barrier and blocks an enzyme needed for cancer growth.
RU 486A drug used to end early pregnancies. It is also being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer and other conditions.
Rubex(ROO-bex) A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
rV-TRICOMA cancer vaccine made with a form of a vaccinia virus that does not cause disease in humans. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
Ryan White Program Data Report (RDR)(RDR)Formerly known as the CARE Act Data Report (CADR), a provider-based report generating aggregate client, provider, and service data for all Ryan White…
S-1A drug that is being studied for its ability to enhance the effectiveness of fluorouracil and prevent gastrointestinal side effects caused by fluorouracil.
S-phase fractionA measure of the percentage of cells in a tumor that are in the phase of the cell cycle during which DNA is synthesized.
S100 calcium binding protein A8(⦠KAL-see-um ⦠PROH-teen â¦) A protein that is made by many different types of cells and is involved in processes that…
S100 calcium binding protein A9(⦠KAL-see-um ⦠PROH-teen â¦) A protein that is made by many different types of cells and is involved in processes that…
sacrum(SAY-krum) The large, triangle-shaped bone in the lower spine that forms part of the pelvis. It is made of 5 fused bones of the spine.
safingol(SA-fin-gol) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called protein kinase inhibitors.
SAHAA drug that is used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that does not get better, gets worse, or comes back during or after treatment with other drugs.
saliva(suh-LIE-vuh) The watery fluid in the mouth made by the salivary glands. Saliva moistens food to help digestion and it helps protect the mouth against…
Salivary gland(SA-lih-VAYR-ee gland) A gland in the mouth that produces saliva.
salivary gland cancer(SA-lih-VAYR-ee gland KAN-ser) A rare cancer that forms in tissues of a salivary gland (gland in the mouth that makes saliva).
salpingo-oophorectomy(sal-PIN-goh-oh-oh-foh-REK-toh-mee) Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Salvage Therapy(SAL-vij THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that is given after the cancer has not responded to other treatments.
samarium 153(suh-MAYR-ee-um ...) A radioactive substance used in the treatment of bone cancer and bone metastases (cancers that have spread from the original tumor to…
samarium Sm 153 lexidronam pentasodium(suh-MAYR-ee-umâ¦LEK-sih-DROH-nam PEN-tuh-SOH-dee-um) A drug used to treat pain caused by bone cancer and other cancers that have spread to the…
saponinA substance found in soybeans and many other plants. Saponins may help lower cholesterol and may have anticancer effects.
saquinavir mesylateA drug that belongs to the family of drugs called protease inhibitors. It interferes with the ability of a virus to make copies of itself.
sarCNUA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
sarcoidAn inflammatory disease marked by the formation of granulomas (small nodules of immune cells) in the lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs.
sarcoidosisAn inflammatory disease marked by the formation of granulomas (small nodules of immune cells) in the lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs.
sarcomaA cancer of the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.
sarcomatoid carcinoma(sar-KOH-muh-toyd kar-sih-NOH-muh) A type of cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs and that contains long…
sarcosinamide nitrosoureaA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents. Also called sarCNU.
sargramostimA substance that helps make more white blood cells, especially granulocytes, macrophages, and cells that become platelets.
satraplatin(SA-truh-PLA-tin) A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate and other types of cancer.
saturated fat(SA-chu-RAY-tedâ¦) A type of fat with certain chemical properties that is usually solid at room temperature.
saw palmetto(...pawl-MEH-toh) A shrub that is a member of the palm tree family. An extract made from the berries of this shrub has been studied in the treatment of…
SB-715992A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. SB-715992 blocks a protein that tumor cells need to divide. It is a type of mitotic inhibitor.
SB939A substance being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. SB939 blocks the action of an enzyme called histone deacetylase (HDAC) and may stop…
SC-70935A substance being studied for its ability to stimulate the production of blood cells during chemotherapy. It is a type of colony-stimulating factor.
scalpel(SKAL-pul) A small, thin knife used for surgery.
scanA picture of structures inside the body. Scans often used in diagnosing, staging, and monitoring disease include liver scans, bone scans, and computed…
scannerIn medicine, an instrument that takes pictures of the inside of the body.
SCFA drug being studied for its ability to increase the number of stem cells in the blood. It is a type of hematopoietic cell growth factor.
SCH 54031A drug used to treat hepatitis C infections. It is also being studied in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
SCH 66336An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called enzyme inhibitors. Also called lonafarnib.
SCH-58500A substance that has been studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. SCH-58500 is a weakened adenovirus that carries the p53 gene into tumor cells…
schedule(SKEH-jool) In clinical trials, the step-by-step plan for how patients are to be treated; for example, the drug or type of radiation therapy that is to be…
Schiller test(SHIL-er) A test in which iodine is applied to the cervix. The iodine colors healthy cells brown; abnormal cells remain unstained, usually appearing white…
SchizogonyAsexual reproductive stage of malaria parasites. In red blood cells, schizogony entails development of a single trophozoite into numerous merozoites.
SchizontA developmental form of the malaria parasite that contains many merozoites. Schizonts are seen in the liver-stage and blood-stage parasites.
schizophrenia(SKIT-soh-FREE-nee-uh) A group of severe mental disorders in which a person has trouble telling the difference between real and unreal experiences…
Schwann cellA type of glial cell of the peripheral nervous system that helps separate and insulate nerve cells.
Schwann cells(shwon sels) specialized glial cells that form the myelin sheath that coats many axons (nerve cells that carry messages away from the cell).
schwannoma(shwah-NO-ma) A tumor of the peripheral nervous system that arises in the nerve sheath (protective covering).
SCIDA rare, inherited disease that is marked by a lack of B lymphocytes (white blood cells that make antibodies and help fight infections) and a lack of T…
ScientistA person who has studied science, especially one who is active in a particular field of investigation.
scintigraphy(sin-TIH-gruh-fee) A procedure that produces pictures (scans) of structures inside the body, including areas where there are cancer cells.
scintimammography(SIN-tih-ma-MAH-gruh-fee) A type of breast imaging test that is used to detect cancer cells in the breasts of some women who have had abnormal mammograms…