mouse modelThe use of special strains of mice to study a human disease or condition, and how to prevent and treat it.
moxibustion(MOK-sih-BUS-chun) In traditional Chinese medicine, a type of heat therapy in which an herb is burned on or above the skin to warm and stimulate an…
moxifloxacin(MOK-sih-FLOK-suh-sin) A drug used to treat bacterial infections. It is a type of fluoroquinolone. Also called Avelox and moxifloxacin hydrochloride .
moxifloxacin hydrochloride(MOK-sih-FLOK-suh-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat bacterial infections. It is a type of fluoroquinolone. Also called Avelox and moxifloxacin.
MP470A substance being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. It blocks the action of certain enzymes involved in cell growth and the repair of…
MPNSTA type of soft tissue sarcoma that develops in cells that form a protective sheath (covering) around peripheral nerves, which are nerves that are outside…
MRIA procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
MRSIA noninvasive imaging method that provides information about cellular activity (metabolic information).
MS 209A substance that is being studied for its ability to make cancer cells respond better to chemotherapy drugs to which they have become resistant.
MS-275A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancers of the blood. It belongs to the family of drugs called histone deacetylase inhibitors.
MSIA change that occurs in the DNA of certain cells (such as tumor cells) in which the number of repeats of microsatellites (short, repeated sequences of…
MTDThe highest dose of a drug or treatment that does not cause unacceptable side effects.
MUC-1A substance found on certain epithelial cells (cells that cover organs, glands, and other body surfaces) and on breast cells involved in making milk.
Mucin(myou' sin) a protein-containing substance that composes the main component of mucus, the slimy fluid secreted from mucous membranes.
mucin/peptideA protein/sugar compound made by some cancer cells.
mucinous(MYOO-sin-us) Containing or resembling mucin, the main compound in mucus.
mucinous carcinoma(MYOO-sin-us KAR-sih-NOH-muh) A type of cancer that begins in cells that line certain internal organs and produce mucin (the main component of mucus).
mucosa(myoo-KOH-suh) The moist, inner lining of some organs and body cavities (such as the nose, mouth, lungs, and stomach).
mucositisA complication of some cancer therapies in which the lining of the digestive system becomes inflamed. Often seen as sores in the mouth.
mucous membrane(MYOO-kus...) The moist, inner lining of some organs and body cavities (such as the nose, mouth, lungs, and stomach).
mucus(MYOO-kus) A thick, slippery fluid made by the membranes that line certain organs of the body, including the nose, mouth, throat, and vagina.
muJ591A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to…
Mullerian tumor(myoo-LER-ee-un...) A rare cancer of the uterus, ovary, or fallopian tubes.
multicenter studyA clinical trial that is carried out at more than one medical institution.
multicentric breast cancer(mul-tee-SEN-trik brest KAN-ser) Breast cancer in which there is more than one tumor, all of which have formed separately from one another.
multidisciplinaryIn medicine, a term used to describe a treatment planning approach or team that includes a number of doctors and other health care professionals who are…
multidisciplinary opinionA treatment planning approach in which a number of doctors who are experts in different specialties (disciplines) review and discuss the medical condition…
multidrug resistanceAdaptation of tumor cells to anticancer drugs in ways that make the drugs less effective.
Multidrug-resistant Organism (MDRO)Bacteria that have become unusually resistant to many of the drugs that used to be effective against them.
multifocal breast cancer(mul-tee-FOH-kul brest KAN-ser) Breast cancer in which there is more than one tumor, all of which have arisen from one original tumor.
multiple endocrine adenomatosis(MUL-tih-pul EN-doh-krin A-deh-NOH-muh-TOH-sis) A rare, inherited disorder that affects the endocrine glands and can cause tumors in the parathyroid and…
multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome(MUL-tih-pul EN-doh-krin NEE-oh-PLAY-zhuh SIN-drome) An inherited condition that may result in the development of cancers of the endocrine system.
multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome(MUL-tih-pul EN-doh-krin NEE-oh-PLAY-zhuh ... SIN-drome) A rare, inherited disorder that affects the endocrine glands and can cause tumors in the…
multiple myeloma(MUL-tih-pul MY-eh-LOH-muh) A type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies).
multiple sclerosisA disorder of the central nervous system marked by weakness, numbness, a loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder…
Multiply DiagnosedA person having multiple morbidities (e.g., substance abuse and HIV infection) (see co-morbidity).
mung beanA type of bean grown in warm climates, usually for its seed and for bean sprouts. Mung bean may have anticancer effects.
muromonab-CD3A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to…
muscle wasting(MUH-sul WAY-sting) A weakening, shrinking, and loss of muscle caused by disease or lack of use. Muscle wasting decreases strength and the ability to move.
musculoskeletal(MUS-kyoo-loh-SKEH-leh-tul) Having to do with muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage.
Mustargen(MUS-tur-jen) A drug used to treat some types of cancer and some precancerous skin conditions.
mustine(mus-TEEN) A drug used to treat some types of cancer and some precancerous skin conditions.
Mutagen(MYOO-tuh-jen) Anything that causes a mutation (a change in the DNA of a cell).
mutateTo change the genetic material of a cell. The changes (mutations) can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect.
Mutation(myoo-TAY-shun) Any change in the DNA of a cell. Mutations may be caused by mistakes during cell division, or they may be caused by exposure to…
myalgia(my-AL-juh) Pain in a muscle or group of muscles.
myasthenia gravis(MY-us-THEE-nee-uh GRA-vis) A disease in which antibodies made by a person's immune system prevent certain nerve-muscle interactions.
mycophenolate mofetil(my-koh-FEN-oh-layt MOH-feh-til) A drug used to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after organ transplants.
mycosis fungoides(my-KOH-sis fun-GOY-deez) A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that first appears on the skin and can spread to the lymph nodes or other organs such as the…
mycosis fungoides plaque(my-KOH-sis fun-GOY-deez plak) In mycosis fungoides, an area of skin that is thickened, raised, red, scaly, and itchy.
Mycostatin(MY-koh-STA-tin) A drug used to treat infections caused by fungi (a type of microorganism).
Myelin(MY-eh-lin) The fatty substance that covers and protects nerves.
Myelin sheath(my' uh lin) the tubular structure that surrounds the nerve fibers.
myeloablation(MY-eh-loh-a-BLAY-shun) A severe form of myelosuppression. Myelosuppression is a condition in which bone marrow activity is decreased, resulting in fewer…
myeloblastic(MY-eh-loh-BLAS-tik) Refers to myeloblasts (a type of immature cell that forms in the bone marrow).
myelodysplasia(MY-eh-loh-dis-PLAY-zhuh) Abnormal bone marrow cells that may lead to myelogenous leukemia.
myelodysplastic syndromes(MY-eh-loh-dis-PLAS-tik SIN-dromz) A group of diseases in which the bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells.
myelofibrosis(MY-eh-loh-fy-BROH-sis) A disorder in which the bone marrow is replaced by fibrous tissue.
myelogenous(MY-eh-LAH-jeh-nus) Having to do with, produced by, or resembling the bone marrow.
myelogram(MY-eh-loh-gram) An x-ray of the spinal cord after an injection of dye into the space between the lining of the spinal cord and brain.
Myeloid(MY-eh-loyd) Having to do with or resembling the bone marrow. May also refer to certain types of hematopoietic (blood-forming) cells found in the bone…
myeloma(MY-eh-LOH-muh) Cancer that arises in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell.
myelomatosis(MY-eh-loh-muh-TOH-sis) A type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies).
myelomonocyte(MY-eh-loh-MON-oh-site) An abnormal type of white blood cell that is found in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.
myeloproliferative disorder(MY-eh-loh-pruh-LIH-feh-RUH-tiv dis-OR-der) A group of slow growing blood cancers, including chronic myelogenous leukemia, in which large numbers of…
myelosclerosis with myeloid metaplasia(MY-eh-loh-skleh-ROH-sis ... MY-eh-loyd meh-tuh-PLAY-zhuh) A progressive, chronic disease in which the bone marrow is replaced by fibrous tissue and blood…
myelosuppression(MY-eh-loh-suh-PREH-shun) A condition in which bone marrow activity is decreased, resulting in fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
myelosuppressive therapy(MY-eh-loh-suh-PREH-siv THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that inhibits blood cell production.
Mylosar(MY-loh-sar) A drug that is used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
Mylotarg(MY-loh-targ) A monoclonal antibody combined with a toxic substance that is used to treat certain types of acute myeloid leukemia in older patients and is…
myoclonic jerk(MY-oh-KLAH-nik â¦) A sudden, brief, strong contraction of a muscle or group of muscles that cannot be controlled.
myometrium(mye-o-MEE-tree-um) The muscular outer layer of the uterus.
MZLAn indolent (slow-growing) type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that begins forming in certain areas (the marginal zones) of lymph tissue.