bone mineral density scan(... MIH-neh-rul DEN-sih-tee skan) An imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by…
bone scanA technique to create images of bones on a computer screen or on film. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into a blood vessel and travels…
bone-seeking radioisotopeA radioactive substance that is given through a vein, and collects in bone cells and in tumor cells that have spread to the bone.
BoosterIn medicine, refers to a vaccination given after a previous vaccination. A booster helps maintain or increase a protective immune response.
borderline personality disorder(BOR-der-LINE PER-suh-NA-lih-tee dis-OR-der) A serious mental illness marked by unstable moods and impulsive behavior.
boron neutron capture therapy(BOR-on NOO-tron KAP-cher THAYR-uh-pee) A type of radiation therapy. The patient is given an infusion that contains the element boron, which collects in…
bortezomib(bore-TEZ-oh-mib) A drug used to treat multiple myeloma that has gotten worse during treatment with other anticancer drugs.
Boswellia serrata(bos-WEH-lee-uh seh-RAY-tuh) A tree that belongs to the incense tree family. The tree's amber-colored resin is used in incense.
botanicalHaving to do with, or derived from, plants.
bowel(BOW-ul) The long, tube-shaped organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion. The bowel has two parts, the small bowel and the large bowel.
bowel function(BOW-ul FUNK-shun) The way the intestines work in terms of how often there are bowel movements, the ability to control when to have a bowel movement, and…
Bowen disease(BOH-en dih-ZEEZ) A skin disease marked by scaly or thickened patches on the skin and often caused by prolonged exposure to arsenic.
BPA-FA substance used in a type of radiation therapy called boron neutron capture therapy.
BPDBorderline personality disorder. A serious mental illness marked by unstable moods and impulsive behavior.
BPHA benign (noncancerous) condition in which an overgrowth of prostate tissue pushes against the urethra and the bladder, blocking the flow of urine.
BPUA substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of antitubulin agent. Also called benzoylphenylurea.
brachial plexopathy(BRAY-kee-ul pleks-AH-pah-thee) A condition marked by numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, or limited movement in the arm or hand.
brachial plexus(BRAY-kee-ul PLEKS-us) A network of nerves that sends signals from the spine to the arm and hand.
brachytherapy(BRAY-kee-THAYR-uh-pee) A type of radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or…
BRAF geneA gene that makes a protein called B-RAF, which is involved in sending signals in cells and in cell growth.
brain metastasis(...meh-TAS-tuh-sis) Cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the brain.
brain stemThe part of the brain that is connected to the spinal cord.
brain stem glioma(...glee-OH-muh) A tumor located in the part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord (the brain stem).
brain stem tumorA tumor in the part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord (the brain stem).
brain tumorThe growth of abnormal cells in the tissues of the brain. Brain tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Brand Name DrugA brand name drug is a drug marketed under a proprietary, trademark-protected name.
Brassica vegetable(BRA-sih-kuh VEJ-tuh-bul) A member of the family of vegetables that includes kale, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and…
BRCA1A gene on chromosome 17 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits a mutated (changed) BRCA1 gene has a higher risk of getting…
BRCA2A gene on chromosome 13 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits a mutated (changed) BRCA2 gene has a higher risk of getting…
breakthrough painIntense increases in pain that occur with rapid onset even when pain-control medication is being used.
breast (brest)Glandular organ located on the chest. The breast is made up of connective tissue, fat, and breast tissue that contains the glands that can make milk.
breast cancer(brest KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk).
breast carcinoma in situAbnormal cells that are confined to the ducts or lobules in the breast. There are two forms, called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma…
breast densityDescribes the relative amount of different tissues present in the breast. A dense breast has less fat than glandular and connective tissue.
breast duct endoscopyA method used to examine the lining of the breast ducts to look for abnormal tissue.
Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System(brest ih-mih-jing rih-port-ing SIS-tem) A method used by radiologists to interpret and report in a standardized manner the results of mammography…
breast implantA silicone gel-filled or saline-filled sac placed under the chest muscle to restore breast shape.
breast self-examAn exam by a woman of her breasts to check for lumps or other changes.
breast-conserving surgeryAn operation to remove the breast cancer but not the breast itself. Types of breast-conserving surgery include lumpectomy (removal of the lump)…
breast-sparing surgeryAn operation to remove the breast cancer but not the breast itself. Types of breast-sparing surgery include lumpectomy (removal of the lump)…
breastboneThe long flat bone that forms the center front of the chest wall. The breastbone is attached to the collarbone and the first seven ribs.
Brittle Diabetes(Labile or Unstable Diabetes) Marked fluctuations in blood glucose concentrations which are difficult to control causing frequent episodes of insulin…
brivanib(brih-VAN-ib) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Brivanib blocks the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumors to grow and may kill…
brivanib alaninate(brih-VAN-ib a-luh-NIN-ayt) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
brivudineA substance that is being studied in the treatment of infections caused by herpesvirus, including herpes-zoster (shingles).
BRM therapy(...THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment to boost or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, infections, and other diseases.
broccoli sprout extract(BRAH-kuh-lee ⦠EK-strakt) A substance being studied in the prevention of cancer. Broccoli sprout extract comes from newly sprouted broccoli.
bromelainAn enzyme found in pineapples that breaks down other proteins, such as collagen and muscle fiber, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
bronchi(BRONG-ky) The large air passages that lead from the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs.
bronchial(BRON-kee-ul) Having to do with the bronchi, which are the larger air passages of the lungs, including those that lead from the trachea (windpipe) to the…
bronchial adenoma(BRON-kee-ul A-deh-NOH-muh) Cancer that forms in tissues of the bronchi (large air passages in the lungs including those that lead to the lungs from the…
bronchial carcinoma(BRAHN-kee-yul kar-sin-OH-muh): Cancer that grows in the bronchi, which are the large airways connecting the windpipe to the lungs.
bronchiole(BRONG-kee-ole) A tiny branch of air tubes in the lungs.
bronchitis(bron-KYE-tis) Inflammation (swelling and reddening) of the bronchi.
bronchoalveolar carcinoma(BRAHN-koh-al-vee-OH-lur kar-sin-OH-muh): Bronchoalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is a subtype of lung cancer.
bronchodilator(BRON-koh-DY-lay-ter) A type of drug that causes small airways in the lungs to open up.
bronchogenic carcinoma(BRON-koh-JEH-nik KAR-sih-NOH-muh) Cancer that begins in the tissue that lines or covers the airways of the lungs, including small cell and non-small cell…
bronchoscope(BRON-koh-SKOPE) A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi (air passages that lead to the lungs), and lungs.
bronchoscopy(bron-KOS-koh-pee) A procedure that uses a bronchoscope to examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi (air passages that lead to the lungs), and lungs.
bronchus(BRON-kus) A large airway that leads from the trachea (windpipe) to a lung. The plural of bronchus is bronchi.
brostallicin(broh-STAL-ih-sin) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of DNA intercalator.
broxuridineA drug that makes cancer cells more sensitive to radiation and is also used as a diagnostic agent to determine how fast cancer cells grow.
bryostatin 1(BRY-uh-STA-tin) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer and certain brain conditions such as Alzheimer disease and stroke.
BSHA substance used in a type of radiation therapy called boron neutron capture therapy. BSH is injected into a vein and becomes concentrated in tumor cells.
BSI-201A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It blocks enzymes that repair damage to DNA.
buccal mucosa(BUH-kul myoo-KOH-suh) The inner lining of the cheeks.
budesonideA drug used in the treatment of asthma and rhinitis. It is also being studied in the treatment of cancer.
bugbaneAn 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…
bugwortAn 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…
Bulbs(bulbz) [of breast ] the grape-like structure in the lobules of the breasts that produce milk.
bulk-forming agentA substance, such as fiber in food, that adds bulk and water to stools so that they can pass more easily through the intestines (lower part of the…
BUNNitrogen in the blood that comes from urea (a substance formed by the breakdown of protein in the liver).
bupivacaine(byoo-PIV-uh-kane) A drug used to relieve pain by blocking signals at nerve endings.
bupivacaine hydrochloride(byoo-PIV-uh-kane HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to relieve pain by blocking signals at nerve endings.
BuprenorphineA mixed opiate agonist/antagonist medication approved by the FDA in October 2002 for the treatment of opioid addiction (e.g., heroin).
bupropion(byoo-PRO-pee-ON) A substance that is used to treat depression, and to help people quit smoking. It belongs to the family of drugs called antidepressants.
burdockA plant whose seeds and root have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
Burkitt leukemia(BER-kit loo-KEE-mee-uh) A rare, fast-growing type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many white blood cells called B lymphocytes form in the blood…
Burkitt lymphoma(BER-kit lim-FOH-muh) An aggressive (fast-growing) type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that occurs most often in children and young adults.
burr holeA small opening in the skull made with a surgical drill.
bursitis(ber-SY-tis) Inflammation (swelling, pain, and warmth) of a bursa. A bursa is a flat, fluid-filled sac found between a bone and a tendon or muscle.
buserelinAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormones.
buspirone(byoo-SPY-rone) A drug that is used to treat certain anxiety disorders. It belongs to the family of drugs called antianxiety agents.
busulfanAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.