ovarian low malignant potential tumor(oh-VAYR-ee-un...muh-LIG-nunt poh-TEN-shul TOO-mer) A condition in which cells that may become cancer form in the thin layer of tissue that covers an…
ovarian suppression(oh-VAYR-ee-un suh-PREH-shun) Surgery, radiation therapy, or a drug treatment to stop the functioning of the ovaries. Also called ovarian ablation.
ovary(OH-vuh-ree) One of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed.
over-the-counterThe over-the-counter (OTC) or unlisted market maintained by securities dealers for issues not listed on a stock exchange.
Over-the-Counter Drugs (OTC)(OTC)FDA defines OTC drugs as safe and effective for use by the general public without a doctor's prescription.
overactive thyroid(... THY-royd) Too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms include weight loss, chest pain, cramps, diarrhea, and nervousness. Also called hyperthyroidism.
overall survival rate(... ser-VY-vul ...) The percentage of people in a study or treatment group who are alive for a certain period of time after they were diagnosed with or…
overdose(OH-ver-DOHS) An amount of drug that is more than what should be taken at one time.
overexpress(OH-ver-ek-SPRES) In biology, to make too many copies of a protein or other substance.
overgrowth syndrome(OH-ver-grohth SIN-drome) A group of genetic disorders in which there is an abnormal increase in the size of the body or a body part that is often noted…
overweightBeing too heavy for one's height. Excess body weight can come from fat, muscle, bone, and/or water retention.
ovulation(ov-yoo-LA-shun) The release of an egg from an ovary during the menstrual cycle.
OX-40A protein being studied in the treatment of cancer. Substances that attach to OX-40 on the surface of T cells (a type of white blood cell) may help the T…
oxaliplatin(ok-SAL-ih-pla-tin) A drug used to treat colorectal cancer that is advanced or has come back.
oxandrolone(ox-AN-dro-lone) A drug used to help patients gain weight after injury, chronic infection, or severe illness.
OXi-104A substance that blocks the process cells use to repair DNA. It may help anticancer drugs and radiation kill more cancer cells.
oxidationProcess in which molecules are split to give products that have unpaired electrons.
oxidative metabolismA chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from carbohydrates (sugars).
oxidative stressA condition in which antioxidant levels are lower than normal. Antioxidant levels are usually measured in blood plasma.
oxide(OK-side) A type of chemical substance that is a combination of oxygen and another substance. Oxides are found in essential oils.
oxycodone(OK-see-KOH-done) A morphine-like drug used to treat medium to severe pain. It belongs to the family of drugs called opioid analgesics and may be…
oxygen(OK-sih-jen) A colorless, odorless gas. It is needed for animal and plant life.
oxygen saturation test(OK-sih-jen SA-chuh-RAY-shunâ¦) A test that measures the amount of oxygen being carried by red blood cells.
oxygen therapy(OK-sih-jen THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment in which a storage tank of oxygen or a machine called a compressor is used to give oxygen to people with breathing…
P-32A radioactive form of the element phosphorus used in the treatment of cancer.
p-valueA statistics term. A measure of probability that a difference between groups during an experiment happened by chance.
p53 geneA tumor suppressor gene that normally inhibits the growth of tumors. This gene is altered in many types of cancer.
pacemaker(PAYS-may-ker) An electronic device that is implanted in the body to monitor heart rate and rhythm.
Pacific valerianA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
pack yearA way to measure the amount a person has smoked over a long period of time. It is calculated by multiplying the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per…
paclitaxel(PA-klih-TAK-sil) A drug used to treat breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma.
paclitaxel liposome(PA-klih-TAK-sil LY-poh-SOME) A form of the anticancer drug paclitaxel that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
paclitaxel poliglumex(PA-klih-TAK-sil PAH-lee-GLOO-mex) A form of the anticancer drug paclitaxel combined with a protein called poliglumex that may have fewer side effects and…
paclitaxel polyglutamate(PA-klih-TAK-sil PAH-lee-GLOO-tuh-mayt) A form of the anticancer drug paclitaxel combined with a protein called poliglumex that may have fewer side…
Paget disease of bone(PA-jet dih-ZEEZ ...) A chronic condition in which both the breakdown and regrowth of bone are increased.
Paget disease of the nipple(PA-jet dih-ZEEZ ...) A form of breast cancer in which the tumor grows from ducts beneath the nipple onto the surface of the nipple.
pain thresholdThe point at which a person becomes aware of pain.
PALAA substance that is being studied for its ability to increase the effectiveness of the anticancer drug fluorouracil.
palate(PAL-et) The roof of the mouth. The front portion is bony (hard palate), and the back portion is muscular (soft palate).
palatine uvulaThe soft flap of tissue that hangs down at the back of the mouth (at the edge of the soft palate). Also called uvula.
palifermin(pal-ee-FER-min) A form of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) that is made in the laboratory.
palliation(PA-lee-AY-shun) Relief of symptoms and suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Palliative(pal-ee-uh-tiv) affording relief, but not cure. An alleviating medicine.
palliative care(PA-lee-uh-tiv...) Care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease.
palliative therapy(PA-lee-uh-tiv THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment given to relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia(PAL-mer-PLAN-ter eh-RITH-roh-DIS-es-THEE-zhuh) A condition marked by pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or redness of the hands or feet.
palonosetron(pal-oh-NOH-seh-tron) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
palonosetron hydrochloride(pal-oh-NOH-seh-tron HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
palpable diseaseA term used to describe cancer that can be felt by touch, usually present in lymph nodes, skin, or other organs of the body such as the liver or colon.
palpationExamination by pressing on the surface of the body to feel the organs or tissues underneath.
palpitation(PAL-pih-TAY-shun) A rapid or irregular heartbeat that a person can feel.
pamidronateA drug that is used to treat hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) and cancer that has spread to the bones.
Pancoast tumorA type of lung cancer that begins in the upper part of a lung and spreads to nearby tissues such as the ribs and vertebrae.
pancreasA glandular organ located in the abdomen. It makes pancreatic juices, which contain enzymes that aid in digestion, and it produces several hormones…
pancreatectomy(PAN-kree-uh-TEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove all or part of the pancreas. In a total pancreatectomy, part of the stomach, part of the small intestine, the…
pancreatic cancer(pan-kree-AT-ic KAN-ser) A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. Also called exocrine cancer.
pancreatic ductPart of a system of ducts in the pancreas. Pancreatic juices containing enzymes are released into these ducts and flow into the small intestine.
pancreatic endocrine cancer(PAN-kree-A-tik EN-doh-krin KAN-ser) A rare cancer that forms in the islets of Langerhans cells (a type of cell found in the pancreas).
pancreatic enzymeA protein secreted by the pancreas that aids in the digestion of food.
pancreatic juiceFluid made by the pancreas. Pancreatic juices contain proteins called enzymes that aid in digestion.
pancreatitisInflammation of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis may cause diabetes and problems with digestion. Pain is the primary symptom.
panic(PA-nik) Sudden extreme anxiety or fear that may cause irrational thoughts or actions.
panitumumab(pan-ih-tuh-MYOO-mab) A human monoclonal antibody that is being used to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
PANVAC-VA cancer vaccine made with a form of vaccinia virus that does not cause disease in humans. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
PAPAn enzyme produced by the prostate. It may be found in increased amounts in men who have prostate cancer. Also called prostatic acid phosphatase.
Pap smearA procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix for examination under a microscope. It is used to detect cancer and changes that may lead to cancer.
Pap testA procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix for examination under a microscope. It is used to detect cancer and changes that may lead to cancer.
papillary serous carcinoma(PA-pih-LAYR-ee SEER-us KAR-sih-NOH-muh) An aggressive cancer that usually affects the uterus/endometrium, peritoneum, or ovary.
papillary thyroid cancer(PA-pih-LAYR-ee THY-royd KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in follicular cells in the thyroid and grows in small finger-like shapes.
papillary tumor(PA-pih-LAYR-ee TOO-mer) A tumor shaped like a small mushroom, with its stem attached to the epithelial layer (inner lining) of an organ.
papilledema(pap-il-eh-DEE-ma) Swelling around the optic disk, the area where the optic nerve (the nerve that carries messages from the eye to the brain) enters the…
PAR-101A substance being studied in the treatment of diarrhea caused by infection with Clostridium difficile (a type of bacteria that can grow without oxygen) in…
paracentesis(PAYR-uh-sen-TEE-siss) A procedure in which a thin needle or tube is put into the abdomen to remove fluid from the peritoneal cavity (the space within the…
paraganglia(PAYR-uh-GANG-glee-uh) A collection of cells that came from embryonic nervous tissue, and are found near the adrenal glands and some blood vessels and…
paraganglioma(PAYR-uh-GANG-glee-OH-muh) A rare, usually benign tumor that develops from cells of the paraganglia.
parageusiaA bad taste in the mouth. Also called dysgeusia.
paralysis(puh-RAL-ih-siss) Loss of ability to move all or part of the body.
paralytic ileus(PA-ruh-LIH-tic IH-lee-us) A condition in which the muscles of the intestines do not allow food to pass through, resulting in a blocked intestine.
paramyxovirus(pa-ruh-MIK-suh-VY-rus) A type of virus that has hemagglutinin-neuraminidase proteins in the outer coat and RNA as the genetic material.
paranasal sinus(PAYR-uh-NAY-zul SY-nus) One of many small hollow spaces in the bones around the nose.
paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer(PAYR-uh-NAY-zul SY-nus ... NAY-zul KA-vuh-tee KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the paranasal sinuses (small hollow spaces in the bones around the…
paraneoplastic syndrome(PAYR-uh-nee-oh-PLASS-tik SIN-drome) A group of symptoms that may develop when substances released by some cancer cells disrupt the normal function of…
paranoia(PAYR-uh-noy-uh) A mental disorder in which a person has an extreme fear and distrust of others.
parasiteAn animal or plant that gets nutrients by living on or in an organism of another species.
ParasitemiaThe presence of parasites in the blood. The term can also be used to express the quantity of parasites in the blood (e.g., "a parasitemia of 2%").
parasitic(PAYR-uh-SIH-tik) Having to do with or being a parasite (an animal or plant that gets nutrients by living on or in an organism of another species).
parasomnia(PAYR-uh-SOM-nee-ah) An abnormal disruption of sleep, such as sleep walking, sleep talking, nightmares, bedwetting, sleep apnea (problems with breathing…
parasympathetic nervous system(PA-ruh-SIM-puh-THEH-tik NER-vus SIS-tem) The part of the nervous system that slows the heart, dilates blood vessels, decreases pupil size, increases…
parathormone(PAYR-uh-THOR-mone) A substance made by the parathyroid gland that helps the body store and use calcium.
parathyrin(PAYR-uh-THY-rin) A substance made by the parathyroid gland that helps the body store and use calcium.
parathyroid cancer(PAYR-uh-THY-royd KAN-ser) A rare cancer that forms in tissues of one or more of the parathyroid glands (four pea-sized glands in the neck that make…
parathyroid gland(PAYR-uh-THY-royd...) One of four pea-sized glands found on the surface of the thyroid.
parathyroid hormone(PAYR-uh-THY-royd HOR-mone) A substance made by the parathyroid gland that helps the body store and use calcium.
parathyroidectomy(PAYR-uh-THY-roy-DEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove one or more parathyroid glands (four pea-sized organs found on the thyroid).
parenchyma(pah-REN-kih-ma) The essential or functional elements of an organ.
parenteral nutritionA form of nutrition that is delivered into a vein. Parenteral nutrition does not use the digestive system.
paresthesia(par-es-THEE-zhuh) An abnormal touch sensation, such as burning or prickling, that occurs without an outside stimulus.