progesterone receptor positive(proh-JES-teh-rone reh-SEP-ter PAH-zuh-tiv) Describes cells that have a protein to which the hormone progesterone will bind.
progesterone receptor test(proh-JES-teh-rone reh-SEP-ter test) A lab test to find out if cancer cells have progesterone receptors (proteins to which the hormone progesterone will…
progestin(pro-JES-tin) Any natural or laboratory-made substance that has some or all of the biologic effects of progesterone, a female hormone.
prognosisThe likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.
prognostic factor(prog-NOS-tik FAK-ter) A situation or condition, or a characteristic of a patient, that can be used to estimate the chance of recovery from a disease or…
programmed cell deathA type of cell death in which a series of molecular steps in a cell leads to its death.
progression(proh-GREH-shun) In medicine, the course of a disease, such as cancer, as it becomes worse or spreads in the body.
progression-free survival(pruh-GREH-shun... ser-VY-vul) The length of time during and after treatment in which a patient is living with a disease that does not get worse.
ProguanilA drug used against malaria. It is found in the combination atovaquone-proguanil which can be used for both prevention and treatment.
prolactin(proh-LAK-tin) A hormone that is made by the pituitary gland (a pea-sized organ in the center of the brain).
Proleukin(pro-LOO-kin) A drug used to treat some types of cancer. It is a form of interleukin-2, a cytokine made by leukocytes (white blood cells), that is made in…
proliferating(proh-LIH-fuh-RAYT-ing) Multiplying or increasing in number. In biology, cell proliferation occurs by a process known as cell division.
Proliferative(pro li" fer uh tiv) the reproduction or multiplication similar forms, such as cells.
proliferative index(proh-LIH-fuh-RAY-tiv ...) A measure of the number of cells in a tumor that are dividing (proliferating).
prolymphocytic leukemiaA type of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), in which too many immature white blood cells (prolymphocytes) are found in the blood and bone marrow.
promegapoietin(proh-MEH-guh-POY-eh-tin) A drug given during chemotherapy to increase blood cell regeneration.
ProMune(PROH-myoon) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
promyelocytic leukemia(PROH-MY-eh-loh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) An aggressive (fast-growing) type of acute myeloid leukemia in which there are too many immature blood-forming…
ProphylacticIn medicine, something that prevents or protects.
prophylactic cranial irradiation(proh-fih-LAK-tik KRAY-nee-ul ir-RAY-dee-AY-shun) Radiation therapy to the head to reduce the risk that cancer will spread to the brain.
prophylactic mastectomy(PROH-fih-LAK-tik ma-STEK-toh-mee) Surgery to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by removing one or both breasts before disease develops.
prophylactic oophorectomy(PROH-fih-LAK-tik oh-oh-foh-REK-toh-mee) Surgery intended to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by removing the ovaries before disease develops.
prophylactic surgerySurgery to remove an organ or gland that shows no signs of cancer, in an attempt to prevent development of cancer of that organ or gland.
prospectiveIn medicine, a study or clinical trial in which participants are identified and then followed forward in time.
prospective cohort studyA research study that follows over time groups of individuals who are alike in many ways but differ by a certain characteristic (for example, female…
Prost 30A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the detection and treatment of cancer.
prostaglandin(PROS-tuh-GLAN-din) One of several hormone-like substances made by the body. Different prostaglandins control blood pressure, contraction of smooth…
prostaglandin E1(PROS-tuh-GLAN-din â¦) A drug that is used to treat impotence (inability to have an erection) and is being studied in the treatment of sexual…
prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PROS-tuh-GLAN-din-EN-doh-peh-ROK-side SIN-thayz) An enzyme that speeds up the formation of substances that cause inflammation and pain.
ProstaScint(PROS-tuh-sint) A substance used to detect prostate cancer. It contains a monoclonal antibody that binds to prostate cells, linked to a substance that can…
ProstaScint scan(PROS-tuh-sint SKAN) An imaging test used to detect prostate cancer. The patient receives an injection of an indium 111-labeled form of ProstaScint, which…
prostate(PROS-tayt) A gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate surrounds the part of the urethra (the tube that empties the bladder) just below the…
prostate cancer(PROS-tayt KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the…
prostate-specific antigen(PROS-tayt-speh-SIH-fik AN-tih-jen) A substance produced by the prostate. It may be found in higher levels in the blood of men who have prostate cancer…
prostate-specific antigen testA blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a substance produced by the prostate and some other tissues in the body.
prostatectomy(PROS-tuh-TEK-toh-mee) An operation to remove part or all of the prostate. Radical (or total) prostatectomy is the removal of the entire prostate and some…
prostatic acid phosphatase(prah-STA-tik A-sid FOS-fuh-tays) An enzyme produced by the prostate. It may be found in increased amounts in men who have prostate cancer.
prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia(prah-STA-tik IN-truh-eh-puh-THEE-lee-ul NEE-oh-PLAY-zhuh) Noncancerous growth of the cells lining the internal and external surfaces of the prostate…
prostatitis(prah-stuh-TY-tis) Inflammation of the prostate gland.
prostatocystectomy(PROS-tuh-toh-sis-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the bladder (the organ that holds urine) and the prostate.
Prosthesis(pros-THEE-sis) A device, such as an artificial leg, that replaces a part of the body.
prosthodontist(pros-tho-DON-tist) A dentist who specializes in replacing missing teeth or other structures of the mouth to restore an individual's appearance, comfort…
prostration(prah-STRAY-shun) A condition in which a person is so tired or weak that he or she is unable to do anything.
protease inhibitorA compound that interferes with the ability of certain enzymes to break down proteins.
proteasome inhibitorA drug that blocks the action of proteasomes. A proteasome is a large protein complex that helps destroy other cellular proteins when they are no longer…
protective factor(proh-TEK-tiv FAK-ter) Something that may decrease the chance of getting a certain disease.
protegrin(proh-TEH-grin) One of a family of small proteins found in white blood cells in pigs.
protein(PRO-teen) A molecule made up of amino acids that are needed for the body to function properly.
protein expression(PROH-teen ek-SPREH-shun) Refers to the amount of a protein made in a cell. The study of protein expression in cancer cells may give information about a…
protein kinase C(PROH-teen KY-nayz ...) An enzyme found throughout the body's tissues and organs. Several forms of PKC are involved in many cellular functions.
protein-bound paclitaxel(PROH-teen... PAK-lih-TAK-sil) A drug used to treat breast cancer that has spread or that has come back within 6 months after chemotherapy.
proteoglycanA molecule that contains both protein and glycosaminoglycans, which are a type of polysaccharide.
proteomic profileAn evaluation of proteins in a sample of blood. This may help detect early cancer or cancer recurrence, or help predict response to treatment.
proteomicsThe study of the structure and function of proteins, including the way they work and interact with each other inside cells.
ProtocelA liquid that has been promoted as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, including cancer.
protocolAn action plan for a clinical trial. The plan states what the study will do, how, and why.
ProtonA small, positively charged particle of matter found in the atoms of all elements.
proton beam radiation therapy(PROH-ton beem RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of high-energy, external radiation therapy that uses streams of protons (small, positively charged…
proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging(PROH-ton mag-NEH-tik REH-zoh-nants SPEK-troh-SKAH-pik IH-muh-jing) A noninvasive imaging method that provides information about cellular activity…
protozoalHaving to do with the simplest organisms in the animal kingdom. Protozoa are single-cell organisms, such as ameba, and are different from bacteria, which…
ProtozoanSingle-celled organism that can perform all necessary functions of metabolism and reproduction.
Provenge(PROH-venj) A vaccine made from immune system cells collected from a patient with prostate cancer.
proximalIn medicine, refers to a part of the body that is closer to the center of the body than another part. For example, the knee is proximal to the toes.
Proxinium(prok-SIH-nee-um) A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of head and neck cancer.
pruritus(proo-RY-tus) Itching. Severe itching may be a side effect of some cancer treatments and a symptom of some types of cancers.
PS-341A drug used to treat multiple myeloma that has gotten worse during treatment with other anticancer drugs.
PSAA substance produced by the prostate. It may be found in higher levels in the blood of men who have prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia…
PSA bounceA brief rise and then fall in the blood level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) that occurs in some patients 1-3 years after receiving radiation…
PSA failure(...FAYL-yer) A rise in the blood level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in prostate cancer patients after treatment with surgery or radiation.
psammoma body(sam-OH-muh BAH-dee) A structure found in some benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor cells.
PSC 833A substance that is being studied for its ability to prevent or overcome the resistance of tumor cells to some anticancer drugs.
Pseudogynecomastia(soo'-doh-guy'-neh-co-mast"-ee-uh) false gynecomastia; condition of fat distribution in men and boys that makes them appear as if they have breasts.
pseudomyxoma peritonei(SOO-doh-mix-OH-muh PAYR-ih-TOH-nee-I) A build-up of mucus in the peritoneal cavity.
psoralen(SOR-uh-len) A substance from plants that is sensitive to light (or can be activated by light).
psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy(SOR-uh-lenâ¦UL-truh-VY-oh-let A THAYR-uh-pee) A type of photodynamic therapy used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and…
psoriasisA chronic disease of the skin marked by red patches covered with white scales.
psychiatrist(sy-KY-uh-trist) A medical doctor who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
psychological(SY-koh-LAH-jih-kul) Having to do with how the mind works and how thoughts and feelings affect behavior.
psychologist(sy-KAH-loh-jist) A specialist who can talk with patients and their families about emotional and personal matters, and can help them make decisions.
psychosis(sy-KOH-sis) A severe mental disorder in which a person loses the ability to recognize reality or relate to others.
psychostimulant(SY-koh-STIM-yoo-lunt) A drug that causes a sense of well-being, decreases fatigue and depression, and increases the desire to eat.
PsychotherapeuticsDrugs that have an effect on the function of the brain and that often are used to treat psychiatric/neurologic disorders; includes opioids, CNS…
psychotherapy(SY-koh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment of mental, emotional, personality, and behavioral disorders using methods such as discussion, listening, and counseling.
psyllium(SIH-lee-um) A plant with seeds that are used as a mild laxative. The outer layer of the seeds swells when wet.
PT-100A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer, including certain types of lung, pancreas, and brain cancer.
PTCA procedure to x-ray the hepatic and common bile ducts. A contrasting agent is injected into the liver or bile duct, and the ducts are then x-rayed to…
PTCDA procedure to drain bile to relieve pressure in the bile ducts caused by a blockage.
PTHA substance made by the parathyroid gland that helps the body store and use calcium.
PTK787/ZK 222584A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors and VEGF…
PTLDA condition in which a group of B-cells grow out of control after an organ transplant in patients with weakened immune systems.
PTSDAn anxiety disorder that develops in reaction to physical injury or severe mental or emotional distress, such as military combat, violent assault, natural…
puberty(PYOO-ber-tee) The time of life when a child experiences physical and hormonal changes that mark a transition into adulthood.
pulmonary(PUL-moh-nayr-ee) Having to do with the lungs.
pulmonary rehabilitation educationEducation about behavior and lifestyle changes to help patients with chronic lung disease decrease breathing problems, return to daily activities, and…
pulmonary sulcus tumor(PUL-muh-NAYR-ee SUL-kuss TOO-mer) A type of lung cancer that begins in the upper part of a lung and spreads to nearby tissues such as the ribs and…
pulmonologist(PUL-muh-NAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the lungs.