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).
islet cell tumor(I-let sel TOO-mer) A mass of abnormal cells that forms in the endocrine (hormone-producing) tissues of the pancreas.
islet of Langerhans cell(EYE-let of LANG-er-hanz) A pancreatic cell that produces hormones (e.g., insulin and glucagon) that are secreted into the bloodstream.
Islet's of LangerhansCellular masses varying from a few to hundreds of cells lying in the interstitial tissue of the pancreas; they are composed of different cell types which…
isoflavoneAn estrogen-like substance made by some plants, including the soy plant. Soy isoflavones are being studied in the prevention of cancer, hot flashes that…
isointenseHaving the same intensity as another object. Used to describe the results of imaging tests, such as x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans.
isolated hepatic perfusion(I-soh-LAY-ted heh-PA-tik per-FYOO-zhun) A procedure in which a catheter is placed into the artery that provides blood to the liver.
isolated limb infusion(I-soh-LAY-ted LIM in-FYOO-zhun) A procedure used to deliver anticancer drugs directly to an arm or leg but not to the rest of the body.
isolated limb perfusion(I-soh-LAY-ted LIM per-FYOO-zhun) A procedure that may be used to deliver anticancer drugs directly to an arm or leg.
isolated lung perfusion(I-soh-LAY-ted ... per-FYOO-zhun) A surgical procedure during which the circulation of blood to the lungs is separated from the circulation of blood…
Isolation(I-soh-LAY-shun) State of being separated from others. Isolation is sometimes used to prevent disease from spreading.
isomerOne of two or more compounds that have the same chemical formula but different arrangements of the atoms within the molecules and that may have different…
isosulfan blue(I-soh-SUL-fan â¦) A dye made in the laboratory that helps identify the sentinel lymph node (the first lymph node that cancer spreads to from a…
isotope(I-soh-tope) A form of a chemical element in which the atoms have the same number of protons (part of the nucleus of an atom) but with a different number…
isotretinoinA drug that is used in the treatment of acne and psoriasis and is being studied in cancer prevention. It is a type of retinoid.
ispinesib(is-PIN-eh-sib) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Ispinesib blocks a protein that tumor cells need to divide.
isthmus(iz-muhs) A narrow part inside the body that connects two larger structures.
ITPA condition in which platelets (blood cells that cause blood clots to form) are destroyed by the immune system.
itraconazoleA drug used to prevent or treat fungal infections. It belongs to the family of drugs called antifungal agents.
IUA unit used to measure the activity of many vitamins, hormones, enzymes, and drugs.
IUDA small, plastic T-shaped device that is placed inside the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis) to prevent pregnancy.
IV catheterA short flexible tube that is inserted into a vein for supplying medications or nutrients directly into the bloodstream.
IVPIntravenous pyelogram or intravenous pyelography (in-tra-VEE-nus PYE-el-o-gram or pye-LAH-gra-fee).
ixabepilone(ix-ab-EP-ih-lone) A drug used to treat metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer that has not improved after treatment with certain other anticancer…
Ixempra(ix-EM-pruh) A drug used to treat metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer that has not improved after treatment with certain other anticancer drugs.
J-107088A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase I inhibitor. Also called edotecarin.
J-pouch coloanal anastomosisA surgical procedure in which the colon is attached to the anus after the rectum has been removed.
Jamshidi needle(jam-SHEE-dee NEE-dul) A long, hollow needle with a tapered cutting edge on one end and a handle with a place to attach a syringe on the other end.
Jaundice(JAWN-dis) A condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes become yellow, urine darkens, and the color of stool becomes lighter than normal.
Javlor(JAV-lor) A substance being studied in the treatment of bladder cancer, lung cancer, and other types of cancer. Also called vinflunine.
Jewett staging system(JOO-et STAY-jing SIS-tem) A staging system for prostate cancer that uses ABCD. "A" and "B" refer to cancer that is confined to the prostate.
jiang huang (jyong hwong)An East Indian plant that is a member of the ginger family and is used as a spice and food color.
Jim's JuiceA liquid that has been promoted as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, including cancer.
JM 216A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate and other types of cancer.
JMMLA rare form of childhood leukemia in which cancer cells often spread into tissues such as the skin, lung, and intestines.
johimbe(yo-HIM-bay) A tree native to West Africa. The bark is used as a supplement for bodybuilding and to enhance male sexual performance.
JoinpointA statistical model for characterizing cancer trends which uses statistical criteria to determine how many times and when the trends in incidence or…
Joinpoint SoftwareStatistical software for the analysis of trends using a regression model that describes trends by a sequence of straight line segments, connected at…
joint (joynt)In medicine, the place where two or more bones are connected. Examples include the shoulder, elbow, knee, and jaw.
JS-101A liquid that has been promoted as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, including cancer.
JS-114A liquid that has been promoted as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, including cancer.
junctional nevus(JUNK-shuh-nul NEE-vus) A type of nevus (mole) found at the junction (border) between the epidermis (outer) and the dermis (inner) layers of the skin.
juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia(JOO-veh-NILE MY-eh-loh-MAH-noh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A rare form of childhood leukemia in which cancer cells often spread into tissues such as the…
Juvenile-Onset DiabeticSee IDDM. Diabetes developing during childhood, usually begins before the eighteenth birthday with severe and rapidly developing symptoms of hunger…
Kahler diseaseA type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies).
Kaposi sarcoma(kuh-POH-zee sar-KOH-muh) A type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels that develop into skin lesions or occur internally.
Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus(kuh-POH-zee sar-KOH-muh-uh-SOH-see-ay-ted HER-peez-VY-rus) A type of herpesvirus that may cause Kaposi sarcoma (a rare cancer that can cause skin…
karenitecinA drug being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. It is related to the anticancer drug camptothecin.
Karnofsky Performance StatusA standard way of measuring the ability of cancer patients to perform ordinary tasks. The Karnofsky Performance scores range from 0 to 100.
kava kava(KAH-vuh KAH-vuh) An herb native to islands in the South Pacific. Substances taken from the root have been used in some cultures to relieve stress…
keloid(KEY-loyd) A thick, irregular scar caused by excessive tissue growth at the site of an incision or wound.
kelpA type of seaweed. The stem-like parts of this plant have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
Kemstro(KEM-stroh) A drug that is used to treat certain types of muscle spasms and is being studied in the treatment of liver cancer.
Kepivance(KEH-puh-vants) A form of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) that is made in the laboratory.
Keppra(KEH-pruh) A drug used to treat seizures (involuntary muscle movements) caused by epilepsy (a group of brain disorders).
keratan sulfateA glycosaminoglycan (a type of polysaccharide) found in cartilage and in the cornea of the eye.
keratinocyte growth factor(keh-RA-tih-noh-site grohth FAK-ter) A natural substance that stimulates the growth of epithelial cells in the skin and in the lining of the mouth…
keratoacanthoma(KAYR-uh-toh-AK-un-THOH-muh) A rapidly growing, dome-shaped skin tumor that usually occurs on sun-exposed areas of the body, especially around the head…
Ketalar(KEH-tuh-lar) A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery.
ketamine(KEH-tuh-meen) A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery.
ketamine hydrochloride(KEH-tuh-meen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery.
ketoconazole(kee-ta-KOE-na-zol) A drug that treats infection caused by a fungus. It is also used as a treatment for prostate cancer because it can block the…
ketone(KEE-tone) A type of chemical substance used in perfumes, paints, solvents, and found in essential oils (scented liquid taken from plants).
KetonemiaThe presence of recognizable concentrations of ketone bodies in the plasma.
KetonesAcids produced when the body breaks down fat or fuel. This occurs when there is not enough insulin to permit glucose to enter the cells and fuel them or…
ketorolacA drug that belongs to a family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. It is being studied in cancer prevention.
keyhole limpet hemocyaninOne of a group of drugs called immune modulators, given as a vaccine to help the body respond to cancer. Also called KLH.
KGFA natural substance that stimulates the growth of epithelial cells in the skin and in the lining of the mouth, stomach, and intestines.
kidney(KID-nee) One of a pair of organs in the abdomen. Kidneys remove waste from the blood (as urine), produce erythropoietin (a substance that stimulates red…
kidney cancer(KID-nee KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the kidneys. Kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma (cancer that forms in the lining of very small…
kidney failure(KID-nee FAYL-yer) A condition in which the kidneys stop working and are not able to remove waste and extra water from the blood or keep body chemicals in…
kidney function test(KID-nee FUNK-shun ...) A test in which blood or urine samples are checked for the amounts of certain substances released by the kidneys.
kidneysTwin organs found in the lower part of the back. The kidneys purify the blood of all waste and harmful material.
killer cellA white blood cell that attacks tumor cells and body cells that have been invaded by foreign substances.
kilogramA measure of weight. A kilogram is equal to 2.2 pounds.
KinaretA substance that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and is being studied in the treatment of cancer. Kinaret blocks the action of interleukin 1 (IL-1).
Klatskin tumorCancer that develops in cells that line the bile ducts in the liver, where the right and left ducts meet. It is a type of cholangiocarcinoma.
KlebsiellaA bacterium that frequently causes lung, urinary tract, intestinal, and wound infections.
KLHOne of a group of drugs called immune modulators, given as a vaccine to help the body respond to cancer. Also called keyhole limpet hemocyanin.
Klinefelter syndrome(KLINE-fel-ter SIN-drome) A genetic disorder in males caused by having one or more extra X chromosomes.
Klinefelter's syndrome(Kline'-fell-terz sin'-drom) a congential (present at birth) condition that affects 1 out of every 850 men.
Knee Replacements Total or PartialKnee replacement surgery (arthroplasty) is an elective procedure for people with severe knee damage and pain related to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid…
Korean acupuncture(...AK-yoo-PUNK-cher) A type of acupuncture based on a form of Oriental medicine in which treatment is based on a person's constitution.
KOS-862A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of mitotic inhibitor and epothilone. Also called epothilone D.