polycystic ovary syndrome(PAH-lee-SIS-tik OH-vuh-ree SIN-drome) A condition marked by infertility, enlarged ovaries, menstrual problems, high levels of male hormones, excess hair…
polycythemia vera(PAH-lee-sy-THEE-mee-uh VAYR-uh) A disease in which there are too many red blood cells in the bone marrow and blood, causing the blood to thicken.
PolydipsiaExcessive thirst that is relatively chronic.
Polydrug AbuseThe abuse of two or more drugs at the same time, such as CNS depressants and alcohol.
polyglutamate camptothecin(PAH-lee-GLOO-tuh-mayt kamp-toh-THEK-in) A form of the anticancer drug camptothecin that may have fewer side effects and work better than camptothecin.
polymer(PAH-lih-mer) A molecule made up of small identical molecules called monomers. The monomers are joined together in a repeating pattern.
polymerase chain reaction(puh-LIM-eh-rayz ...) A laboratory method used to make many copies of a specific DNA sequence. Also called PCR.
PolymorphicLiterally meaning having more than one form. In terms of genes it means that there are several variants (alleles) of a particular gene that occur…
polymorphism(PAH-lee-MOR-fih-zum) A common variation or mutation in DNA.
polymyositis(PAH-lee-MY-oh-SY-tis) An inflammatory disease of the muscles closest to the center of the body.
polyneuritis(PAH-lee-nuh-RY-tis) Inflammation of several peripheral nerves at the same time.
Polyp(PAH-lip) A growth that protrudes from a mucous membrane.
polypectomy(PAH-lee-PEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove a polyp.
polyphenol(PAH-lee-FEE-nol) A substance that is found in many plants and gives some flowers, fruits, and vegetables their color.
Polyphenon E(PAH-lee-FEE-nun ...) A substance being studied in the prevention of cancer. It is made from decaffeinated green tea, and contains chemicals called…
polyposis(PAH-lee-POH-sis) The development of numerous polyps (growths that protrude from a mucous membrane).
polysaccharide(PAH-lee-SA-kuh-ride) A large carbohydrate molecule. It contains many small sugar molecules that are joined chemically. Also called glycan.
polysomnogram(PAH-lee-SOM-noh-gram) A group of recordings taken during sleep that shows brain wave changes, eye movements, breathing rate, blood pressure, heart rate…
Polyuria(Hydruria.) Excessive excretion or discharge of urine.
polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel(PAH-lee-VY-nil-py-ROL-ih-done-SOH-dee-um HY-uh-LOO-roh-nayt ...) A gel used to lessen pain from mouth sores caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy…
pomalidomide(POH-muh-LIH-doh-mide) A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and other types of cancer.
pomegranateA subtropical shrub or tree. Juice from the fruit may contain substances that decrease or slow the rise of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
ponsPart of the central nervous system, located at the base of the brain, between the medulla oblongata and the midbrain. It is part of the brainstem.
pontineHaving to do with the pons (part of the central nervous system, located at the base of the brain, between the medulla oblongata and the midbrain).
population study(PAH-pyoo-LAY-shun ...) A study of a group of individuals taken from the general population who share a common characteristic, such as age, sex, or health…
porcine(POR-sine) Having to do with or coming from pigs.
porfimer sodium(PORE-fih-mer SOH-dee-um) A drug used to treat some types of cancer. When absorbed by cancer cells and exposed to light, porfimer sodium becomes active…
porfiromycinA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called anticancer antibiotics.
PortAn implanted device through which blood may be withdrawn and drugs may be infused without repeated needle sticks. Also called port-a-cath.
port-a-cathAn implanted device through which blood may be withdrawn and drugs may be infused without repeated needle sticks. Also called port.
portal hypertension(PAW-til HY-per-TEN-shun) High blood pressure in the vein that carries blood to the liver from the stomach, small and large intestines, spleen, pancreas…
portal veinA blood vessel that carries blood to the liver from the stomach, small and large intestines, spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder.
Positive(poz'ih-tiv) having a value greater than zero; indicating existence or presence of a condition, organism, etc.
positive axillary lymph node(PAH-zih-tiv AK-suh-LAYR-ee limf ...) A lymph node in the area of the armpit (axilla) to which cancer has spread.
positive test result(PAH-zih-tiv ... reh-ZULT) A test result that reveals the presence of a specific disease or condition for which the test is being done.
positron emission tomography scan(PAH-zih-tron ee-MIH-shun toh-MAH-gruh-fee skan) A procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner…
post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder(POST-tranz-plant LIM-foh-proh-LIH-fuh-RUH-tiv dis-OR-der) A condition in which a group of B-cells grow out of control after an organ transplant in…
post-traumatic stress disorder(POST-traw-MA-tik stres dis-OR-der) An anxiety disorder that develops in reaction to physical injury or severe mental or emotional distress, such as…
posterior(pos-TEER-ee-er) In human anatomy, has to do with the back of a structure, or a structure found toward the back of the body.
posterior pelvic exenteration(pah-STEER-ee-er PEL-vik ek-ZEN-ter-AY-shun) Surgery to remove the lower part of the bowel, rectum, uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and vagina.
posterior urethral cancer(pos-TEER-ee-er yoo-REE-thrul KAN-ser) A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the part of the urethra (the tube through which urine…
Postmenopausal(post-MEH-nuh-pawz-ul) Having to do with the time after menopause. Menopause ("change of life") is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods stop…
PostmortemAfter death. Often used to describe an autopsy.
postremission therapy(...ree-MIH-shun THAYR-uh-pee) Anticancer drugs given to kill cancer cells that survive after remission induction therapy.
potassium(po-TASS-ee-um) A metallic element that is important in body functions such as regulation of blood pressure and of water content in cells, transmission of…
potassium hydroxideA toxic and highly corrosive chemical used to make soap, in bleaching, and as a paint remover.
potentiationIn medicine, the effect of increasing the potency or effectiveness of a drug or other treatment.
Power of AttorneyA written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney.
pPNETA type of cancer that forms in bone or soft tissue. Also called Ewing sarcoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor.
PRDescribes cells that do not have a protein to which the hormone progesterone will bind.
PR-104A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. PR-104 becomes active when cancer cells don't receive enough oxygen.
practitioner(prak-TIH-shuh-ner) A person who works in a specific profession. For example, a doctor or nurse is a healthcare practitioner.
Pravachol(PRA-vuh-KOL) A drug used to lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood and to prevent stroke and heart attack.
pravastatin(PRA-vuh-stat-in) The active ingredient in a drug used to lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood and to prevent stroke and heart attack.
pravastatin sodium(PRA-vuh-stat-in SOH-dee-um) A drug used to lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood and to prevent stroke and heart attack.
precancerous(pre-KAN-ser-us) A term used to describe a condition that may (or is likely to) become cancer. Also called premalignant.
precancerous dermatitis(pree-KAN-seh-rus DER-muh-TY-tis) A skin disease marked by scaly or thickened patches on the skin and often caused by prolonged exposure to arsenic.
precancerous dermatosis(pree-KAN-seh-rus DER-muh-TOH-sis) A skin disease marked by scaly or thickened patches on the skin, and often caused by prolonged exposure to arsenic.
precancerous polyps(pree-KAN-seh-rus PAH-lips) Growths that protrude from a mucous membrane. Precancerous polyps may (or are likely to) become cancer.
preclinical studyResearch using animals to find out if a drug, procedure, or treatment is likely to be useful.
precursor B-lymphoblastic leukemia(pree-KER-ser B-LIM-foh-BLAS-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many B-cell lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are…
precursor lymphoblastic lymphoma(pree-KER-ser LIM-foh-BLAS-tik lim-FOH-muh) An aggressive (fast-growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in which too many lymphoblasts (immature white blood…
precursor T-lymphoblastic leukemia(pree-KER-ser T-LIM-foh-BLAS-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh) A type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many T-cell lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are…
precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma(pree-KER-ser T-LIM-foh-BLAS-tik lim-FOH-muh) A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in which too many T-cell lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are found…
predictive factor(prih-DIK-tiv FAK-ter) A situation or condition that may increase a person's risk of developing a certain disease or disorder.
prednisoloneA drug that is used to treat blood cell cancers (leukemias) and lymph system cancers (lymphomas).
prednisone(PRED-nih-sone) A drug that is used to treat several types of cancer and other disorders. Prednisone also inhibits the body's immune response.
pregabalin(preh-GAH-buh-lin) A drug used to treat nerve pain caused by diabetes or herpes zoster infection and certain types of seizures.
preleukemia(PREE-loo-KEE-mee-a) A group of diseases in which the bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells.
premalignant(pree-muh-LIG-nunt) A term used to describe a condition that may (or is likely to) become cancer. Also called precancerous.
premature ovarian failure(PREE-muh-CHOOR oh-VAYR-ee-un FAYL-yer) A condition in which the ovaries stop working before age 40.
Premenopausal(pree-MEH-nuh-pawz-ul) Having to do with the time before menopause. Menopause ("change of life") is the time of life when a woman's menstrual periods stop…
premycotic phase(PREE-my-CAH-tik fayz) A phase of mycosis fungoides in which a patient has areas of red, scaly, itchy skin on areas of the body that are usually not…
PrescriptionA direction written by the physician to the pharmacist for the preparation and use of a medicine or remedy.
Prescription Drug AbuseThe use of a medication without a prescription; in a way other than as prescribed; or for the experience or feeling elicited.
PrevalenceThe total number of persons in a defined population living with a specific disease or condition at a given time (compared to incidence, which is the…
Prevalence RateThe proportion of a population that has a particular condition at any given time, whether as a new or chronic case.
Prevalence, CompleteThe number of people alive on a certain date who have been diagnosed with cancer at any time in their lives.
Prevalence, Limited DurationThe number of people who have received a diagnosis of cancer during a defined time period, and who are alive on the last day of that period.
prevascular space(pre-VAS-kyoo-ler...) The area in the front part of the chest between the lungs. Also called anterior mediastinum.
PreventionActivities to prevent illness such as routine check-ups, immunizations, patient counseling, and screenings.
PreventiveUnder the law, all health plans must cover certain preventive health services. Routine health care that includes screenings, checkups, and patient…
preventive mastectomy(pree-VEN-tiv ma-STEK-toh-mee) Surgery to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by removing one or both breasts before disease develops.
Prialt(PREE-ult) A drug used in the treatment of chronic pain. Also called SNX 111 and ziconotide.
PrimaquineA drug used against malaria for the prevention of P. vivax or for the eradication of the hypnozoites of P. vivax and P. ovale.
Primary CareHealth services that cover a range of prevention, wellness, and treatment for common illnesses.
primary care doctorA doctor who manages a person's health care over time. A primary care doctor is able to give a wide range of care, including prevention and treatment, can…
primary central nervous system lymphoma(PRY-mayr-ee SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem lim-FOH-muh) Cancer that forms in the lymph tissue of the brain, spinal cord, meninges (outer covering of the…
primary CNS lymphoma(PRY-mayr-eeâ¦lim-FOH-muh) Cancer that forms in the lymph tissue of the brain, spinal cord, meninges (outer covering of the brain), or eye…
primary effusion lymphoma(PRY-mayr-ee eh-FYOO-zhun lim-FOH-muh) A rare, aggressive (fast-growing) type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by an abnormal build-up of fluids in a…