ciprofloxacin(sip-roe-FLOX-a-sin) A drug that is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and is being studied in the treatment of bladder cancer.
Circulation(ser-kyoo-LAY-shun) In the body, the flow of blood through the heart and blood vessels, and the flow of lymph through the lymph vessels.
circulatory system(SER-kyoo-lah-tor-ee SIS-tem) The system that contains the heart and the blood vessels and moves blood throughout the body.
circumcision(SUR-kum-SIH-zhun) Surgery to remove part or all of the foreskin (loose skin that covers the head of the penis).
cirrhosisA type of chronic, progressive liver disease in which liver cells are replaced by scar tissue.
CISThe CIS is the National Cancer Institute's link to the public, interpreting and explaining research findings in a clear and understandable manner, and…
cisplatin(sis-PLA-tin) A drug used to treat many types of cancer. Cisplatin contains the metal platinum.
citalopram(sy-TAL-oh-pram) A drug used to treat depression. It belongs to the families of drugs called antidepressant agents and selective serotonin reuptake…
citric acid/potassium-sodium citrate(SIH-trik A-sid/poh-TAH-see-um-SOH-dee-um SIH-trayt) A drug used in the treatment of metabolic acidosis (a disorder in which the blood is too acidic).
Citrovorum factor(sih-troh-VOR-um FAK-ter) The active ingredient in a drug used to reduce the toxic effects of folic acid antagonists (substances that block the action of…
cladribineAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.
clarithromycinAn antibiotic drug used in the treatment of infections. It belongs to the family of drugs called macrolides.
classical Hodgkin lymphoma(KLA-sih-kul HOJ-kin lim-FOH-muh) The most common type of Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer of the immune system.
ClaudicationA condition caused by a local and temporary deficiency of blood to the muscles due to narrowing (sclerosis) of the arteries (Peripheral Artery Disease)…
Claus modelA computer program that uses statistics to predict a person's risk for developing breast cancer based on family history.
clear cell (kleer sel)A type of cell that looks clear inside when viewed under a microscope.
clear cell adenocarcinoma(kleer sel A-den-oh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A rare type of tumor, usually of the female genital tract, in which the insides of the cells look clear when viewed…
clear cell carcinoma(kleer sel KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A rare type of tumor, usually of the female genital tract, in which the insides of the cells look clear when viewed under a…
clear cell sarcoma of the kidney(kleer sel sar-KOH-muh ...KID-nee) A rare type of kidney cancer, in which the inside of the cells look clear when viewed under a microscope.
cleavedHaving to do with the appearance of cells when viewed under a microscope. The nucleus of cleaved cells appears divided or segmented.
clergy(KLUR-jee) Ordained individuals who perform spiritual and/or religious functions.
ClindamycinAn antibiotic that can be used for the treatment of malaria in combination with a second drug, usually quinine or quinidine.
ClinicalHaving to do with the examination and treatment of patients.
clinical breast examAn exam of the breast performed by a health care provider to check for lumps or other changes.
Clinical cureElimination of malaria symptoms, sometimes without eliminating all parasites. See "radical cure" and "suppressive cure/treatment."
clinical practice guidelinesGuidelines developed to help health care professionals and patients make decisions about screening, prevention, or treatment of a specific health…
clinical researcher(KLIH-nih-kul reh-SER-cher) A health professional who works directly with patients, or uses data from patients, to do research on health and disease and…
clinical seriesA case series in which the patients receive treatment in a clinic or other medical facility.
clinical studyA type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people.
clinical trialA type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people.
clinician(klih-NIH-shun) A health professional who takes care of patients.
CLLA slow-growing type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are found in the blood and bone marrow.
clodronateA drug used in the treatment of hypercalcemia (abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood) and cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastases).
clofarabine(kloh-FAYR-uh-been) A drug used to treat certain types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
Clolar(KLOH-lar) A drug used to treat certain types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
Clostridium Difficile(klah-STRIH-dee-um dih-FIS-ih-lee) A type of bacterium found in human and animal waste.
Clostridium Difficile InfectionA bacterium that is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon in the US. Patients taking antibiotics are at risk of becoming infected with C.
CMLA slowly progressing disease in which too many white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are made in the bone marrow.
CMMLA slowly progressing type of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disease in which too many myelomonocytes (a type of white blood cell) are in the bone…
CMVA virus that may be carried in an inactive state for life by healthy individuals.
cnicin(NIH-sin) A substance found in certain plants, including blessed thistle. It has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
CNSThe brain and spinal cord. Also called central nervous system.
CNS DepressantsA class of drugs that slow CNS function (also called sedatives and tranquilizers), some of which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders; includes…
CNS metastasis(...meh-TAS-tuh-sis) Cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the central nervous system (CNS).
CNS PNETA type of cancer that arises from a particular type of cell within the brain or spinal cord.
CNS prophylaxis(...pro-fih-LAK-sis) Chemotherapy or radiation therapy given to the central nervous system (CNS) as a preventive treatment.
CNS sanctuary therapy(...SANK-choo-wayr-ee THAYR-uh-pee) Chemotherapy or radiation therapy given to the central nervous system (CNS) as a preventive treatment.
CNS tumorA tumor of the central nervous system (CNS), including brain stem glioma, craniopharyngioma, medulloblastoma, and meningioma.
CNTO 328A chimeric (made from human and mouse proteins) monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of advanced kidney cancer and other types of cancer.
co-cultureA mixture of two or more different kinds of cells that are grown together.
Co-morbidityThe presence of one or more diseases or disorders in addition to a primary disease or disorder.
co-trimoxazoleA drug used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria and protozoa. It is a combination of two anti-infection drugs, sulfamethoxazole and…
coactivated T cellA T cell that has been coated with monoclonal antibodies to enhance its ability to kill tumor cells.
cobalamin(koh-BAL-uh-min) A vitamin that is needed to make red blood cells and DNA (the genetic material in cells) and to keep nerve cells healthy.
cobalt 60A radioactive form of the metal cobalt, which is used as a source of radiation to treat cancer.
coccyx(KOK-six) The small bone at the bottom of the spine. It is made up of 3-5 fused bones. Also called tailbone.
Cockayne syndromeA genetic condition characterized by short stature, premature aging, sensitivity to light, and possibly deafness and mental retardation.
codeine(KOH-deen) A drug made from opium or morphine that is used to relieve pain and to prevent coughing and diarrhea. Codeine is a type of opiate.
codeine phosphate(KOH-deen FOS-fayt) A drug made from opium or morphine that is used to relieve pain and to prevent coughing and diarrhea.
coenzyme Q10A substance found in most tissues in the body, and in many foods. It can also be made in the laboratory.
coffee enema(KAW-fee EH-nuh-muh) The injection of coffee through the anus into the colon (large intestine).
cognition(kog-NIH-shun) The mental process of thinking, learning, remembering, being aware of surroundings, and using judgment.
cohort(koh-HORT) A group of individuals who share a common trait, such as birth year.
cohort studyA research study that compares a particular outcome (such as lung cancer) in groups of individuals who are alike in many ways but differ by a certain…
COL-3A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. COL-3 may block tumor growth by preventing the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumors to grow.
COL18A1A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. COL18A1 is made from a type of collagen (a protein found in cartilage and other connective tissue).
cold noduleWhen radioactive material is used to examine the thyroid with a scanner, nodules that collect less radioactive material than the surrounding thyroid…
colectomy(koh-LEK-toh-mee) An operation to remove all or part of the colon. When only part of the colon is removed, it is called a partial colectomy.
CollaborationPeople or groups working together to achieve a common goal.
Collaborative Staging AlgorithmA joint effort by several organizations to develop standard computerized methods for determining the stage of cancer based on tumor size, extension of the…
collagenA fibrous protein found in cartilage and other connective tissue.
collagen diseaseA term previously used to describe chronic diseases of the connective tissue (e.g.
collagenaseA type of enzyme that breaks down the protein collagen.
collecting ductThe last part of a long, twisting tube that collects urine from the nephrons (cellular structures in the kidney that filter blood and form urine) and…
coloanal anastomosisA surgical procedure in which the colon is attached to the anus after the rectum has been removed. Also called coloanal pull-through.
coloanal pull-throughA surgical procedure in which the colon is attached to the anus after the rectum has been removed. Also called coloanal anastomosis.
Colon(KOH-lun) The longest part of the large intestine, which is a tube-like organ connected to the small intestine at one end and the anus at the other.
colon cancer(KOH-lun KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon (the longest part of the large intestine).
colon crypt(KOH-lun KRIPT) Tube-like gland found in the lining of the colon and rectum. Colon crypt cells renew the lining of the intestine and make mucus.
colon polyp(KOH-lun PAH-lip) An abnormal growth of tissue in the lining of the bowel. Polyps are a risk factor for colon cancer.
Colonoscope(koh-LAH-noh-SKOPE) A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the colon.
Colonoscopy(KOH-luh-NOS-koh-pee) Examination of the inside of the colon using a colonoscope, inserted into the rectum.
colony-stimulating factor(KAH-luh-nee-STIM-yoo-LAY-ting FAK-ter) A substance that stimulates the production of blood cells.
Colorectal(KOH-loh-REK-tul) Having to do with the colon or the rectum.
colorectal cancer(KOH-loh-REK-tul KAN-ser) Cancer that develops in the colon (the longest part of the large intestine) and/or the rectum (the last several inches of the…
colostomy(koh-LOS-toh-mee) An opening into the colon from the outside of the body. A colostomy provides a new path for waste material to leave the body after part…
Colostrum(kuh-los'trum) the thin, yellow, milky fluid secreted by the mammary gland before or after delivery of an infant.
colposcope(KOL-puh-SKOPE) A lighted magnifying instrument used to examine the vagina and cervix.
colposcopy(kol-POSS-koh-pee) Examination of the vagina and cervix using a lighted magnifying instrument called a colposcope.
Coma(KOH-muh) A condition in which a patient is in a state of deep sleep and cannot be awakened.
combination chemotherapy(KOM-bih-NAY-shun KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment using more than one anticancer drug.
combretastatin A4 phosphate(kum-BREE-tuh-STA-tin ⦠FOS-fayt) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
comedo carcinomaA type of ductal carcinoma in situ (very early-stage breast cancer).
Comedocarcinoma(koh-mee'-do car sih no mah) is a type of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ in which some of the cancers cells in the duct begin to die and break down (degenerate).
comfort careCare given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease.