fertility(fer-TIL-i-tee) The ability to produce children.
ferumoxtran-10(fayr-yoo-MOX-tranâ¦) A substance being studied as a way of improving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing cancer and finding lymph…
ferumoxytolA nanoparticle form of iron made in the laboratory that is being studied for use in iron replacement therapy, and as a contrast agent for magnetic…
Fetus(FEET-us) The developing offspring from 7 to 8 weeks after conception until birth.
fever(FEE-ver) An increase in body temperature above normal (98.6 degrees F), usually caused by disease.
fexofenadine(fex-oh-FEN-uh-deen) A drug used to treat certain allergy symptoms. It blocks a chemical released during an allergic response that causes itching…
fiber(FY-ber) In food, fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains that cannot be digested. The fiber in food may help prevent cancer.
fiberoptic(FY-ber-OP-tik) Describes the use of a coated, thin, clear, glass or plastic fiber that can carry light and send information, including images.
fibrin sealantA type of surgical glue that is made from human blood-clotting proteins, and that is used during surgery to control bleeding.
Fibroadenoma(FY-broh-a-deh-NOH-muh) A benign (noncancerous) tumor that usually forms in the breast from both fibrous and glandular tissue.
FibroblastA connective tissue cell that makes and secretes collagen proteins.
fibrocystic breast changes(FY-broh-SISS-tik) A common condition marked by benign (noncancerous) changes in breast tissue.
fibrocystic breast disease(FY-broh-SISS-tik brest dih-ZEEZ) A common condition marked by benign (noncancerous) changes in breast tissue.
Fibrocystic breasts(fi"bro-sis'tik brest) characterized by the development of cystic (fluid filled) sacs and overgrowth of fibrous tissue in the breasts.
fifth cranial nerveThe main sensory nerve of the head and face, and the motor nerve of the muscles used in chewing. Also called trigeminal nerve.
FIHPA rare inherited condition in which one or more tumors form in the parathyroid glands (four pea-sized organs found on the thyroid) and cause them to make…
filgrastimA colony-stimulating factor that stimulates the production of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell).
filgrastim-SD/01(fil-GRAS-tim) A drug used to increase numbers of white blood cells in patients who are receiving chemotherapy. It is a type of colony-stimulating factor.
fillerAn inactive substance used to make a product bigger or easier to handle. For example, fillers are often used to make pills or capsules because the amount…
Financial Status Report (FSR - Form 269)A report that is required to be submitted within 90 days after the end of the budget period that serves as documentation of the financial status of grants…
finasteride(fi-NAS-ta-ride) A drug used to reduce the amount of male hormone (testosterone) produced by the body.
fine-needle aspiration biopsy(... NEE-dul as-per-AY-shun BY-op-see) The removal of tissue or fluid with a thin needle for examination under a microscope. Also called FNA biopsy.
first line therapy(... THAYR-uh-pee) The first treatment for a disease or condition. In patients with cancer, first-line therapy can be surgery, chemotherapy, radiation…
first-degree relativeThe parents, brothers, sisters, or children of an individual. Also called FDR.
FISHA laboratory technique used to look at genes or chromosomes in cells and tissues.
fistula(fis-CHUH-luh) An abnormal opening or passage between two organs or between an organ and the surface of the body.
five element acupuncture(five EL-eh-ment AK-yoo-PUNK-cher) An ancient form of acupuncture based on the principle that there are five universal elements (wood, fire, earth, metal…
Five-Year Survival Rate(... ser-VY-vul ...) The percentage of people in a study or treatment group who are alive five years after they were diagnosed with or treated for a…
FK463An antibiotic/antifungal drug used to treat infection.
FlagylA drug that is used to treat infection and is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is type of antibacterial, antiprotozoal, and anthelmintic.
flavonoidA member of a group of substances found in many plants and plant-based foods. Flavonoids have shown antioxidant effects.
flavopiridolA substance being studied as an anticancer drug. It is a type of flavonoid.
flaxseedThe seed of the flax plant. It is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acid, fiber, and a compound called lignin.
flecainideA drug used to treat abnormal heart rhythms. It may also relieve neuropathic pain, the burning, stabbing, or stinging pain that may arise from damage to…
Flexible sigmoidoscopyAlso called proctosigmoidoscopy. A procedure in which the doctor looks inside the rectum and the lower portion of the colon (sigmoid colon) through a…
Flomax(FLOH-max) A drug used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
Flow cytometryA method of measuring the number of cells in a sample, the percentage of live cells in a sample, and certain characteristics of cells, such as size…
floxuridineA drug used in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of antimetabolite.
flt3LA drug that increases the number of immune cells and may stimulate the immune system to kill cancer cells.
fluAn infection caused by the "flu" (short for "influenza") virus. The flu is a contagious viral illness that strikes quickly and severely.
fluconazoleA drug that treats infections caused by fungi.
flucytosineA drug that treats infections caused by fungi.
Fludara(floo-DAR-uh) A drug used to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has not responded to treatment with other anticancer drugs or that has…
fludarabine(floo-DAR-uh-been) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has not responded to treatment with other…
fludarabine phosphate(floo-DAR-uh-been FOS-fayt) A drug used to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has not responded to treatment with other anticancer drugs…
fludeoxyglucose F 18The radioactive form of glucose used in positron emission tomography (PET), a diagnostic imaging procedure.
fludrocortisoneA synthetic corticosteroid. It is used to replace steroid hormones normally produced by the adrenal gland.
fluorescence in situ hybridization(floor-EH-sents in SY-too HY-brih-dih-ZAY-shun) A laboratory technique used to look at genes or chromosomes in cells and tissues.
fluorideA substance that helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride may be naturally present in or may be added to drinking water.
fluorine F 18 EF5(FLOR-een...) A substance being studied in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to detect tumor hypoxia (a low level of oxygen in the tumor).
fluorine F 18 FEQA(FLOOR-een â¦) A radioactive substance being studied in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to detect cancer and to monitor the response…
fluoropyrimidineOne of a group of substances used to treat cancer. A fluoropyrimidine is a type of antimetabolite.
fluoroquinolone(flur-oh-KWIH-nuh-lone) A type of drug used to prevent and treat infections.
fluoroscope(FLOOR-oh-skope) An x-ray machine that makes it possible to see internal organs in motion.
fluoroscopy(floor-AHS-ko-pee) An x-ray procedure that makes it possible to see internal organs in motion.
fluorothymidine F 18(FLOOR-oh-THY-mih-DEENâ¦) A radioactive substance being studied in the diagnosis of cancer.
fluorouracil(floor-oh-YOOR-a-sil) A drug used in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of antimetabolite. Also called 5-FU.
fluoxetineA drug used to treat depression. It is a type of antidepressant.
fluphenazine(floo-FEH-nuh-ZEEN) A drug that is used to treat mental and emotional disorders and is being studied in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
fluphenazine hydrochloride(floo-FEH-nuh-ZEEN HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug that is used to treat mental and emotional disorders and is being studied in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
flutamide(FLOO-ta-mide) An anticancer drug that is a type of antiandrogen.
fluvoxamine(floo-VOX-uh-meen) A drug used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is a type of antidepressant agent and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor…
FMISOA radioactive substance being studied as an imaging agent in head and neck cancers and other types of cancer.
FNA biopsy(... BY-op-see) The removal of tissue or fluid with a thin needle for examination under a microscope. Also called fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
FOBTA test to check for blood in the stool. Small samples of stool are placed on special cards and sent to a doctor or laboratory for testing.
focalIn terms of cancer, limited to a specific area.
folateA B-complex vitamin being studied as a cancer prevention agent. Also called folic acid. Also called folic acid.
folate antagonistA substance that blocks the activity of folic acid. Folate antagonists are used to treat cancer. Also called antifolate.
FOLFOXAn abbreviation for a type of combination chemotherapy that is used to treat colorectal cancer. It includes fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin.
folic acid(FOH-lik A-sid) A B-complex vitamin being studied as a cancer prevention agent. Also called folic acid. Also called folate.
folinic acid(foh-LIN-ik A-sid) The active ingredient in a drug used to reduce the toxic effects of folic acid antagonists (substances that block the action of folic…
follicular large cell lymphoma(fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler larj sel lim-FOH-muh) A rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) with large cells that look cleaved (split) or…
follicular lymphoma(fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler lim-FOH-muh) A type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) that is usually indolent (slow-growing).
follicular mixed cell lymphoma(fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler miks'd sel lim-FOH-muh) An indolent (slow-growing) type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) in which there…
follicular thyroid cancer(fuh-LIH-kyoo-ler THY-royd KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in follicular cells in the thyroid. It grows slowly and is highly treatable.
follow-upMonitoring a person's health over time after treatment. This includes keeping track of the health of people who participate in a clinical study or…
fondaparinux(fon-duh-PAYR-ih-nux) A drug used to prevent blood clots from forming inside blood vessels in the leg.
fondaparinux sodium(fon-duh-PAYR-ih-nux SOH-dee-um) A drug used to prevent blood clots from forming inside blood vessels in the leg.
Food and Drug AdministrationAn agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are…
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)(FDA)Federal agency within HHS responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of drugs, biologics, vaccines, and medical devices used (among others) in…
food exchangesA way to help people stay on special food plans by letting them replace items from one food group with items from another group.
Foot UlcerationA wound with superficial loss of tissue from trauma and may become ulcerated if infection occurs.
Fore milk(for milk) the high protein milk produced at the beginning of the feeding.
foreskin(FOR-skin) The loose skin that covers the head of the penis.
Formaldehyde(for-MAL-duh-hide) A chemical used in manufacturing and chemical industries, and as a preservative by anatomists, embalmers, and pathologists.
forodesine(FOR-oh-deh-seen) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of leukemia and lymphoma.
forodesine hydrochloride(FOR-oh-deh-seen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of leukemia and lymphoma.
Fosamax(FAH-suh-max) A drug used to treat certain bone conditions, such as osteoporosis and Paget disease of the bone.
fotemustineA substance being studied in the treatment of brain tumors and metastatic melanoma of the eye. It is a type of nitrosourea.
FR901228A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. FR901228 is a type of depsipeptide and histone deacetylase inhibitor. Also called romidepsin.
fractionationDividing the total dose of radiation therapy into several smaller, equal doses delivered over a period of several days.