Q10A substance found in most tissues in the body, and in many foods. It can also be made in the laboratory.
qi (chee)In traditional Chinese medicine, vital energy or life force that keeps a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health in balance.
qigong(chee-gong) A form of traditional Chinese mind/body exercise and meditation that uses slow and precise body movements with controlled breathing and mental…
QS21A substance from plants that is being studied together with vaccine therapy for its ability to improve the way the immune system responds to disease.
Quadramet(KWA-druh-met) A drug used to treat pain caused by bone cancer and other cancers that have spread to the bones. Quadramet is a type of radiopharmaceutical.
quadrantectomy(KWAD-ran-TEK-toh-mee) Surgical removal of the region of the breast (approximately one quarter) containing cancer.
QualityThe degree to which a health or social service meets or exceeds established professional standards and user expectations.
Quality Assurance (QA)The process of identifying problems in service delivery, designing activities to overcome these problems, and following up to ensure that no new problems…
Quality Improvement (QI)Also called Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). An ongoing process of monitoring and evaluating activities and outcomes in order to continuously improve…
Quality of LifeThe overall enjoyment of life. Many clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life.
quartile(KWOR-tyl): A term used in medical statistics to mean a group containing one-quarter or 25 percent of the total.
QuinineA drug used against malaria, obtained from the bark of the cinchona tree. Quinine is used for treatment but not prevention of malaria.