Medicine terms starting with D
- DNA cytometry (si tom" eh tree') is a test sometimes used to help predict the aggressiveness of a tumor.
- DNA gene-expression microarray (⦠JEEN-ek-SPREH-shun MY-kroh-uh-RAY) A process that allows thousands of pieces of DNA that are fixed to a glass slide to be analyzed at one…
- DNA methylase (⦠MEH-thih-LAYZ) An enzyme (a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body) that attaches a methyl group to DNA.
- DNA methyltransferase (... MEH-thul-TRANZ-fer-ayz) An enzyme (a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body) that attaches a methyl group to DNA.
- DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid substances in the body that make up the genes and carry gentic (inherited) information.
- DNA replication (⦠reh-plih-KAY-shun) The process by which a copy of the DNA in a cell is made before the cell divides.
- DNR order A type of advance directive in which a person states that healthcare providers should not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (restarting the heart) if…
- do not resuscitate order (â¦ree-SUH-sih-TAYTâ¦) A type of advance directive in which a person states that healthcare providers should not perform…
- docetaxel (doh-seh-TAK-sel) A drug used together with other drugs to treat certain types of breast cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, and certain types of…
- dock A plant that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects. The scientific name is Rumex acetosella .
- dolasetron (doh-LAH-seh-tron) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
- dolasetron mesylate (doh-LAH-seh-tron MEH-zih-layt) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
- dolastatin 10 (DOH-luh-STA-tin â¦) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
- donepezil (doh-NEP-eh-zil) A drug that is used to treat Alzheimer disease and is being studied in the treatment of side effects caused by radiation therapy to the…
- dong quai (dahng-kwye) An herb native to China. A substance taken from the roots has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat menstrual and menopausal…
- Donning To put on gloves, gown and mask.
- donor lymphocyte infusion (DOH-ner LIM-foh-site in-FYOO-zhun) A type of therapy in which lymphocytes from the blood of a donor are given to a patient who has already received a…
- Dopamine A brain chemical, classified as a neurotransmitter, found in regions that regulate movement, emotion, motivation, and pleasure.
- dornase alfa inhalation solution (DOR-nayz AL-fuh in-huh-LAY-shun suh-LOO-shun) A drug given in an aerosol mist to decrease the thickness of mucus in the lungs of patients with cystic…
- Dosage Form A dosage form is the physical form in which a drug is produced and dispensed, such as a tablet, a capsule, or an injectable.
- dose The amount of medicine taken, or radiation given, at one time.
- dose-dense chemotherapy (DOSE-dents KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) A chemotherapy treatment plan in which drugs are given with less time between treatments than in a standard chemotherapy…
- dose-dependent Refers to the effects of treatment with a drug. If the effects change when the dose of the drug is changed, the effects are said to be dose-dependent.
- dose-limiting Describes side effects of a drug or other treatment that are serious enough to prevent an increase in dose or level of that treatment.
- dose-rate The strength of a treatment given over a period of time.
- dosimetrist (do-SIM-uh-trist) A person who determines the proper radiation dose for treatment.
- dosimetry (doh-SIH-muh-tree) Measurement of radiation exposure from x-rays, gamma rays, or other types of radiation used in the treatment or detection of diseases…
- double-blinded A clinical trial in which neither the medical staff nor the person knows which of several possible therapies the person is receiving.
- Double-contrast barium enema A procedure in which x-rays of the colon and rectum are taken after a liquid containing barium is put into the rectum.
- doubling time (DUH-bling...) In biology, the amount of time it takes for one cell to divide or for a group of cells (such as a tumor) to double in size.
- douche (DOOSH) A procedure in which water or a medicated solution is used to clean the vagina and cervix.
- Down syndrome (...SIN-drome) A disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21 and characterized by mental retardation and distinguishing physical features.
- Dox-SL A form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
- doxazosin (dox-AY-zoh-sin) A drug used to treat high blood pressure and urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
- doxazosin mesylate (dox-AY-zoh-sin MEH-zih-layt) A drug used to treat high blood pressure and urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
- doxercalciferol A substance being studied in the prevention of recurrent prostate cancer. It is a type of vitamin D analog.
- Doxil (DOK-sil) A form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
- doxorubicin (DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin) A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
- doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
- doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome (DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide LY-poh-SOME) A form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
- Doxycycline An antibiotic drug used to treat infection.
- DPA A type of power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document that gives one person (such as a relative, lawyer, or friend) the authority to make…
- DPPE Belongs to a group of antihormone drugs.
- Drain In medicine, to remove fluid as it collects; or, a tube or wick-like device used to remove fluid from a body cavity, wound, or infected area.
- DRE An examination in which a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities. Also called digital rectal examination.
- DRI A set of guidelines developed by U.S. and Canadian scientists to give information about the role of nutrients in human health.
- dronabinol A synthetic pill form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active ingredient in marijuana that is used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with…
- droperidol (droh-PAYR-ih-dol) A drug used to prevent nausea and vomiting in patients who receive anesthesia before surgery. It is also used to treat anxiety.
- drug Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition.
- drug abuse (...uh-BYOOS) The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be…
- drug interaction (⦠IN-ter-AK-shun) A change in the way a drug acts in the body when taken with certain other drugs, herbals, or foods, or when taken with…
- Drug Product The finished dosage form that contains a drug substance, generally, but not necessarily in association with other active or inactive ingredients.
- Drug resistance The failure of cancer cells, viruses, or bacteria to respond to a drug used to kill or weaken them.
- drug tolerance A condition that occurs when the body gets used to a medicine so that either more medicine is needed or different medicine is needed.
- dry orgasm Sexual climax without the release of semen from the penis.
- DSMB Data and Safety Monitoring Board. An impartial group that oversees a clinical trial and reviews the results to see if they are acceptable.
- DT388IL3 fusion protein (...FYOO-zhun PROH-teen) A substance being studied in the treatment of myeloid leukemia (a disease in which too many immature non-lymphocyte white blood…
- DTGM fusion protein An anticancer drug formed by the combination of diphtheria toxin and a colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).
- DTH An inflammatory response that develops 24 to 72 hours after exposure to an antigen that the immune system recognizes as foreign.
- DU 145 A cell line made from human prostate cancer cells that is used in the laboratory to study the way prostate cancer cells grow.
- dual energy x-ray absorptiometric scan (... ub-SORP-shee-uh-MEH-trik SKAN) An imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by…
- dual x-ray absorptiometry (... ub-SORP-shee-AH-meh-tree) An imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by passing…
- duct (dukt) In medicine, a tube or vessel of the body through which fluids pass.
- Duct Ectasia (duct eck-tay'-shuh) is a type of non-proliferative fibrocystic change. It is associated with a mass that can be felt around the nipple area.
- ductal carcinoma The most common type of breast cancer. It begins in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast.
- ductal carcinoma in situ (DUK-tal KAR-sih-NOH-muh in SYE-too) A noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct.
- Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (duck'-tul kar-sin-oh'-ma in si'-too) (also called Intraductal Carcinoma ) is noninvasive, which means that is has not spread out of the milk ducts to…
- ductal lavage (DUK-tal luh-VAHZ) A method used to collect cells from milk ducts in the breast.
- Ducts (milk) the part of the breast that carries the milk to the nipple.
- Dukes A colorectal cancer Cancer has spread beyond the innermost lining of the colon and/or rectum to the second and third layers and involves the inside wall of the colon and/or…
- Dukes B colorectal cancer Cancer has spread outside the colon and/or rectum to nearby tissue, but it has not gone into the lymph nodes. Also called stage II colorectal cancer.
- Dukes C colorectal cancer Tumor cells have spread to organs and lymph nodes near the colon/rectum. Also called stage III colorectal cancer.
- Dukes classification A staging system used to describe the extent of colorectal cancer. Stages range from A (early stage) to D (advanced stage).
- Dukes D colorectal cancer Cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes and has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs. Also called stage IV colorectal cancer.
- duloxetine (duh-LOX-uh-teen) A drug used to treat depression and peripheral neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the hands or feet) that can…
- duloxetine hydrochloride (duh-LOX-uh-teen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat depression and peripheral neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the hands…
- dumping syndrome A condition that occurs when food or liquid moves too fast into the small intestine.
- duodenitis Inflammation of the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach).
- duodenum (doo-ah-DEE-num) The first part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach.
- durable power of attorney (DUR-uh-bul...uh-TER-nee) A type of power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document that gives one person (such as a relative, lawyer, or…
- Duragesic (der-uh-JEE-sik) A drug used to treat moderate to severe pain that is ongoing and cannot be managed with other pain medicines.
- dutasteride (duh-TAS-ter-ide) A drug used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland. It is being studied in the treatment of male hair loss and prostate cancer.
- DX-52-1 An anticancer drug that is a type of antitumor antibiotic. It is an anthracycline.
- DX-8951f An anticancer drug that is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Also called exatecan mesylate.
- DXA An imaging test that measures bone density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain volume of bone) by passing x-rays with two different energy…
- dyscrasia Disease. Usually refers to diseases of the blood.
- dysesthesia (DIS-es-THEE-zhuh) A condition in which a sense, especially touch, is distorted. Dysesthesia can cause an ordinary stimulus to be unpleasant or painful.
- dysfunction (dis-FUNK-shun) A state of not functioning normally.
- dysgeusia A bad taste in the mouth. Also called parageusia.
- dyspepsia Upset stomach.
- dysphagia Difficulty swallowing.
- dysphonia (diss-FOH-nee-uh) Trouble with the voice when trying to talk, including hoarseness and change in pitch or quality or voice.
- dysplasia (dis-PLAY-zhuh) Cells that look abnormal under a microscope but are not cancer.
- dysplastic nevus (dis-PLAS-tik NEE-vus) A type of nevus (mole) that looks different from a common mole.
- dyspnea Difficult, painful breathing or shortness of breath.