volociximab(voh-loh-SIK-sih-mab) A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
Voltaren(vol-TAYR-en) A drug that is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of skin…
Voltaren gel(vol-TAYR-en JEL) The gel form of a drug that is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and is being studied in the prevention and treatment…
vomitTo eject some or all of the contents of the stomach through the mouth.
von Hippel-Lindau syndromeA rare inherited disorder in which blood vessels grow abnormally in the eyes, brain, spinal cord, adrenal glands, or other parts of the body.
voriconazoleA drug that treats infections caused by fungi.
vorinostat(vor-IN-oh-stat) A 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…
vorozoleA hormone therapy drug used to decrease the production of estrogen.
vulvaThe external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips, and the opening to the vagina.
vulvar cancerCancer of the vulva (the external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips, and the opening to the vagina).
VX 853A drug being studied to make cancer cells less resistant to the effects of chemotherapy.
VX-710A drug being studied to make cancer cells less resistant to the effects of chemotherapy.
WAGR syndrome(... SIN-drome) A rare, genetic disorder that is present at birth and has two or more of the following symptoms: Wilms tumor (a type of kidney cancer)…
Waiting PeriodThe time between the date of application and the policy effective date.
Waiting Period (Job-based coverage)The time that must pass before coverage can become effective for an employee or dependent who is otherwise eligible for coverage under a job-based health…
Waldenström macroglobulinemia(VOL-den-strurm MA-kroh-GLAH-byoo-lih-NEE-mee-uh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by abnormal levels of IgM antibodies in…
warfarinA drug that prevents blood from clotting. It belongs to the family of drugs called anticoagulants (blood thinners).
Warning SymptomsSigns of impending departure from the normal sensations or functions experienced by persons with diabetes.
wartA raised growth on the surface of the skin or other organ.
watchful waitingClosely monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change.
water-soluble vitamin(⦠SOL-yoo-bul VY-tuh-min) A vitamin that can dissolve in water. Water-soluble vitamins are carried to the body's tissues but are not stored in…
watercressParts of the flowering plant have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects.
WBCRefers to a blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin. White blood cells include lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells.
wedge resectionA surgical procedure to remove a triangle-shaped slice of tissue. It may be used to remove a tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it.
Well-baby and Well-child VisitsRoutine doctor visits for comprehensive preventive health services that occur when a baby is young and annual visits until a child reaches age 21.
well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma(LIM-foh-SIH-tik lim-FOH-muh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by swollen lymph nodes that usually occurs in people…
Wellcovorin(well-coh-VOR-in) A drug used to reduce the toxic effects of folic acid antagonists (substances that block the action of folic acid), especially the…
Wellness ProgramsA program intended to improve and promote health and fitness that's usually offered through the work place, although insurance plans can offer them…
Wermer syndrome(WER-mer SIN-drome) A rare, inherited disorder that affects the endocrine glands and can cause tumors in the parathyroid and pituitary glands and the…
Western blotA test for detecting the specific antibodies to HIV in a person's blood. It is commonly used to verify positive EIA tests.
Western medicine(... MEH-dih-sin) A system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and…
WGA studyA study that compares the complete DNA of people with a disease or condition to the DNA of people without the disease or condition.
whey protein powder(WAY PROH-teen â¦) A powdered form of proteins taken from whey, which is the liquid left over when cheese is made from cow's milk.
Whipple procedureA type of surgery used to treat pancreatic cancer. The head of the pancreas, the duodenum, a portion of the stomach, and other nearby tissues are removed.
white blood cellRefers to a blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin. White blood cells include lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells.
Whitmore-Jewett staging system(WIT-mor-JOO-et STAY-jing SIS-tem) A staging system for prostate cancer that uses ABCD. "A" and "B" refer to cancer that is confined to the prostate.
WHOA part of the United Nations that deals with major health issues around the world.
whole cell vaccineVaccine made from whole tumor cells that have been changed in the laboratory.
whole genome association study(... JEE-nome uh-SOH-see-AY-shun ...) A study that compares the complete DNA of people with a disease or condition to the DNA of people without the…
whooping cough(WOOP-ing kof) A serious bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes that spreads easily.
wide local excision(â¦ek-SIH-zhun) Surgery to cut out the cancer and some healthy tissue around it.
wild cloverTrifolium pratense. A plant with flowers that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
WillA will is a legal document you use to transfer assets you have accumulated during your lifetime to the people and institutions you want to have them after…
Wilms tumorA disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the kidney, and may spread to the lungs, liver, or nearby lymph nodes.
windpipeThe airway that leads from the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi (large airways that lead to the lungs). Also called trachea.
wisdom tooth(WIZ-dum tooth) The last tooth to come in at the back of each side of the upper and lower jaws.
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome(WIS-kot AL-drich SIN-drome) An inherited immune disorder that occurs in young boys.
WithdrawalA withdrawal is money you take out of your banking, brokerage firm, or other accounts.
Wobe-Mugos EA mixture made from an extract of the calf thymus gland and enzymes (proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body) from the papaya plant, the…
womb (woom)The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. This is the organ in which a baby grows. Also called uterus.
Worker's CompensationAn insurance plan that employers are required to have to cover employees who get sick or injured on the job.
World Health OrganizationA part of the United Nations that deals with major health issues around the world.
wound (woond)A break in the skin or other body tissues caused by injury or surgical incision (cut).
WX-671A substance being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. It blocks the action of certain enzymes, and it may help keep cancer cells from…
X-rayA type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body.
x-ray therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) A type of radiation therapy that uses high-energy radiation from x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Xanax(ZAN-ax) A drug used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. It is being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by some cancer…
Xeloda(zeh-LOH-duh) A drug used to treat stage III colon cancer in patients who had surgery to remove the cancer.
XenograftThe cells of one species transplanted to another species.
xeroderma pigmentosum(ZEER-oh-DER-ma pig-men-TOH-sum) A genetic condition marked by an extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, including sunlight.
xerogramA picture of the body recorded on paper rather than on film. Also called xeroradiograph.
xeroradiographA picture of the body recorded on paper rather than on film. Also called xerogram.
xeroradiography(zeer-oh-RAY-dee-AH-gruh-fee) A type of x-ray in which a picture of the body is recorded on paper rather than on film.
xerostomiaDry mouth. It occurs when the body is not able to make enough saliva.
XK469RA substance that is being studied in the treatment of leukemia. It belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.
XL880A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. XL880 blocks enzymes involved in the growth and spread of tumor cells and in the growth of new blood…
XR9576A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It may help tumor cells respond again to drugs they have become resistant (unable to…
XRP9881A substance that is being studied in the treatment of breast cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called taxane derivatives.
Xyotax(ZY-oh-tax) A form of the anticancer drug paclitaxel combined with a protein called poliglumex that may have fewer side effects and work better than…
Y 90 ibritumomab tiuxetan(... ih-brih-TOO-moh-mab ty-oo-EKS-eh-tan) A radiolabeled monoclonal antibody that is used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is…
Y 90 Zevalin(... ZEV-uh-lin) A radiolabeled monoclonal antibody that is used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is being studied in the…
yangona(yan-GOH-nuh) An herb native to islands in the South Pacific. Substances taken from the root have been used in some cultures to relieve stress, anxiety…
yeast infectionA vaginal infection that is usually caused by a fungus. Women who have this infection may feel itching, burning when urinating, and pain, and some women…
yin and yangIn Chinese philosophy, yin and yang are opposite forces that form a whole. Everything contains both yin and yang in a balance that is always changing…
YKL-40A substance that may be found in higher-than-normal amounts in the blood of patients with certain types of cancer and inflammatory diseases.
YM598A substance that is being studied as a treatment for advanced prostate cancer and for pain caused by prostate cancer that has spread to the bone.
yoga(YOH-guh) An ancient system of practices used to balance the mind and body through exercise, meditation (focusing thoughts), and control of breathing and…
yohimbe(yo-HIM-bay) A tree native to West Africa. The bark is used as a supplement for bodybuilding and to enhance male sexual performance.
yttrium(IH-tree-um) A metal of the rare earth group of elements. A radioactive form of yttrium may be attached to a monoclonal antibody or other molecule that…
yttrium Y 90(IH-tree-um â¦) A radioactive form of the rare metal yttrium that is used in radiation therapy to treat some types of tumors.
yttrium Y 90 DOTA-biotin(IH-tree-um ... BY-uh-tin) A compound that contains the radioisotope yttrium Y 90 linked to the chemical biotin.
yttrium Y 90 DOTA-tyr3-octreotide(IH-tree-um ... OK-tree-oh-tide) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
yttrium Y 90 edotreotide(IH-tree-um ... eh-doh-TREE-oh-tide) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
yttrium Y 90 ibritumomab tiuxetan(IH-tree-um ... ih-brih-TOO-moh-mab ty-oo-EKS-eh-tan) A radiolabeled monoclonal antibody that is used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin…
yttrium Y 90 SMT 487(IH-tree-um â¦) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
Zactima(zak-TEE-muh) A substance being studied in the treatment of lung cancer and other types of cancer.
Zarnestra(zar-NESS-truh) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other types of cancer.
ZD0473A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called platinum analogs.
ZD1839A drug that is used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
ZD4054A substance that is being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called endothelin-receptor antagonists.
ZD6474A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called vascular endothelial growth factor-2 (VEGF-2)…
Zevalin(ZEV-uh-lin) A monoclonal antibody that is used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is being studied in the treatment and detection…
Zheng (jung)In traditional Chinese medicine, a way of diagnosing disease based on observing a set of signs and symptoms.
ziconotide(zih-KAH-noh-tide) A drug used in the treatment of chronic pain. Also called Prialt and SNX 111.
zidovudineA drug that inhibits the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. It is a type of systemic antiviral. Also called AZT.
zileutonA substance that is used to prevent asthma symptoms and that is being studied in the prevention of lung cancer.
zinc oxideA compound that may enhance immune function, especially when administered by inhalation.