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)(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.
N-acetyl-L-cysteineA drug usually used to reduce the thickness of mucus and ease its removal. It is also used to reverse the toxicity of high doses of acetaminophen.
N-acetylcysteineA drug usually used to reduce the thickness of mucus and ease its removal. It is also used to reverse the toxicity of high doses of acetaminophen.
N-acetyldinalineA substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Also called CI-994.
N-benzoyl-staurosporine(...BEN-zoyl-STAW-ruh-SPOR-een) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of leukemia.
NaClChemical abbreviation for sodium chloride (table salt).
naloxoneA substance that is being studied as a treatment for constipation caused by narcotic medications.
naltrexone(nal-TREK-sone) A drug that blocks the action of opiates (drugs used to treat pain).
naltrexone hydrochloride(nal-TREK-sone HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug that blocks the action of opiates (drugs used to treat pain).
Namenda(nuh-MEN-duh) A drug used to treat dementia caused by Alzheimer disease. It is also being studied in the treatment of side effects from whole-brain…
nanogramA measure of weight. One nanogram weighs a billion times less than one gram, and almost a trillion-times less than a pound.
nanoparticle paclitaxel(NAH-no-PAR-tih-kil PAK-lih-TAK-sil) A drug used to treat breast cancer that has spread or that has come back within 6 months after chemotherapy.
nanotechnology(NA-noh-tek-NAH-luh-jee) The field of research that deals with the engineering and creation of things from materials that are less than 100 nanometers…
Naprosyn(NA-proh-sin) A drug used to treat mild pain and the symptoms of arthritis and several other conditions.
naproxen(nuh-PROK-sen) A drug used to treat mild pain and the symptoms of arthritis and several other conditions.
NarcolepsyA disorder characterized by uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep.
narcotic(nar-KAH-tik) An agent that causes insensibility or stupor. It usually refers to an opioid given to relieve pain.
Naropin(nah-ROH-pin) A drug used to control pain and to cause a temporary loss of feeling in one part of the body, during and after surgery.
nasogastric(nay-zoh-GAS-trik) Describes the passage from the nose to the stomach. For example, a nasogastric tube is inserted through the nose, down the throat and…
Nasonex(NAY-zoh-nex) A drug that is used in a cream to treat certain skin conditions and in a nasal spray to treat sinus problems caused by allergies.
nasopharyngeal cancer(NAY-zoh-fuh-RIN-jee-ul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the nasopharynx (upper part of the throat behind the nose).
nasopharynx(NAY-zoh-fayr-inx) The upper part of the throat behind the nose. An opening on each side of the nasopharynx leads into the ear.
nasoscope(NAY-zoh-skope) A thin tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the nose.
nasoscopy(nay-ZOS-koh-pee) Examination of the inside of the nose using a nasoscope (or rhinoscope).
National Cancer InstituteThe National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal…
National Institutes of HealthA federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities…
natural history studyA study that follows a group of people over time who have, or are at risk of developing, a specific medical condition or disease.
Natural killer cellA type of white blood cell that contains granules with enzymes that can kill tumor cells or microbial cells.
naturopathy(nay-chuh-RAH-puh-thee) A system of disease prevention and treatment that avoids drugs and surgery.
nauseaA feeling of sickness or discomfort in the stomach that may come with an urge to vomit. Nausea is a side effect of some types of cancer therapy.
NB1011A substance that is being studied for its ability to make cancer cells respond to drugs to which they have become resistant.
NBI-3001A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is made by combining interleukin-4 with a bacterial toxin.
NCCAMA federal agency that uses science to explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices, trains CAM researchers, and provides authoritative…
NCINCI, part of the National Institutes of Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's principal agency…
NCI clinical trials cooperative group(â¦koh-OP-uh-ruh-tiv GROOP) A group of researchers, cancer centers, and community doctors who are involved in studies of new cancer treatment…
NCX 4016A substance being studied in the prevention of colorectal cancer. It is a form of aspirin that gives off nitric oxide gas and is less irritating to the…
NDGAA drug put on the skin to treat growths caused by sun exposure. A form of NDGA that is taken by mouth is being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer.
NDVNewcastle disease virus. A bird virus that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
nebulizerA device used to turn liquid into a fine spray.