sclera(SKLER-uh) The white layer of the eye that covers most of the outside of the eyeball.
sclerodermaA chronic disorder marked by hardening and thickening of the skin. Scleroderma can be localized or it can affect the entire body (systemic).
Sclerosis(skleh ro' sis) a hardening, especially of a part that has been inflammed. There is increased formation of connective tissue.
screening(SKREEN-ing) Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Since screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing…
screening mammogramX-rays of the breasts taken to check for breast cancer in the absence of signs or symptoms.
Screening testTests used to check, or screen, for disease when there are no symptoms. Recommended screening tests for colorectal cancer include the fecal occult blood…
scrotum(SKRO-tum) In males, the external sac that contains the testicles.
Scutellaria barbataAn herb that belongs to a group of herbs named the Scutellaria species or scullcap.
SDX-102A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites. Also called alanosine.
Se-methyl-seleno-L-cysteine(⦠-MEH-thul-seh-LEE-noh ⦠SIS-teh-een) A substance that contains the element selenium (a nutrient that protects cells against…
sebum(SEE-bum) An oily substance produced by certain glands in the skin.
Second OpinionWhen a patient seeks the recommendation or differing point of view of a doctor or other clinician other than the one a patient has previously been seeing.
second primary cancerRefers to a new primary cancer in a person with a history of cancer.
second-line therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that is given when initial treatment (first-line therapy) doesn't work, or stops working.
second-look surgerySurgery performed after primary treatment to determine whether tumor cells remain.
secondary cancerA term that is used to describe either a new primary cancer or cancer that has spread from the place in which it started to other parts of the body.
Secondary DiabetesType of diabetes caused by another disease altogether or damage to the pancreas from chemicals, certain medicines, or diseases of the pancreas (such as…
secondhand smokeSmoke that comes from the burning of a tobacco product and smoke that is exhaled by smokers.
Section 340B Drug Discount ProgramA program administered by the HRSA's Bureau of Primary Care, Office of Pharmacy Affairs established by Section 340B of the Veteran's Health Care Act of…
sedative(SEH-duh-tiv) A drug or substance used to calm a person down, relieve anxiety, or help a person sleep.
SedativesDrugs that suppress anxiety and promote sleep; the NSDUH classification includes benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other types of CNS depressants.
sedimentation rateThe distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube.
sedoxantrone trihydrochloride(seh-DOX-an-trone try-HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
SEER RegistriesGeographic areas that were selected for inclusion in the SEER Program based on their ability to operate and maintain a high quality population-based…
segmental cystectomy(seg-MEN-tul sis-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove part of the bladder (the organ that holds urine). Also called partial cystectomy.
segmental mastectomy(seg-MEN-tul ma-STEK-toh-mee) The removal of cancer as well as some of the breast tissue around the tumor and the lining over the chest muscles below the…
segmental resection(seg-MEN-tul ree-SEK-shun) A surgical procedure to remove part of an organ or gland. It may also be used to remove a tumor and normal tissue around it.
segmentectomy(seg-men-TEK-toh-mee) A surgical procedure to remove part of an organ or gland. It may also be used to remove a tumor and normal tissue around it.
seizure(SEE-zhur) Convulsion; a sudden, involuntary movement of the muscles.
Seizure ConditionMetabolic seizures resulting from unbalanced chemical and physical processes occurring in the body, such as hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), hyponatremia…
selection biasAn error in choosing the individuals or groups to take part in a study. Ideally, the subjects in a study should be very similar to one another and to the…
selective estrogen receptor modulator(seh-LEK-tiv ES-truh-jin reh-SEP-ter MAH-juh-lay-ter) A drug that acts like estrogen on some tissues but blocks the effect of estrogen on other tissues.
selenium(suh-LEE-nee-um) A mineral that is needed by the body to stay healthy. It is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer.
Self-Employment IncomeThe net income you earn from your own trade or business. For example, any net income (profit) you earn from goods you sell or services you provide to…
self-esteemA feeling of self-worth, self-confidence, and self-respect.
Self-insuredGroup health plans may be self-insured or fully insured. A plan is self-insured (or self-funded), when the employer assumes the financial risk for…
Self-Insured PlanType of plan usually present in larger companies where the employer itself collects premiums from enrollees and takes on the responsibility of paying…
self-monitoring blood glucoseA way for people with diabetes to find out how much glucose is in their blood. A drop of blood from the fingertip is placed on a special coated strip of…
sella turcicaA depression of the bone at the base of the skull where the pituitary gland is located.
semaxanib(seh-MAX-uh-nib) A substance that has been studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors and…
semenThe fluid that is released through the penis during orgasm. Semen is made up of sperm from the testicles and fluid from the prostate and other sex glands.
seminal fluid(SEM-in-al) Fluid from the prostate and other sex glands that helps transport sperm out of the man's body during orgasm.
seminal vesicle(SEM-in-al VES-ih-kul) A gland that helps produce semen.
seminal vesicle biopsyThe removal of fluid or tissue with a needle from the seminal vesicles for examination under a microscope.
seminoma(sem-in-O-ma) A type of cancer of the testicles. Seminomas may spread to the lung, bone, liver, or brain.
semiparasiticIn botany, a plant that gets food from a host but also contains chlorophyll and is capable of photosynthesis.
semustineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
senega rootThe root of an herb called Polygala senega. It has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems, including problems of the respiratory…
senile keratosis(SEE-nile KAYR-uh-TOH-sis) A precancerous condition of thick, scaly patches of skin. Also called actinic keratosis and solar keratosis.
SensitivityWhen referring to a medical test, sensitivity refers to the percentage of people who test positive for a specific disease among a group of people who have…
sensorA device that responds to a stimulus, such as heat, light, or pressure, and generates a signal that can be measured or interpreted.
Sensorcaine(SEN-sor-kane) A drug used to relieve pain by blocking signals at nerve endings. It is being studied in the relief of pain following surgery for cancer.
Sentinel Lymph NodeThe first lymph node to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor.
sentinel lymph node biopsyRemoval and examination of the sentinel node(s) (the first lymph node(s) to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor).
sentinel lymph node mappingThe use of dyes and radioactive substances to identify the first lymph node to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor.
seocalcitolA substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called vitamin D analogs.
sepsis(SEP-sis) The presence of bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues.
septate(SEP-tate) An organ or structure that is divided into compartments.
septicemiaDisease caused by the spread of bacteria and their toxins in the bloodstream. Also called blood poisoning and toxemia.
SequelaeMorbid conditions following as a consequence of a disease.
SERMA drug that acts like estrogen on some tissues but blocks the effect of estrogen on other tissues. Tamoxifen and raloxifene are SERMs.
SeroconversionThe development of detectable antibodies to HIV in the blood as a result of infection.
SerologyThe branch of science dealing with the measurement and characterization of antibodies and other immunological substances in body fluids, particularly…
Seromycin(SAYR-oh-MY-sin) A drug used to treat tuberculosis. It is also being studied in the treatment of pain and nerve problems (numbness, tingling) caused by…
SeroprevalenceThe number of persons in a defined population who test HIV-positive based on HIV testing of blood specimens.
serosa(seh-ROH-suh) The outer lining of organs and body cavities of the abdomen and chest, including the stomach. Also called serous membrane.
serotoninA hormone found in the brain, platelets, digestive tract, and pineal gland. It acts both as a neurotransmitter (a substance that nerves use to send…
serous(SEER-us) Having to do with serum, the clear liquid part of blood.
serous membraneThe outer lining of organs and body cavities of the abdomen and chest, including the stomach. Also called serosa.
Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of the ovary(ser-TOH-lee LY-dig sel TOO-mer...OH-vuh-ree) A rare type of ovarian tumor in which the tumor cells secrete a male sex hormone.
sertralineA drug used to treat depression. It is a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Also called Zoloft.
serumThe clear liquid part of the blood that remains after blood cells and clotting proteins have been removed.
serum albuminThe main protein in blood plasma. Low levels of serum albumin occur in people with malnutrition, inflammation, and serious liver and kidney disease.
serum glutamate pyruvate transaminaseAn enzyme found in the liver and other tissues. A high level of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase released into the blood may be a sign of liver…
serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminaseAn enzyme found in the liver, heart, and other tissues. A high level of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase released into the blood may be a sign of…
serum tumor marker testA blood test that measures the amount of substances called tumor markers (or biomarkers).
Service AreaA geographic area where a health insurance plan accepts members if it limits membership based on where people live.
Service GapsAll the service needs of all PLWH except for the need for primary health care for individuals who know their status but are not in care.
SerzoneA drug used to treat depression. It belongs to the family of drugs called antidepressant agents. Also called nefazodone.
sesquiterpene lactoneA substance found in some plants. Sesquiterpene lactones may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects.
sestamibi breast imagingA type of breast imaging test that is used to detect cancer cells in the breasts of some women who have had abnormal mammograms, or who have dense breast…
sestamibi scan(SES-tuh-MIH-bee...) An imaging test used to find overactive parathyroid glands (four pea-sized glands found on the thyroid) and breast cancer cells, and…
severe combined immunodeficiency disease(seh-VEER kum-BIND IH-myoo-noh-deh-FIH-shun-see dih-ZEEZ) A rare, inherited disease that is marked by a lack of B lymphocytes (white blood cells that make…
Severe HypoglycemiaInsulin reaction symptoms consistent with hypoglycemia that could not be treated by the person with diabetes alone, but required the attention and…
severe myelosuppression(... MY-eh-loh-suh-PREH-shun) A severe form of myelosuppression. Myelosuppression is a condition in which bone marrow activity is decreased, resulting in…
sexuality(SEK-shoo-A-lih-tee) A person's behaviors, desires, and attitudes related to sex and physical intimacy with others.
Sezary syndrome(say-zah-REE SIN-drome) A form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a cancerous disease that affects the skin.
SGN-00101A substance that is being studied in the prevention of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called fusion proteins.
SGN-15A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It combines a monoclonal antibody with the anticancer drug doxorubicin.
SGN-30A monoclonal antibody that binds to cells that have the CD30 antigen on their surface, including Hodgkin disease cells and cells from anaplastic large…
SGN-40A monoclonal antibody that binds to cells that have the CD40 antigen on their surface, including cells from multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and…
SGOTAn enzyme found in the liver, heart, and other tissues. A high level of SGOT released into the blood may be a sign of liver or heart damage, cancer, or…
SGPTAn enzyme found in the liver and other tissues. A high level of SGPT released into the blood may be a sign of liver damage, cancer, or other diseases.
sham therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) An inactive treatment or procedure that is intended to mimic as closely as possible a therapy in a clinical trial.
shave biopsy(BY-ahp-see) A procedure in which a skin abnormality and a thin layer of surrounding skin are removed with a small blade for examination under a…