interleukin-6(in-ter-LOO-kin...) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
interleukin-7(in-ter-LOO-kin...) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
intermediate-grade lymphomaA type of lymphoma that grows and spreads quickly, and has severe symptoms. It is seen frequently in patients who are HIV-positive (AIDS-related lymphoma).
internal examination(in-TER-nul ex-am-ih-NAY-shun) A physical examination in which the health care professional will feel for lumps or changes in the shape of the vagina…
internal radiation therapy(in-TER-nul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is…
International UnitA unit used to measure the activity of many vitamins, hormones, enzymes, and drugs.
interstitial radiation therapy(IN-ter-STIH-shul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of internal radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or…
Intervention(IN-ter-VEN-shun) In medicine, a treatment or action taken to prevent or treat disease, or improve health in other ways.
intervention group(IN-ter-VEN-shun groop) The group receiving the study agent that is being tested in a clinical trial or clinical study.
intestinal villiTiny hair-like projections that line the inside of the small intestine. They contain blood vessels and help absorb nutrients.
Intestine(in-TES-tin) The long, tube-shaped organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion.
intoplicine(in-TOP-lih-seen) A substance that has been studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
intoxicating pepper(in-TOK-sih-KAYT-ing...) An herb native to islands in the South Pacific. Substances taken from the root have been used in some cultures to relieve stress…
intra-arterial(IN-truh-ar-TEER-ee-ul) Within an artery (blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to tissues and organs in the body).
intracarotid infusion(IN-truh-kuh-RAH-tid in-FYOO-zhun) The introduction of fluids and drugs directly into the carotid artery, the main artery in the neck that carries blood…
intracavitary(IN-truh-KA-vuh-tayr-ee) Within a cavity or space, such as the abdomen, pelvis, or chest.
intracavitary radiation therapy(IN-truh-KA-vih-tayr-ee RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of internal radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires…
intracranial tumor(IN-truh-KRAY-nee-ul TOO-mer) A tumor that occurs in the brain.
intracutaneous(IN-truh-kyoo-TAY-nee-us) Within the skin. Also called intradermal.
intradermal(IN-truh-DER-mul) Within the skin. Also called intracutaneous.
Intraductal(in truh duck" tul) having to do with inside the milk duct(s).
intraductal carcinoma(IN-truh-DUK-tul KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct.
intraductal papilloma(IN-truh-DUK-tul PA-pih-LOH-muh) A benign (noncancerous), wart-like growth in a milk duct of the breast.
intraepithelial(IN-truh-eh-pih-THEEL-ee-ul) Within the layer of cells that form the surface or lining of an organ.
intrahepatic(IN-truh-heh-PA-tik) Within the liver.
intrahepatic bile duct(IN-truh-heh-PA-tik BILE dukt) A bile duct that passes through and drains bile from the liver.
intrahepatic infusion(IN-truh-heh-PA-tik in-FYOO-zhun) The delivery of anticancer drugs directly to the blood vessels of the liver.
intralesionalWithin a cancerous area, for example, within a tumor in the skin.
intraluminal intubation and dilationA procedure in which a plastic or metal tube is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus (the tube that carries food to the stomach) to keep it open.
intramuscular(IN-truh-MUS-kyoo-ler) Within or into muscle. Also called IM.
intraocular(IN-truh-AH-kyoo-ler) Within the eyeball.
intraocular melanoma(IN-truh-AH-kyoo-ler MEH-luh-NOH-muh) A rare cancer of melanocytes (cells that produce the pigment melanin) found in the eye. Also called ocular melanoma.
intraoperative radiation therapy(IN-truh-AH-puh-ruh-tiv RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) Radiation treatment aimed directly at a tumor during surgery. Also called IORT.
intrapelvic(IN-truh-PEL-vik) Within the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen between the hip bones.
intraperitoneal(IN-truh-PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul) Within the peritoneal cavity (the area that contains the abdominal organs). Also called IP.
intraperitoneal chemotherapy(IN-truh-PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment in which anticancer drugs are put directly into the abdominal cavity through a thin tube.
intraperitoneal infusion(IN-truh-PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul in-FYOO-zhun) A method of delivering fluids and drugs directly into the abdominal cavity through a thin tube.
intraperitoneal radiation therapy(IN-truh-PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment in which a radioactive liquid is put directly into the abdomen through a thin tube.
intraspinal(IN-truh-SPY-nul) Within the spine (backbone).
intrathecal(IN-truh-THEE-kul) Describes the fluid-filled space between the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.
intrathecal chemotherapy(IN-truh-THEE-kul KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment in which anticancer drugs are injected into the fluid-filled space between the thin layers of tissue…
intrauterine(IN-truh-YOO-teh-rin) Inside the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis where a baby grows).
intrauterine device(IN-truh-YOO-teh-rin dee-VICE) A small, plastic T-shaped device that is placed inside the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's…
intravaginal(IN-truh-VA-jih-nul) Having to do with the inside of the vagina (the birth canal).
Intravenous(IN-truh-VEE-nus) Into or within a vein. Intravenous usually refers to a way of giving a drug or other substance through a needle or tube inserted into a…
intravenous infusion(IN-truh-VEE-nus in-FYOO-zhun) A method of putting fluids, including drugs, into the bloodstream. Also called infusion.
intravenous pyelogram(IN-truh-VEE-nus PY-eh-loh-GRAM) A series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. The x-rays are taken after a dye is injected into a blood vessel.
intravenous pyelography(IN-truh-VEE-nus PY-eh-LAH-gruh-fee) X-ray study of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. The x-rays are taken after a dye is injected into a blood vessel.
intraventricular infusion(IN-truh-ven-TRIH-kyoo-ler in-FYOO-zhun) The delivery of a drug into a fluid-filled cavity within the heart or brain.
intravesical(IN-truh-VES-ih-kal) Within the bladder.
Introduced malariaMosquito-borne transmission of malaria from an imported case in a geographic area where malaria does not occur regularly.
intrusive thought(in-TROO-siv thawt) An unpleasant memory or idea that occurs often in a person's everyday thoughts and keeps him or her from thinking about other things.
Invasive(in-va'siv) having the ability to enter and spread throughout the tissues of the body; the ability to infiltrate and actively destroy surrounding tissue.
invasive breast cancer(in-VAY-siv brest KAN-ser) Cancer that has spread from where it started in the breast into surrounding, healthy tissue.
Invasive Cancer(in-VAY-siv KAN-ser) Cancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding, healthy tissues.
invasive cervical cancer(in-VAY-siv SER-vih-kul KAN-ser) Cancer that has spread from the surface of the cervix to tissue deeper in the cervix or to other parts of the body.
invasive hydatidiform mole(in-VAY-siv hy-da-TID-ih-form mohl) A type of cancer that grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.
invasive procedureA medical procedure that invades (enters) the body, usually by cutting or puncturing the skin or by inserting instruments into the body.
inverted papillomaA type of tumor in which surface epithelial cells grow downward into the underlying supportive tissue.
investigational(in-VES-tih-GAY-shuh-nul) In clinical trials, refers to a drug (including a new drug, dose, combination, or route of administration) or procedure that has…
investigational drug(in-VES-tih-GAY-shuh-nul drug) A substance that has been tested in a laboratory and has gotten approval from the U.S.
investigatorA researcher in a clinical trial or clinical study.
involuntary(in-VAH-lun-TAYR-ee) An action that is not made by choice. In the body, involuntary actions (such as blushing) occur automatically, and cannot be…
involuntary nervous system(in-VAH-lun-TAYR-ee NER-vus SIS-tem) The part of the nervous system that controls muscles of internal organs (such as the heart, blood vessels, lungs…
iodine(I-oh-dine) An element that is necessary for the body to make thyroid hormone. It is found in shellfish and iodized salt.
iodine I 131 metaiodobenzylguanidine(I-oh-dine ... meh-tuh-I-oh-doh-BEN-zeel-GWAH-nih-deen) A radioactive substance that is used in imaging tests, and is being studied in the treatment of…
iodine I 131 monoclonal antibody BC8(I-oh-dine ⦠MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-deeâ¦) A monoclonal antibody that contains the radioactive substance iodine I131.
iodine I 131 tositumomab(I-oh-dine I 131 TAH-sih-TOO-moh-mab) A monoclonal antibody (tositumomab) that has been chemically changed by adding radioactive iodine, and that is used…
iododoxorubicin(I-oh-doh-DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin) A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer and for primary systemic amyloidosis (a disease in which…
ionizing radiation(I-uh-NYZ-ing RAY-dee-AY-shun) A type of radiation made (or given off ) by x-ray procedures, radioactive substances, rays that enter the Earth's…
ionomycinAn antibiotic drug used to treat infection.
IORTRadiation treatment aimed directly at a tumor during surgery. Also called intraoperative radiation therapy.
IPWithin the peritoneal cavity (the area that contains the abdominal organs). Also called intraperitoneal.
IP6A substance found in many foods that come from plants, including corn, wheat, rice, and soybeans, and in large amounts in cereals and legumes.
ipilimumab(ih-pih-LIM-yoo-mab) A monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of certain types of cancer.
ipsilateralHaving to do with the same side of the body.
IRBA group of scientists, doctors, clergy, and consumers that reviews and approves the action plan for every clinical trial.
Iressa(i-REH-suh) A 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.
irinotecanAn anticancer drug that is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. It is a camptothecin analog. Also called CPT 11.
IRIS(I-ris) The colored tissue at the front of the eye that contains the pupil in the center.
irofulven(i-roh-FUL-ven) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. Irofulven attaches to the cell's DNA and may block cancer cell growth.
iron(I-urn) An important mineral the body needs to make hemoglobin, a substance in the blood that carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body.
irradiation(ih-RAY-dee-AY-shun) The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
irreversible toxicity(eer-ih-VER-sih-bul tok-SIH-sih-tee) Side effects that are caused by toxic substances or something harmful to the body and do not go away.
iseganan hydrochloride(i-seh-GAN-an HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of oral mucositis (painful mouth sores) caused by cancer therapy and other…
ISIS 2503A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
ISIS 3521A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
ISIS 5132A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
islet cellA pancreatic cell that produces hormones (e.g., insulin and glucagon) that are secreted into the bloodstream.
islet cell carcinoma(I-let sel KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A rare cancer that forms in the islets of Langerhans cells (a type of cell found in the pancreas).