Gerota's fascia(gay-ROH-tuz FA-shuh) A fibrous envelope of tissue that surrounds the kidney. Also called Gerota's capsule and renal fascia.
Gerson therapy(GER-sun THAYR-uh-pee) A diet plan that has been claimed to be a treatment for cancer, migraine, tuberculosis, and other diseases.
Gestational Diabetes(GDM) Diabetes mellitus that develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after pregnancy, but about 60% of those women will eventually develop Type II…
gestational trophoblastic disease(jeh-STAY-shuh-nul troh-fuh-BLAS-tik dih-ZEEZ) Any of a group of tumors that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the…
gestational trophoblastic tumor(jeh-STAY-shuh-nul troh-fuh-BLAS-tik TOO-mer) Any of a group of tumors that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the…
GG745A drug used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland. It is being studied in the treatment of male hair loss and prostate cancer.
GIRefers to the stomach and intestines. Also called gastrointestinal.
GI14721An antitumor drug that belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors. It is a camptothecin analog.
giant cell fibroblastoma(JY-unt SEL FY-broh-blas-TOH-muh) A rare type of soft tissue tumor marked by painless nodules in the dermis (the inner layer of the two main layers of…
giant hypertrophic gastritis(JY-unt hy-per-TROH-fik ga-STRY-tis) A condition marked by inflammation and ulcers (breaks on the skin or on the surface of an organ) of the mucosa (inner…
gigantism(jy-GAN-tih-zum) A condition in which the whole body or any of its parts grow much larger than normal.
gimatecanA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors. Also called ST1481.
gingerAn herb with a root that has been used in cooking, and by some cultures to treat nausea, vomiting, and certain other medical conditions.
gingiva(JIN-jih-vuh) The tissue of the upper and lower jaws that surrounds the base of the teeth. Also called gums.
gingivitisA swelling and soreness of the gums that, without treatment, can cause serious gum problems and disease.
ginkgo(GING-koh) A tree native to China. Substances taken from the leaves and seeds have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
ginkgo biloba(GING-koh BY-LOH-buh) A tree native to China. Substances taken from the leaves and seeds have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
ginsengAn herb with a root that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects.
GISTA type of tumor that usually begins in cells in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. It can be benign or malignant.
glandAn organ that makes one or more substances, such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, tears, saliva, or milk.
gland of Lieberkuhn(... LEE-ber-keen) Tube-like gland found in the lining of the colon and rectum. Glands of Lieberkuhn renew the lining of the intestine and make mucus.
glans penisThe rounded, gland-like head of the penis.
Glaucoma(glaw-KOH-muh) A condition in which there is a build-up of fluid in the eye, which presses on the retina and the optic nerve.
Gleason score(GLEE-sun...) A system of grading prostate cancer tissue based on how it looks under a microscope.
Gleevec(GLEE-vek) A drug used to treat different types of leukemia and other cancers of the blood, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, skin tumors called…
Gliadel WaferA biodegradable wafer that is used to deliver the anticancer drug carmustine directly into a brain tumor site after the tumor has been removed by surgery.
glial cell(GLEE-ul sel) Any of the cells that hold nerve cells in place and help them work the way they should.
Glial cells(glee'-ul sells) branched cells that make up the supporting structure of the nervous (brain & spinal cord) tissue.
glial tumorA general term for tumors of the central nervous system, including astrocytomas, ependymal tumors, glioblastoma multiforme, and primitive neuroectodermal…
glioblastoma(GLEE-oh-blas-TOH-muh) A fast-growing type of central nervous system tumor that forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord and has…
glioblastoma multiforme(GLEE-oh-blas-TOH-muh MUL-tih-form) A fast-growing type of central nervous system tumor that forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal…
glioma(glee-OH-muh) A cancer of the brain that begins in glial cells (cells that surround and support nerve cells).
gliosarcoma(GLEE-oh-sar-KOH-muh) A type of glioma (cancer of the brain that comes from glial, or supportive, cells).
glossectomy(glah-SEK-toh-mee) Surgical removal of all or part of the tongue.
glottis(GLAH-tis) The middle part of the larynx; the area where the vocal cords are located.
GlucagonA hormone produced by the pancreas that increases the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
glucagonoma(GLOO-kuh-guh-NO-ma) A rare pancreatic tumor that produces a hormone called glucagon. Glucagonomas can produce symptoms similar to diabetes.
glucocorticoidA compound that belongs to the family of compounds called corticosteroids (steroids).
gluconeogenesisThe process of making glucose (sugar) from its own breakdown products or from the breakdown products of lipids (fats) or proteins.
glucoseA type of sugar; the chief source of energy for living organisms.
glufosfamideAn anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
glutamic acid(gloo-TA-mik A-sid) One of twenty amino acids (molecules that join together to form proteins).
glutamineAn amino acid used in nutrition therapy. It is also being studied for the treatment of diarrhea caused by radiation therapy to the pelvis.
glutathioneA substance found in plant and animal tissues that has many functions in a cell.
glutathione S-transferaseA family of enzymes involved in metabolism and in making toxic compounds less harmful to the body.
glycan(GLY-kan) A large carbohydrate molecule. It contains many small sugar molecules that are joined chemically. Also called polysaccharide.
glycan analysis(GLY-kan uh-NA-lih-sis) A study of the types of carbohydrate (sugar) molecules attached to proteins in cells.
glycemic index(gly-SEE-mik â¦) A measure of the increase in the level of blood glucose (a type of sugar) caused by eating a specific carbohydrate (food that…
Glycine maxA product from a plant of Asian origin that produces beans used in many food products.
Glycohemoglobin(GHb) A glycosylated hemoglobin test administered by the physician to review average blood glucose control for the past three to four months before the…
glycolic acid(gly-KAH-lik A-sid) A substance found in some fruits, sugar beets, and sugar cane. It is used in skin care products to reduce wrinkles and soften the skin.
glycolysisA process in which glucose (sugar) is partially broken down by cells in enzyme reactions that do not need oxygen.
glycopeptideA short chain of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) that has sugar molecules attached to it.
glycoproteinA protein that has sugar molecules attached to it.
glycoprotein 100gp100. A tumor-specific antigen used in the development of cancer vaccines. Also called gp100.
glycosaminoglycanA type of long, unbranched polysaccharide molecule. Glycosaminoglycans are major structural components of cartilage and are also found in the cornea of…
Glycosuria(Glucosuria) The urinary excretion of glucose usually in enhanced quantities.
GM-CSFA substance that helps make more white blood cells, especially granulocytes, macrophages, and cells that become platelets.
GM2-KLH vaccineA substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies that fight certain cancer cells.
GnRHA hormone made by the hypothalamus (part of the brain). GnRH causes the pituitary gland to make luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone…
goiter(GOY-ter) An enlarged thyroid. It may be caused by too little iodine in the diet or by other conditions. Most goiters are not cancer.
gonadThe part of the reproductive system that produces and releases eggs (ovary) or sperm (testicle/testis).
gonadal dysgenesis(go-NA-dul dis-JEH-neh-sis) Abnormal development of a gonad (ovary or testicle).
gonadotropin-releasing hormoneA hormone made by the hypothalamus (part of the brain). GnRH causes the pituitary gland to make luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone…
gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonistA hormone made in the laboratory that has the same effect as the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) produced naturally by the body.
gonioscopy(GOH-nee-OS-koh-pee) A procedure in which a gonioscope (special lens) is used to look at the front part of the eye between the cornea (the clear layer)…
Gonzalez regimenAn alternative therapy that is being studied as a treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Gorlin syndromeA genetic condition that causes unusual facial features and disorders of the skin, bones, nervous system, eyes, and endocrine glands.
goserelin(go-SAIR-uh-lin) A drug that belongs to the family of drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs.
gossypolAn anticancer drug extracted from the cotton plant.
gp100A tumor-specific antigen used in the development of cancer vaccines. Also called glycoprotein 100.
gp209-2MA peptide (short piece of protein) made from the tumor-specific antigen gp100, and used to make vaccines being studied in the treatment of melanoma.
gp96 heat shock protein-peptide complex vaccine(⦠PROH-teen PEP-tide KOM-plex vak-SEEN) A vaccine made from a patient's tumor cells that may help the body's immune system find and kill…
gp96 HSP-peptide complex(⦠PROH-teen PEP-tide KOM-plex) A vaccine made from a patient's tumor cells that may help the body's immune system find and kill cancer cells.
GPX-100An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics. It is an anthracycline.
gradeThe grade of a tumor depends on how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread.
grade 1 follicular lymphoma(... fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler lim-FOH-muh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by enlarged lymph nodes and small cells that have…
grade 2 follicular lymphoma(... fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler lim-FOH-muh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by enlarged lymph nodes and a mix of large cells and…
grade 3 follicular lymphoma(... fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler lim-FOH-muh) A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by large cells and enlarged lymph nodes.
grade IV astrocytoma(... AS-troh-sy-TOH-muh) A fast-growing type of central nervous system tumor that forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord and…
gradingA system for classifying cancer cells in terms of how abnormal they appear when examined under a microscope.
graftHealthy skin, bone, or other tissue taken from one part of the body and used to replace diseased or injured tissue removed from another part of the body.
graft-versus-host disease(... dih-ZEEZ) A disease caused when cells from a donated stem cell graft attack the normal tissue of the transplant patient.
graft-versus-tumorAn immune response to a person's tumor cells by immune cells present in a donor's transplanted tissue, such as bone marrow or peripheral blood.
gramA unit of weight in the metric system. One gram is equal to one thousandth of a kilogram and is approximately 30-times less than an ounce.
granisetron(grah-NIH-seh-tron) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
granisetron hydrochloride(grah-NIH-seh-tron HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
GranteeAn individual to whom an interest in real property is conveyed.
Granulocyte(GRAN-yoo-loh-SITE) A type of white blood cell that fights bacterial infection. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are granulocytes.
granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(GRAN-yoo-loh-SITE KAH-luh-nee STIM-yoo-LAY-ting FAK-ter) A colony-stimulating factor that stimulates the production of neutrophils (a type of white blood…
granulocytic sarcoma(GRAN-yoo-loh-SIH-tik sar-KOH-muh) A malignant, green-colored tumor of myeloid cells (a type of immature white blood cell).
granulocytopenia(GRAN-yoo-loh-SY-toh-PEE-nee-uh) A deficiency in the number of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell.
granulosa cell tumor(GRAN-yoo-LOH-suh SEL TOO-mer) A type of slow-growing, malignant tumor that usually affects the ovary.
gray elmThe inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
green tea extractA substance that is being studied in the prevention of cancer. It is made from decaffeinated green tea, and contains chemicals called catechins, which are…
Greene Menopause IndexA tool used by researchers to study the symptoms of menopause. It is a standard list of 21 questions which women use to rate how much they are bothered by…
grief (GREEF)The normal response to a major loss, such as the death of a loved one. Grief may also be felt by a person with a serious, long-term illness or with a…