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Cancer Resources

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1

10-propargyl-10-deazaaminopterin
A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called folate analogues.

12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate
TPA. A drug that is being studied as a treatment for hematologic cancer.

17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxy geldanamycin
A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics.

1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
A noninvasive imaging method of detecting and measuring activity at the cellular level. It provides chemical information and is used in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which gives spatial information. Also called proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging.

2

2-methoxyestradiol
2ME2. A drug derived from estrogen that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors. It prevents the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need in order to grow.

2IT-BAD monoclonal antibody 170
A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells.

3

3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone
3-AP. A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors.

3-AP
3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors.

3-dimensional
3-D. A graphic display of depth, width, and height.

5

5-FU
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites. Also called fluorouracil.

506U78
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.

5Q- syndrome
5Q minus syndrome. A rare disorder caused by loss of part of the long arm (Q arm) of human chromosome 5. This syndrome affects myeloid (bone marrow) cells, causing treatment-resistant anemia, and myelodysplastic syndromes that may lead to acute myelogenous leukemia.

9

9-cis retinoic acid
A drug being studied for cancer prevention. It belongs to the family of drugs called retinoids.

90Y-DOTA-biotin
A radioactive substance (yttrium-90) joined by a large chemical link (DOTA) to biotin, a vitamin.

A

A33 monoclonal antibody
A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells.

abdomen
The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestine, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

abdominal
Having to do with the abdomen, which is the part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

abscess
An enclosed collection of pus in tissues, organs, or confined spaces in the body. An abscess is a sign of infection and is usually swollen and inflamed.

accelerated phase
Refers to chronic myelogenous leukemia that is progressing. The number of immature, abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood is higher than in the chronic phase but not as high as in the blast phase.

acetaminophen
A drug that reduces pain and fever (but not inflammation). It belongs to the family of drugs called analgesics.

acetylcysteine
A 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. Also called N-acetyl-L-cysteine.

achlorhydria
A lack of hydrochloric acid in the digestive juices in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid helps digest food.

acitretin
A drug used in cancer prevention that belongs to the family of drugs called retinoids. It is also used in the treatment of psoriasis.

acoustic
Having to do with sound or hearing.

acridine carboxamide
DACA. A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.

actinic keratosis
A precancerous condition of thick, scaly patches of skin. Also called solar or senile keratosis.

acupressure
The application of pressure or localized massage to specific sites on the body to control symptoms such as pain or nausea. Also used to stop bleeding.

acupuncture
The technique of inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain and other symptoms.

acustimulation
Mild electrical stimulation of acupuncture points to control symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

acute
Having an abrupt onset of symptoms and a short course; not chronic.

acute leukemia
A rapidly progressing cancer of the blood-forming tissue (bone marrow).

acute lymphoblastic leukemia
ALL. A quickly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells called lymphoblasts are found in the blood and bone marrow. Also called acute lymphocytic leukemia.

acute lymphocytic leukemia
ALL. A quickly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells called lymphoblasts are found in the blood and bone marrow. Also called acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

acute myelogenous leukemia
AML. A quickly progressing disease in which too many immature blood-forming cells are found in the blood and bone marrow. Also called acute myeloid leukemia or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

acute myeloid leukemia
AML. A quickly progressing disease in which too many immature blood-forming cells are found in the blood and bone marrow. Also called acute myelogenous leukemia or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

acute nonlymphocytic leukemia
A quickly progressing disease in which too many immature blood-forming cells are found in the blood and bone marrow. Also called acute myeloid leukemia or acute myelogenous leukemia.

acyclovir
An antiviral agent used to prevent or treat cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex infections that may occur when the body is immunosuppressed.

AD 32
An anticancer drug that belongs to a family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics. It is an anthracycline.

adenocarcinoma
Cancer that begins in cells that line certain internal organs and that have glandular (secretory) properties.

adenoid cystic cancer
A rare type of cancer that usually begins in the salivary glands.

adenoma
A noncancerous tumor.

adenosine triphosphate
ATP. A substance present in all living cells that provides energy for many metabolic processes and is involved in making RNA. ATP made in the laboratory is being studied in patients with advanced solid tumors to see if it can decrease weight loss and improve muscle strength.

adenovirus
A group of viruses that cause respiratory tract and eye infections. Adenoviruses used in gene therapy are altered to carry a specific tumor-fighting gene.

adjuvant therapy
Treatment given after the primary treatment to increase the chances of a cure. Adjuvant therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy.

adrenal glands
A pair of small glands, one located on top of each kidney. They produce steroid hormones, adrenaline and noradrenaline, which help control heart rate, blood pressure, and other important body functions.

adrenaline
A hormone and neurotransmitter. Also called epinephrine.

adverse effect
An unwanted side effect of treatment.

AE-941
A substance made from shark cartilage that is being studied for its ability to prevent the growth of new blood vessels to solid tumors. It belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors.

aerodigestive tract
The combined organs and tissues of the respiratory tract and the upper part of the digestive tract (including the lips, mouth, tongue, nose, throat, vocal cords, and part of the esophagus and windpipe).

aflatoxins
Harmful substances made by certain types of mold (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus) that are often found on poorly stored grains and nuts. Consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxins is a risk factor for primary liver cancer.

AFP
Alpha-fetoprotein. A protein normally produced by a developing fetus. AFP levels are usually undetectable in the blood of healthy nonpregnant adults. An elevated level of AFP suggests the presence of either a primary liver cancer or germ cell tumor.

AG2037
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called glycinamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase inhibitors.

AG3340
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors. AG3340 is a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor. Also called prinomastat.

aggressive
A quickly growing cancer.

aggressive lymphoma
A quickly growing cancer that arises in the cells of the lymphatic system.

agonists
Drugs that trigger an action from a cell or another drug.

agranulocyte
A type of white blood cell; monocytes and lymphocytes are agranulocytes.

AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. An acquired defect in immune system function caused by human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1). AIDS is associated with increased susceptibility to certain cancers and to opportunistic infections, which are infections that occur rarely except in individuals with weak immune systems.

aldesleukin
A laboratory-made colony-stimulating factor that stimulates the production of blood cells, especially platelets, during chemotherapy. It is a cytokine that belongs to the family of drugs called hematopoietic (blood-forming) agents. Also called interleukin-2 or IL-2.

alemtuzumab
A monoclonal antibody used to treat leukemia. Monoclonal antibodies are made in the laboratory. They can find cancer cells and bind to them. Also called Campath-1H.

alendronate sodium
A drug that affects bone metabolism. It is used in treating osteoporosis and Paget's disease, and is being studied in the treatment of hypercalcemia (abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood) and in treating and reducing the risk of bone pain caused by cancer. Alendronate sodium belongs to the family of drugs called bisphosphonates.

alkylating agents
A family of anticancer drugs that interferes with the cell's DNA and inhibits cancer cell growth.

allogeneic
Taken from different individuals of the same species. Also called allogenic.

allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
A procedure in which a person receives stem cells, the cells from which all blood cells develop, from a compatible, though not genetically identical, donor.

allopurinol
A drug that lowers high levels of uric acid (a byproduct of metabolism) in the blood caused by some cancer treatments.

Allovectin-7
A substance that is being studied as a gene therapy agent for the treatment of cancer. It increases the ability of the immune system to recognize cancer cells and kill them.

alpha-fetoprotein
AFP. A protein normally produced by a fetus. AFP levels are usually undetectable in the blood of healthy adult men or women (who are not pregnant). An elevated level of AFP suggests the presence of either a primary liver cancer or germ cell tumor.

alternative medicine
Practices not generally recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches and used instead of standard treatments. Alternative medicine includes the taking of dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, and herbal preparations; the drinking of special teas; and practices such as massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation.

altretamine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.

alum
A type of immune adjuvant (a substance used to help boost the immune response to a vaccine). Also called aluminum sulfate.

ALVAC-CEA vaccine
A cancer vaccine containing a canary pox virus (ALVAC) combined with the human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene.

alveoli
Tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles in the lungs.

amifostine
A drug used as a chemoprotective drug to control some of the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

amikacin
An antibiotic drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called aminoglycoside antibiotics.

aminocamptothecin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.

aminoglutethimide
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors. Aminoglutethimide is used to decrease the production of sex hormones (estrogen or testosterone) and suppress the growth of tumors that need sex hormones to grow.

aminoglycoside antibiotics
A family of antibiotics that works against many types of bacteria and includes streptomycin, gentamicin, and neomycin. Aminoglycosides are used to treat bacterial infections.

aminolevulinic acid
A drug used in photodynamic therapy that is absorbed by tumor cells; when exposed to light, it becomes active and kills the cancer cells.

aminopterin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.

amoxicillin
An antibiotic drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called penicillins or penicillin derivatives.

amphotericin B
An antifungal drug used to treat infection.

amputation
Surgery to remove part or all of a limb or appendage.

amsacrine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.

amylase
An enzyme that helps the body digest starches.

amyloidosis
A group of diseases in which protein is deposited in specific organs (localized amyloidosis) or throughout the body (systemic amyloidosis). Amyloidosis may be either primary (with no known cause) or secondary (caused by another disease, including some types of cancer). Generally, primary amyloidosis affects the nerves, skin, tongue, joints, heart, and liver; secondary amyloidosis often affects the spleen, kidneys, liver, and adrenal glands.

analgesics
Drugs that reduce pain. These drugs include aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.

analog
In chemistry, a substance that is similar, but not identical, to another.

anaplastic
A term used to describe cancer cells that divide rapidly and bear little or no resemblance to normal cells.

anaplastic large cell lymphoma
A rare aggressive form of lymphoma (cancer that begins in cells of the lymphatic system) that is usually of T-cell origin.

anastomosis
A procedure to connect healthy sections of tubular structures in the body after the diseased portion has been surgically removed.

anastrozole
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors. Anastrozole is used to decrease estrogen production and suppress the growth of tumors that need estrogen to grow.

androgen suppression
Treatment to suppress or block the production of male hormones. Androgen suppression is achieved by surgical removal of the testicles, by taking female sex hormones, or by taking other drugs, antiandrogens. Also called androgen ablation.

androgens
A family of hormones that promote the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics.

anemia
A condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal.

anesthesia
Drugs or substances that cause loss of feeling or awareness. Local anesthetics cause loss of feeling in a part of the body. General anesthetics put the person to sleep.

anesthetics
Substances that cause loss of feeling or awareness. Local anesthetics cause loss of feeling in a part of the body. General anesthetics put the person to sleep.

anetholtrithione
A drug that may reduce the risk of development or progression of cancer.

angiogenesis
Blood vessel formation. Tumor angiogenesis is the growth of blood vessels from surrounding tissue to a solid tumor. This is caused by the release of chemicals by the tumor.

angiogenesis inhibitor
A substance that may prevent the formation of blood vessels. In anticancer therapy, an angiogenesis inhibitor prevents the growth of blood vessels from surrounding tissue to a solid tumor.

angiogram
An x-ray of blood vessels; the person receives an injection of dye to outline the vessels on the x-ray.

angiography
A procedure to x-ray blood vessels. The blood vessels can be seen because of an injection of a dye that shows up in the x-ray pictures.

angiosarcoma
A type of cancer that begins in the lining of blood vessels.

anhydrovinblastine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called mitotic inhibitors.

annamycin
A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called anthracycline antibiotics.

ansamycins
A group of anticancer drugs that belongs to the family of drugs called antineoplastic antibiotics.

anterior mediastinotomy
A procedure in which a tube is inserted into the chest to view the tissues and organs in the area between the lungs and between the breastbone and heart. The tube is inserted through an incision next to the breastbone. This procedure is usually used to get a tissue sample from the lymph nodes on the left side of the chest. Also called the Chamberlain procedure.

anthracenediones
A subgroup of the family of anticancer drugs called anticancer antibiotics.

anthracycline
A member of a family of anticancer drugs that are also antibiotics.

anthraquinones
A family of anticancer drugs.

anti-CEA antibody
An antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a protein present on certain types of cancer cells.

anti-idiotype vaccine
A vaccine made of antibodies that see other antibodies as the antigen and bind to it. Anti-idiotype vaccines can stimulate the body to produce antibodies against tumor cells.

antiandrogen therapy
Treatment with drugs used to block production or interfere with the action of male sex hormones.

antiandrogens
Drugs used to block the production or interfere with the action of male sex hormones.

antiangiogenesis
Prevention of the growth of new blood vessels.

antibiotic
A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms.

antibody
A type of protein made by certain white blood cells in response to a foreign substance (antigen). Each antibody can bind to only a specific antigen. The purpose of this binding is to help destroy the antigen. Antibodies can work in several ways, depending on the nature of the antigen. Some antibodies destroy antigens directly. Others make it easier for white blood cells to destroy the antigen.

antibody therapy
Treatment with an antibody, a substance that can directly kill specific tumor cells or stimulate the immune system to kill tumor cells.

anticancer antibiotics
A group of anticancer drugs that block cell growth by interfering with DNA, the genetic material in cells. Also called antitumor antibiotics or antineoplastic antibiotics.

anticoagulant
A drug that helps prevent blood clots from forming. Also called a blood thinner.

anticonvulsants
Drugs that prevent, reduce, or stop convulsions or seizures.

antiemetics
Drugs that prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting.

antiestrogen
A substance that blocks the activity of estrogens, the family of hormones that promote the development and maintenance of female sex characteristics.

antifolate
A substance that blocks the activity of folic acid. Antifolates are used to treat cancer. Also called folate antagonist.

antifungals
Drugs that treat infections caused by fungi.

antigen-presenting cell
APC. A cell that shows antigen on its surface to other cells of the immune system. This is an important part of an immune response.

antigen-presenting cell vaccine
A vaccine made of antigens and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Also called APC vaccine.

antigens
Substances that cause the immune system to make a specific immune response.

antimetabolite
A drug that is very similar to natural chemicals in a normal biochemical reaction in cells but different enough to interfere with the normal division and functions of cells.

antineoplastic
A substance that blocks the formation of neoplasms (growths that may become cancerous).

antineoplastic antibiotics
A group of anticancer drugs that block cell growth by interfering with DNA, the genetic material in cells. Also called anticancer antibiotics or antitumor antibiotics.

antineoplastons
Substances isolated from normal human blood and urine being tested as a type of treatment for some tumors and AIDS.

antiparasitics
Drugs used to treat bacterial and parasitic infections and some cancers.

antisense c-fos
Synthetic genetic material that may slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.

antithymocyte globulin
A protein used to reduce the risk of or to treat graft-versus-host disease.

antivirals
Drugs used to treat infections caused by viruses.

anus
The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.

APC vaccine
A vaccine made of antigens and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Also called antigen-presenting cell vaccine.

APC8015
Immune system cells that are collected from a patient with prostate cancer and treated in the laboratory with a molecule found on prostate cells. The treated cells are being studied for their ability to stimulate the immune system to kill prostate cancer cells.

aplastic anemia
A condition in which the bone marrow is unable to produce blood cells.

aplidine
An anticancer drug obtained from a marine animal.

apolizumab
A type of monoclonal antibody that is being studied as a treatment for hematologic (blood) cancers.

apoptosis
A normal series of events in a cell that leads to its death.

appendix
A small, fingerlike pouch that sticks out from the cecum (the first part of the large intestine near the end of the small intestine).

areola
The area of dark-colored skin on the breast that surrounds the nipple.

arginine butyrate
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer.

arsenic trioxide
A substance that induces programmed cell death (apoptosis) in certain cancer cells. It belongs to the family of drugs called antineoplastics.

asbestos
A natural material that is made up of tiny fibers. The fibers can cause cancer.

ascites
Abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen.

asparaginase
An enzyme used in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antineoplastics.

aspergillosis
An infectious fungal disease that occurs most often in the skin, ears, nasal sinuses, and lungs of people with suppressed immune systems.

aspirate
Fluid withdrawn from a lump, often a cyst, or a nipple.

aspiration
Removal of fluid from a lump, often a cyst, with a needle and a syringe.

aspirin
A drug that reduces pain, fever, inflammation, and blood clotting. Aspirin belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. It is also being studied in cancer prevention.

asthenia
Weakness; lack of energy and strength.

astrocytoma
A tumor that begins in the brain or spinal cord in small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes.

asymptomatic
Having no signs or symptoms of disease.

atamestane
A drug being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antiestrogens. Atamestane blocks the production of the hormone estrogen in the body.

ataxic gait
Awkward, uncoordinated walking.

ATP
Adenosine triphosphate. A substance present in all living cells that provides energy for many metabolic processes and is involved in making RNA. ATP made in the laboratory is being studied in patients with advanced solid tumors to see if it can decrease weight loss and improve muscle strength.

atrasentan
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer . It belongs to the family of drugs called endothelin-1 protein receptor antagonists.

atypical hyperplasia
A benign (noncancerous) condition in which cells have abnormal features and are increased in number.

autoimmune disease
A condition in which the body recognizes its own tissues as foreign and directs an immune response against them.

autologous
Taken from an individual's own tissues, cells, or DNA.

autologous bone marrow transplantation
A procedure in which bone marrow is removed from a person, stored, and then given back to the person after intensive treatment.

autologous lymphocytes
A person's white blood cells. Lymphocytes have a number of roles in the immune system, including the production of antibodies and other substances that fight infection and disease.

autologous tumor cells
Cancer cells from an individual's own tumor.

axilla
The underarm or armpit.

axillary
Pertaining to the armpit area, including the lymph nodes that are located there.

axillary dissection
Surgery to remove lymph nodes found in the armpit region. Also called axillary lymph node dissection.

axillary lymph node dissection
Surgery to remove lymph nodes found in the armpit region. Also called axillary dissection.

axillary lymph nodes
Lymph nodes found in the armpit that drain the lymph channels from the breast.

azacitidine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.

B

B cells
White blood cells that make antibodies and are an important part of the immune system. B cells come from bone marrow. Also called B lymphocytes.

B lymphocytes
White blood cells that make antibodies and are an important part of the immune system. B lymphocytes come from bone marrow. Also called B cells.

B3 antigen
A protein found on some tumor cells.

B43-BAP immunotoxin
A toxic substance linked to an antibody that attaches to tumor cells and kills them.

B7-1
A molecule that helps control immune responses in the body. B7-1 is involved in stimulating T-cells.

bacterial toxin
A toxic substance, made by bacteria, that can be modified to kill specific tumor cells without harming normal cells.

barium enema
A procedure in which a liquid with barium in it is put into the rectum and colon by way of the anus. Barium is a silver-white metallic compound that helps to show the image of the lower gastrointestinal tract on an x-ray.

barium solution
A liquid containing barium sulfate that is used in x-rays to highlight parts of the digestive system.

barium swallow
A series of x-rays of the esophagus. The x-ray pictures are taken after the person drinks a solution that contains barium. The barium coats and outlines the esophagus on the x-ray. Also called an esophagram.

Barrett's esophagus
A condition in which the cells lining the lower part of the esophagus have changed or been replaced with abnormal cells that could lead to cancer of the esophagus. The backing up of stomach contents (reflux) may irritate the esophagus and, over time, cause Barrett's esophagus.

basal cell carcinoma
A type of skin cancer that arises from the basal cells, small round cells found in the lower part (or base) of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin.

basal cells
Small, round cells found in the lower part (or base) of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin.

basophil
A type of white blood cell. Basophils are granulocytes.

batimastat
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors. Batimastat is a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor.

BAY 12-9566
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors.

BBR 3464
A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of platinum-based drugs.

BCG
Bacillus Calmette Gu豩n. A type of bacteria used in cancer treatment to stimulate the immune system. It is also used to vaccinate against tuberculosis.

beclomethasone
A drug being studied in the treatment of graft-versus-host disease. It belongs to a family of drugs called corticosteroids.

Bellini duct carcinoma
BDC. A rare type of kidney cancer that grows and spreads quickly. It begins in the duct of Bellini in the kidney.

benign
Not cancerous; does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.

benign proliferative breast disease
A group of noncancerous conditions that may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Examples include ductal hyperplasia, lobular hyperplasia, and papillomas.

benign prostatic hyperplasia
BPH. A benign (noncancerous) condition in which an overgrowth of prostate tissue pushes against the urethra and the bladder, blocking the flow of urine. Also called benign prostatic hypertrophy.

benign tumor
A noncancerous growth that does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.

benzoylphenylurea
BPU. A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called antitubulin agents.

Beriplast P
A substance used in surgical wound healing to cause a blood clot to form. It consists of blood-clotting factors found naturally in human blood.

beta alethine
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to a family of chemicals called disulfides.

beta carotene
A vitamin A precursor. Beta carotene belongs to the family of fat-soluble vitamins called carotenoids.

bevacizumab
A monoclonal antibody that may prevent the growth of blood vessels from surounding tissue to a solid tumor.

bexarotene
An anticancer drug used to decrease the growth of some types of cancer cells. Also called LGD1069.

Biafine cream
A topical preparation to reduce the risk of, and treat skin reactions to, radiation therapy.

BIBX 1382
A drug that may inhibit tumor cells from multiplying. It is being studied for its ability to treat cancer.

bicalutamide
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antiandrogens.

bilateral
Affecting both the right and left sides of the body.

bilateral cancer
Cancer that occurs in both paired organs, such as both breasts or both ovaries.

bile
A fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile is excreted into the small intestine, where it helps digest fat.

bile duct
A tube through which bile passes in and out of the liver.

biliary
Having to do with the liver, bile ducts, and/or gallbladder.

biological response modifier
BRM. A substance that can improve the body's natural response to infection and disease. Some BRMs may act directly on cancer cells to block their growth.

biological therapy
Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease. Some biological therapy agents may act directly on cancer cells to block

biomarkers
A substance sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood, other body fluids, or tissues and which may mean that a certain type of cancer is in the body. Examples of biomarkers include CA 125 (ovarian cancer), CA 15-3 (breast cancer), CEA (ovarian, lung, breast, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract cancers), and PSA (prostate cancer). Also called tumor markers.

Biomed 101
A substance that is being studied for its ability to decrease the side effects of interleukin-2 (IL-2).

biopsy
The removal of cells or tissues for examination under a microscope. When only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy or core biopsy. When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy or fine-needle aspiration.

biopsy specimen
Tissue removed from the body and examined under a microscope to determine whether disease is present.

bispecific antibodies
Antibodies developed in the laboratory to recognize more than one protein on the surface of different cells. Examples include bispecific antibodies 2B1, 520C9xH22, mDX-H210, and MDX447.

bisphosphonates
A family of drugs used to treat osteoporosis and the bone pain caused by some types of cancer. Also called diphosphonates.

bizelesin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents. It is also an antitumor antibiotic.

BL22 immunotoxin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called bacterial immunotoxins. BL22 is a bacterial toxic substance linked to an antibody that attaches to tumor cells and kills them.

bladder
The organ that stores urine.

blast crisis
The phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia in which the number of immature, abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood is extremely high. Also called blast phase.

blast phase
The phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia in which the number of immature, abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood is extremely high. Also called blast crisis.

blasts
Immature blood cells.

bleomycin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics.

blood transfusion
The administration of blood or blood products into a blood vessel.

blood vessel
A tube through which the blood circulates in the body. Blood vessels include a network of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins.

blood-brain barrier
A network of blood vessels with closely spaced cells that makes it difficult for potentially toxic substances (such as anticancer drugs) to penetrate the blood vessel walls and enter the brain.

BMS-182751
A platinum compound used in chemotherapy.

BMS-184476
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called mitotic inhibitors.

BMS-188797
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer.

BMS-214662
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer.

BMS-247550
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer.

BMS-275291
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs).

bolus
A single dose of drug usually injected into a blood vessel over a short period of time. Also called bolus infusion.

bolus infusion
A single dose of drug usually injected into a blood vessel over a short period of time. Also called bolus.

bone marrow
The soft, sponge-like tissue in the center of bones that produces white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

bone marrow ablation
The destruction of bone marrow using radiation or drugs.

bone marrow aspiration
The removal of a small sample of bone marrow (usually from the hip) through a needle for examination under a microscope.

bone marrow biopsy
The removal of a sample of tissue from the bone marrow with a needle for examination under a microscope.

bone marrow metastases
Cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the bone marrow.

bone marrow transplantation
A procedure to replace bone marrow destroyed by treatment with high doses of anticancer drugs or radiation. Transplantation may be autologous (an individual's own marrow saved before treatment), allogeneic (marrow donated by someone else), or syngeneic (marrow donated by an identical twin).

bone metastases
Cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the bone.

bone scan
A technique to create images of bones on a computer screen or on film. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into a blood vessel and travels through the bloodstream; it collects in the bones and is detected by a scanner.

boron neutron capture therapy
A type of radiation therapy. The person is given an intravenous infusion containing the element boron, which concentrates in the tumor cells. The person then receives radiation therapy with atomic particles called neutrons from a small research nuclear reactor. The radiation is absorbed by the boron, killing the tumor cells without harming normal cells.

bowel
The long tube-shaped organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion. There is both a small and a large bowel. Also called the intestine.

brachytherapy
A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor. Also called internal radiation, implant radiation, or interstitial radiation therapy.

brain metastases
Cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the brain.

brain stem
The part of the brain that is connected to the spinal cord.

brain stem glioma
A tumor located in the part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord (the brain stem). It may grow rapidly or slowly, depending on the grade of the tumor.

brain stem tumor
A tumor in the part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord (the brain stem).

BRCA1
A gene on chromosome 17 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits an altered version of the BRCA1 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer.

BRCA2
A gene on chromosome 13 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits an altered version of the BRCA2 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer.

breakthrough pain
Intense increases in pain that occur with rapid onset even when pain- control medication is being used. Breakthrough pain can occur spontaneously or in relation to a specific activity.

breast reconstruction
Surgery to rebuild a breast's shape after a mastectomy.

breast-conserving surgery
An operation to remove the breast cancer but not the breast itself. Types of breast-conserving surgery include lumpectomy (removal of the lump), quadrantectomy (removal of one quarter of the breast), and segmental mastectomy (removal of the cancer as well as some of the breast tissue around the tumor and the lining over the chest muscles below the tumor).

Brief Pain Inventory
A questionnaire used to measure pain.

bronchi
The large air passages that lead from the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs.

bronchioles
The tiny branches of air tubes in the lungs.

bronchitis
Inflammation (swelling and reddening) of the bronchi.

bronchoscope
A thin, lighted tube used to examine the inside of the trachea and bronchi, the air passages that lead to the lungs.

bronchoscopy
A procedure in which a thin, lighted tube is inserted through the nose or mouth. This allows examination of the inside of the trachea and bronchi (air passages that lead to the lung), as well as the lung. Bronchoscopy may be used to detect cancer or to perform some treatment procedures.

bronchus
A large air passage that leads from the trachea (windpipe) to the lung.

broxuridine
A drug that makes cancer cells more sensitive to radiation and is also used as a diagnostic agent to determine how fast cancer cells grow.

bryostatin 1
A drug used for its antitumor activity.

buccal mucosa
The inner lining of the cheeks and lips.

budesonide
A steroid being studied as an anticancer drug. Budesonide is commonly used to treat asthma and rhinitis.

bupropion
A substance that is used to treat depression, and to help people quit smoking. It belongs to the family of drugs called antidepressants.

Burkitt's lymphoma
A type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that most often occurs in young people aged 12-30 years. The disease usually causes a rapidly growing tumor in the abdomen.

buserelin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormones. In prostate cancer therapy, buserelin blocks the production of testosterone in the testicles.

busulfan
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.

buthionine sulfoximine
A drug that may help prevent resistance to some anticancer drugs.

bypass
A surgical procedure in which the doctor creates a new pathway for the flow of body fluids.

C

c-erbB-2
The gene that controls cell growth by making the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Also called HER2/neu.

CA 125
A substance sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood, other body fluids, or tissues and that may suggest the presence of some types of cancer.

calcitonin
A hormone formed by the C cells of the thyroid gland. It helps maintain a healthy level of calcium in the blood. When the calcium level is too high, calcitonin lowers it.

calcitriol
The active form of vitamin D. Calcitriol is formed in the kidneys or made in the laboratory. It is used as a drug to increase calcium levels in the body in order to treat skeletal and tissue-related calcium deficiencies caused by kidney or thyroid disorders.

calcium
A mineral found in teeth, bones, and other body tissues.

calcium carbonate
A mineral taken primarily as a supplement to prevent osteoporosis. It is also being studied for cancer prevention.

camptothecin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.

camptothecin analogue
An anticancer drug related in structure to camptothecin, a topoisomerase inhibitor. One such drug is aminocamptothecin.

cancer
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

cancer of unknown primary origin
A case in which cancer cells are found in the body, but the place where the cells first started growing (the origin or primary site) cannot be determined.

cancer vaccine
A vaccine designed to prevent or treat cancer.

Candidiasis
A condition in which Candida albicans, a type of yeast, grows out of control in moist skin areas of the body. It is usually a result of a weakened immune system, but can be a side effect of chemotherapy or treatment with antibiotics. Thrush usually affects the mouth (oral thrush); however, rarely, it spreads throughout the entire body. Also called Candidosis or thrush.

Candidosis
A condition in which Candida albicans, a type of yeast, grows out of control in moist skin areas of the body. It is usually a result of a weakened immune system, but can be a side effect of chemotherapy or treatment with antibiotics. Thrush usually affects the mouth (oral thrush); however, rarely, it spreads throughout the entire body. Also called Candidiasis or thrush.

capecitabine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.

capsaicin
A component of certain plants, including cayenne and red pepper, used topically for peripheral nerve pain. Also being studied for controlling mucositis pain after chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

captopril
A drug used to lower high blood pressure. It belongs to the family of drugs called ACE inhibitors.

carbendazim
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antifungal agents.

carbogen
An inhalant of oxygen and carbon dioxide that increases the sensitivity of tumor cells to the effects of radiation therapy.

carboplatin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called platinum compounds.

carboxyamidotriazole
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors.

carboxypeptidase-G2
A bacterial enzyme that belongs to the family of drugs called chemoprotective agents. It is used to neutralize the toxic effects of methotrexate.

carcinoembryonic antigen peptide-1
CAP-1. A protein that can stimulate an immune response to certain tumors.

carcinogen
Any substance that causes cancer.

carcinogenesis
The process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells.

carcinoma
Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

carcinoma in situ
Cancer that involves only the cells in which it began and that has not spread to neighboring tissues.

cardiac
Having to do with the heart.

cardiopulmonary
Having to do with the heart and lungs.

carmustine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.

carotenoids
Substance found in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables and in dark green, leafy vegetables. May reduce the risk of developing cancer.

carzelesin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.

caspofungin acetate
A drug used to prevent or treat infections caused by a fungus (a type of microorganism). It belongs to the family of drugs called antifungal agents.

Castleman's disease
A rare disorder in which noncancerous growths develop in lymph node tissue.

castration
Removal or destruction of the testicles or ovaries using radiation, surgery, or drugs. Medical castration refers to the use of drugs to suppress the function of the ovaries or testicles.

catheter
A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into or withdraw fluids from the body.

cauterization
The destruction of tissue with a hot instrument, an electrical current, or a caustic substance.

CC-1088
A drug that is similar but not identical to thalidomide and is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors.

CC-49 monoclonal antibody
A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells.

CC-5013
A substance that is similar to thalidomide, and that prevents the growth of new blood vessels to solid tumors. It belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors.

CCI-779
An anticancer drug that inhibits the growth of cancer cells by preventing cell division.

CD34 antigen
A protein found on the surface of some bone marrow and blood cells.

CD40-ligand
A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It binds to certain immune cells and may suppress cancer growth.

CEA
Carcinoembryonic antigen. A substance that is sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood of people with certain cancers.

CEA assay
A laboratory test to measure carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a substance that is sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood of people who have certain cancers.

cefepime
A drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics.

ceftriaxone
An antibiotic drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics.

celecoxib
A drug that reduces pain. Celecoxib belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. It is being studied for cancer prevention.

cell
The individual unit that makes up all of the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

cell differentiation
The process during which young, immature (unspecialized) cells take on individual characteristics and reach their mature (specialized) form and function.

cell motility
The ability of a cell to move.

cell proliferation
An increase in the number of cells as a result of cell growth and cell division.

cellular adhesion
The close adherence (bonding) to adjoining cell surfaces.

cellulitis
An acute, spreading infection of the deep tissues of the skin and muscle that causes the skin to become warm and tender and may also cause fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and blisters.

central nervous system
CNS. The brain and spinal cord.

central venous access catheter
A tube surgically placed into a blood vessel for the purpose of giving intravenous fluid and drugs. It also can be used to obtain blood samples. This device avoids the need for separate needle insertions for each infusion or blood test. Examples of these devices include Hickman catheters, which require clamps to make sure the valve is closed, and Groshong catheters, which have a valve that opens as fluid is withdrawn or infused and remains closed when not in use.

CEP-2563 dihydrochloride
A growth factor antagonist that may stop tumor cells from growing.

cephalexin
An antibiotic drug that belongs to the family of drugs called cephalosporins.

cephalosporins
A family of antibiotic drugs that is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections.

ceramide
A type of fat produced in the body. It may cause some types of cells to die and is being studied in cancer treatment.

cerebellum
The portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem. The cerebellum controls balance for walking and standing, and other complex motor functions.

cerebral hemispheres
The two halves of the cerebrum, the part of the brain that controls muscle functions of the body and also controls speech, emotions, reading, writing, and learning. The right hemisphere controls muscle movement on the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere controls muscle movement on the right side of the body.

cerebrospinal fluid
CSF. The fluid flowing around the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in the ventricles in the brain.

cerebrospinal fluid diversion
A process used to drain fluid that has built up around the brain and spinal cord. A shunt (a long, thin tube) is placed in a ventricle of the brain and threaded under the skin to another part of the body, usually the abdomen. The shunt carries excess fluid away from the brain so it may be absorbed elsewhere in the body.

cerebrum
The largest part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres, or halves, called the cerebral hemispheres. The cerebrum controls muscle functions of the body and also controls speech, emotions, reading, writing, and learning.

cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
CIN. A general term for the growth of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. Numbers from 1 to 3 may be used to describe how much of the cervix contains abnormal cells.

cervix
The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina.

cetuximab
A type of monoclonal antibody being studied as an anticancer drug. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells.

cevimeline
A substance that increases production of saliva and tears. It is being studied as a treatment for dry mouth caused by radiation therapy to the head and neck. It belongs to the family of drugs called cholinergic enhancers.

CGP 48664
An anticancer drug that may inhibit the growth of some tumors.

chemoembolization
A procedure in which the blood supply to the tumor is blocked surgically or mechanically and anticancer drugs are administered directly into the tumor. This permits a higher concentration of drug to be in contact with the tumor for a longer period of time.

chemoprevention
The use of drugs, vitamins, or other agents to try to reduce the risk of, or delay the development or recurrence of, cancer.

chemoprotective
A quality of some drugs used in cancer treatment. Chemoprotective agents protect healthy tissue from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs.

chemosensitivity assay
A laboratory test to analyze the responsiveness of a tumor to a specific drug.

chemosensitizer
A drug that makes tumor cells more sensitive to the effects of chemotherapy.

chemotherapy
Treatment with anticancer drugs.

chest wall
The muscles, bones, and joints that make up the area of the body between the neck and the abdomen.

chlorambucil
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.

chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide
CQS. A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug.

cholangiosarcoma
A tumor of the connective tissues of the bile ducts.

chondrosarcoma
A type of cancer that forms in cartilage.

chordoma
A type of bone cancer that usually starts in the lower spinal cord.

choriocarcinoma
A rare cancer in women of childbearing age in which cancer cells grow in the tissues that are formed in the uterus after conception. Also called gestational trophoblastic disease, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, gestational trophoblastic tumor, or molar pregnancy.

choroid plexus tumor
A rare type of cancer that occurs in the ventricles of the brain. It usually occurs in children younger than 2 years.

chromosome
Part of a cell that contains genetic information. Except for sperm and eggs, all human cells contain 46 chromosomes.

chronic
A disease or condition that persists or progresses over a long period of time.

chronic granulocytic leukemia
A slowly progressing disease in which too many white blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Also called chronic myelogenous leukemia or chronic myeloid leukemia.

chronic leukemia
A slowly progressing cancer of the blood-forming tissues.

chronic lymphoblastic lymphoma
A slowly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells (called lymphoblasts) are found in the body.

chronic lymphocytic leukemia
A slowly progressing disease in which too many white blood cells (called lymphocytes) are found in the body.

chronic myelogenous leukemia
CML. A slowly progressing disease in which too many white blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Also called chronic myeloid leukemia or chronic granulocytic leukemia.

chronic myeloid leukemia
CML. A slowly progressing disease in which too many white blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Also called chronic myelogenous leukemia or chronic granulocytic leukemia.

chronic phase
Refers to the early stages of chronic myelogenous leukemia or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The number of mature and immature abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood is higher than normal, but lower than in the accelerated or blast phase.

chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia
A phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia that may last from several months to several years. Although there may be no symptoms of leukemia, there are too many white blood cells.

CHS 828
A drug that is being studied as a treatment for solid tumors.

CI-1033
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

CI-958
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called DNA-intercalating compounds.

CI-994
A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Also called N-acetyldinaline.

cidofovir
A drug used to treat infection caused by viruses.

cimetidine
A drug usually used to treat stomach ulcers and heartburn. It is also commonly used in a regimen to prevent allergic reactions.

ciprofloxacin
An anti-infection drug that is also being studied in bladder cancer chemotherapy.

cirrhosis
A type of chronic, progressive liver disease in which liver cells are replaced by scar tissue.

cisplatin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called platinum compounds.

cladribine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.

clarithromycin
An antibiotic drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called macrolides.

clear cell carcinoma
A rare type of tumor of the female genital tract in which the inside of the cells looks clear when viewed under a microscope.

clear cell sarcoma of the kidney
A rare type of kidney cancer. Clear cell sarcoma can spread from the kidney to other organs, most commonly the bone, but also including the lungs, brain, and soft tissues of the body.

clinical practice guidelines
Guidelines developed to help health care professionals and patients make decisions about screening, prevention, or treatment of a specific health condition.

clinical trial
A type of research study that tests how well new medical treatments or other interventions work in people. Such studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. The study may be carried out in a clinic or other medical facility. Also called a clinical study.

clodronate
A drug used as treatment for hypercalcemia (abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood) and for cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastases). It may decrease pain, the risk of fractures, and the development of new bone metastases.

CNS
Central nervous system. The brain and spinal cord.

CNS metastases
Cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the central nervous system.

CNS prophylaxis
Chemotherapy or radiation therapy given to the central nervous system (CNS) as a preventive treatment. It is given to kill cancer cells that may be in the brain and spinal cord, even though no cancer has been detected there.

CNS tumors
Tumors of the central nervous system, including brain stem glioma, craniopharyngioma, medulloblastoma, and meningioma.

co-trimoxazole
A combination of two anti-infection drugs, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. It is used to fight bacterial and protozoal infections.

coactivated T cells
T cells that have been coated with monoclonal antibodies to enhance their ability to kill tumor cells.

Cockayne syndrome
A genetic condition characterized by short stature, premature aging, sensitivity to light, and possibly deafness and mental retardation.

COL-3
An anticancer drug that may stop tumor growth by preventing the growth of new blood vessels into a solid tumor.

colectomy
An operation to remove the colon. An open colectomy is the removal of the colon through a surgical incision made in the wall of the abdomen. Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy uses a thin, lighted tube attached to a video camera. It allows the surgeon to remove the colon without a large incision.

colo-anal anastomosis
A surgical procedure in which the colon is attached to the anus after the rectum has been removed. Also called colo-anal pull-through.

colo-anal pull-through
A surgical procedure in which the colon is attached to the anus after the rectum has been removed. Also called colo-anal anastomosis.

colon
The long, tube-like organ that is connected to the small intestine and rectum. The colon removes water and some nutrients and electrolytes from digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called stool, moves through the colon to the rectum and leaves the body through the anus. Also called the large intestine.

colonoscope
A thin, lighted tube used to examine the inside of the colon.

colonoscopy
An examination of the inside of the colon using a thin, lighted tube (called a colonoscope) inserted into the rectum. If abnormal areas are seen, tissue can be removed and examined under a microscope to determine whether disease is present.

colony-stimulating factors
Substances that stimulate the production of blood cells. Colony-stimulating factors include granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (also called G-CSF and filgrastim), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (also called GM-CSF and sargramostim), and promegapoietin.

colorectal
Having to do with the colon or the rectum.

colostomy
An opening into the colon from the outside of the body. A colostomy provides a new path for waste material to leave the body after part of the colon has been removed.

colposcope
A lighted magnifying instrument used for examination of the vagina and cervix.

colposcopy
Examination of the vagina and cervix using a lighted magnifying instrument called a colposcope.

combination chemotherapy
Treatment using more than one anticancer drug.

combretastatin A4 phosphate
An anticancer drug that reduces the blood supply to tumors; it is a tubulin-binding agent.

common bile duct
Carries bile from the liver and gallbladder into the duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine).

compassionate use
Refers to providing a drug to a patient on humanitarian grounds before the drug has received official approval.

complementary and alternative medicine
CAM. Forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments. These practices are not considered standard medical approaches. CAM includes dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation.

complementary medicine
Practices not generally recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches and used to enhance or complement standard treatments. Complementary medicine includes dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation.

complete blood count
CBC. A test to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. Also called blood cell count.

complete remission
The disappearance of all signs of cancer in response to treatment. This does not always mean the cancer has been cured. Also called a complete response.

complete response
The disappearance of all signs of cancer in response to treatment. This does not always mean the cancer has been cured. Also called a complete remission.

compression bandage
A bandage designed to provide pressure to a particular area.

computed tomographic colonography
CTC. A procedure in which a detailed picture of the colon is created by an x-ray machine linked to a computer. Also called computed tomography (CT) scan or computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan of the colon.

computed tomography
CT scan. A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computerized tomography and computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.

computed tomography colography
A method under study to examine the colon by taking a series of x-rays (called a CT scan) and then using a high-powered computer to reconstruct 2-D and 3-D pictures of the interior surfaces of the colon from these x-rays. The pictures can be saved, manipulated to better viewing angles, and reviewed after the procedure, even years later. Also called virtual colonoscopy.

condylomata acuminata
Genital warts caused by certain human papillomaviruses (HPVs).

cone biopsy
Surgery to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix and cervical canal. Cone biopsy may be used to diagnose or treat a cervical condition. Also called conization.

congestive heart failure
Weakness of the heart muscle that leads to a buildup of fluid in body tissues.

conization
Surgery to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix and cervical canal. Conization may be used to diagnose or treat a cervical condition. Also called cone biopsy.

consolidation therapy
Chemotherapy treatments given after induction chemotherapy to further reduce the number of cancer cells.

contiguous
Touching or very close together.

continent reservoir
A pouch formed from a piece of small intestine to hold urine after the bladder has been removed.

continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion
CHPP. A procedure that bathes the abdominal cavity in fluid that contains anticancer drugs. This fluid is warmer than body temperature. This procedure appears to kill cancer cells without harming normal cells.

continuous infusion
The administration of a fluid into a blood vessel, usually over a prolonged period of time.

conventional treatment
A currently accepted and widely used treatment for a certain type of disease, based on the results of past research. Also called conventional therapy.

cooperative group
A group of physicians, hospitals, or both formed to treat a large number of persons in the same way so that a new treatment can be evaluated quickly. Clinical trials of new cancer treatments often require many more people than a single physician or hospital can care for.

cordectomy
An operation on the vocal cords or on the spinal cord.

cordycepin
An anticancer drug that belongs to a family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics.

core biopsy
The removal of a tissue sample with a needle for examination under a microscope.

corpus
The body of the uterus.

corticosteroids
Hormones that have antitumor activity in lymphomas and lymphoid leukemias; in addition, corticosteroids (steroids) may be used for hormone replacement and for the management of some of the complications of cancer and its treatment.

cortisone
A natural steroid hormone produced in the adrenal gland. It can also be made in the laboratory. Cortisone reduces swelling and can suppress immune responses.

Corynebacterium granulosum
A bacterium that may stimulate the immune system to fight cancer.

COX-2 inhibitors
Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. A family of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to relieve pain and inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors are being studied in the prevention of colon polyps, and as anticancer drugs.

CP-358,774
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Also called erlotinib.

CP-609,754
A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug.

CP4071
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer.

craniopharyngioma
A benign brain tumor that may be considered malignant because it can damage the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst.

craniotomy
An operation in which an opening is made in the skull.

crisnatol mesylate
An anticancer drug that interferes with the DNA in cancer cells.

Crohn's disease
Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly the bowel. Crohn's disease increases the risk for colon cancer.

cruciferous vegetables
A family of vegetables that includes kale, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and turnips. These vegetables contain substances that may protect against cancer.

cryosurgery
Treatment performed with an instrument that freezes and destroys abnormal tissues.

cryotherapy
Any method that uses cold temperature to treat disease.

cryptorchidism
A condition in which one or both testicles fail to move from the abdomen, where they develop before birth, into the scrotum. Cryptorchidism may increase the risk for development of testicular cancer. Also called undescended testicles.

CSF
Cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid flowing around the brain and spinal cord. CSF is produced in the ventricles of the brain.

CT scan
Computed tomography scan. A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computerized tomography and computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.

CT-2103
A protein that can be linked to a chemotherapy drug to deliver the drug directly to the tumor with fewer side effects. It is being studied as a treatment for cancer.

CT-2584
A drug that may prevent the growth of blood vessels from surrounding tissue into a solid tumor. It is being studied for its ability to treat cancer.

curcumin
A yellow pigment of the spice turmeric that is being studied in cancer prevention.

curettage
Removal of tissue with a curette, a spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge.

curette
A spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge.

cutaneous
Having to do with the skin.

cutaneous breast cancer
Cancer that has spread from the breast to the skin.

cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
A disease in which certain cells of the lymph system (called T lymphocytes) become cancerous (malignant) and affect the skin.

cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors
COX-2 inhibitors. A family of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to relieve pain and inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors are being studied in the prevention of colon polyps, and as anticancer drugs.

cyclophosphamide
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.

cyclosporine
A drug used to help reduce the risk of rejection of organ and bone marrow transplants by the body. It is also used in clinical trials to make cancer cells more sensitive to anticancer drugs.

cyproterone acetate
A synthetic hormone being studied for treatment of hot flashes in men with prostate cancer who have had both testicles removed by surgery.

cyst
A sac or capsule filled with fluid.

cystectomy
Surgery to remove all or part of the bladder.

cystosarcoma phyllodes
CSP. A type of tumor found in breast tissue. It is often large and bulky and grows quickly. It is usually benign (not cancer), but may be malignant (cancer). Also called phyllodes tumor.

cystoscope
A thin, lighted instrument used to look inside the bladder and remove tissue samples or small tumors.

cystoscopy
Examination of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted instrument (called a cystoscope) inserted into the urethra. Tissue samples can be removed and examined under a microscope to determine whether disease is present.

cytarabine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.

cytokines
A class of substances that are produced by cells of the immune system and can affect the immune response. Cytokines can also be produced in the laboratory by recombinant DNA technology and given to people to affect immune responses.

cytomegalovirus
CMV. A virus that may be carried in an inactive state for life by healthy individuals. It is a cause of severe pneumonia in people with a suppressed immune system, such as those undergoing bone marrow transplantation or those with leukemia or lymphoma.

cytopenia
A reduction in the number of blood cells.

cytotoxic chemotherapy
Anticancer drugs that kill cells, especially cancer cells.

cytotoxic T cells
A type of white blood cell that can directly destroy specific cells. T cells can be separated from other blood cells, grown in the laboratory, and then given to a patient to destroy tumor cells. Certain cytokines can also be given to a patient to help form cytotoxic T cells in the patient's body.

D

D-20761
A synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antagonist that suppresses LH and sex steroid levels.

DACA
Acridine carboxamide. A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.

dacarbazine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.

daclizumab
A monoclonal antibody that is being studied for treatment of adult T-cell leukemia. Also called dacliximab. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells.

dactinomycin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics.

dalteparin
A drug that helps prevent the formation of blood clots; it belongs to the family of drugs called anticoagulants.

danazol
A synthetic hormone that belongs to the family of drugs called androgens and is used to treat endometriosis. It is being evaluated in the treatment of endometrial cancer.

daunorubicin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics.

decitabine
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.

deferoxamine
An iron-chelating agent that removes iron from tumors by inhibiting DNA synthesis and causing cancer cell death. It is used in conjunction with other anticancer agents in pediatric neuroblastoma therapy.

defibrotide
A drug under study for the prevention of veno-occlusive disease, a rare complication of high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation in which small veins in the liver become blocked.

dehydroepiandrosterone
DHEA. A substance that is being studied as a cancer prevention drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called steroids.

dendritic cell
A special type of antigen-presenting cell (APC) that activates T lymphocytes.

dendritic cell vaccine
A vaccine made of antigens and dendritic antigen-presenting cells (APCs).

denileukin diftitox
A substance used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma when other treatments have not worked.

dental implant
A small metal pin placed inside the jawbone to mimic the root of a tooth. Dental implants can be used to help anchor a false tooth or teeth, or a crown or bridge.

deoxycytidine
A drug that protects healthy tissues from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs.

DepoFoam-encapsulated cytarabine
The anticancer drug cytarabine formulated inside small particles of a synthetic lipid material called DepoFoam. This dosage form slowly releases the drug and provides a sustained action.

depsipeptide
Anticancer drugs obtained from microorganisms.

dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin.

dermatologist
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin problems.

dermis
The lower or inner layer of the two main layers of tissue that make up the skin.

DES
Diethylstilbestrol. A synthetic hormone that was prescribed from the early 1940s until 1971 to help women with complications of pregnancy. DES has been linked to an increased risk of clear cell carcinoma of the vagina in daughters of women who used DES. DES may also increase the risk of breast cancer in women who used DES.

desmoid tumor
A tumor of the tissue that surrounds muscles, usually in the abdomen. A desmoid tumor rarely metastasizes (spreads to other parts of the body). Also called aggressive fibromatosis, especially when the tumor is outside the abdomen.

dexamethasone
A synthetic steroid (similar to steroid hormones produced naturally in the adrenal gland). Dexamethasone is used to treat leukemia and lymphoma and may be used to treat some of the problems caused by other cancers and their treatment.

dexrazoxane
A drug used to protect the heart from the toxic effects of anthracycline drugs such as doxorubicin. It belongs to the family of drugs called chemoprotective agents.

dextromethorphan acetic acid
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors.

DHA-paclitaxel
A combination of DHA (a natural fatty acid) and paclitaxel (an anticancer drug) that is being studied as a treatment for cancer.

DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone. A substance that is being studied as a cancer prevention drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called steroids.

di-dgA-RFB4 monoclonal antibody
An anticancer drug that is a combination of a monoclonal antibody (RFB4) and an immunotoxin (dgA).

diabetes
A disease in which the body does not properly control the amount of sugar in the blood. As a result, the level of sugar in the blood is too high. This disease occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use it properly.

diagnosis
The process of identifying a disease by the signs and symptoms.

diagnostic procedure
A method used to identify a disease.

diagnostic trial
A research study that evaluates methods of detecting disease.

dialysis
The process of cleansing the blood when the kidneys are not able to filter the blood.

diaphragm
The thin muscle below the lungs and heart that separates the chest from the abdomen.

diathermy
The use of heat to destroy abnormal cells. Also called cauterization or electrodiathermy.

diaziquone
AZQ. An anticancer drug that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and kill cancer cells in the central nervous system.

didanosine
A drug used to treat infection caused by viruses.

diethylstilbestrol
DES. A synthetic hormone that was prescribed from the early 1940s until 1971 to help women with complications of pregnancy. DES has been linked to an increased risk of clear cell carcinoma of the vagina in daughters of women who used DES. DES may also increase the risk of breast cancer in women who used DES.

differentiation
In cancer, refers to how mature (developed) the cancer cells are in a tumor. Differentiated tumor cells resemble normal cells and tend to grow and spread at a slower rate than undifferentiated or poorly differentiated tumor cells, which lack the structure and function of normal cells and grow uncontrollably.

difluoromethylornithine
DFMO. An anticancer drug that has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer in animals.

digestive system
The organs that take in food and turn it into products that the body can use to stay healthy. Waste products the body cannot use leave the body through bowel movements. The digestive system includes the salivary glands, mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, small and large intestines, and rectum.

digestive tract
The organs through which food passes when food is eaten. These organs are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and rectum.

digital photography
A type of photography in which images can be viewed on a computer screen.

digital rectal examination
DRE. An examination in which a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities.

dihematoporphyrin ether
Used in photodynamic therapy, a drug that is absorbed by tumor cells; when exposed to light, it becomes active and kills the cancer cells.

dilation and curettage
D

dilator
A device used to stretch or enlarge an opening.

dimesna
A drug that belongs to the family of drugs called chemoprotective agents.

dimethylxanthenone acetic acid
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors.

diphosphonates
A family of drugs used to treat osteoporosis and the bone pain caused by some types of cancer. Also called bisphosphonates.

dipyridamole
A drug that prevents blood cell clumping and enhances the effectiveness of fluorouracil and other chemotherapeutic agents.

disease progression
Cancer that continues to grow or spread.

distant cancer
Refers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes.

disulfiram
A drug that slows the metabolism of retinoids, allowing them to act over a longer period of time.

diuretic
A drug that increases the production of urine.

diverticulosis
A condition marked by small sacs or pouches (diverticula) in the walls of an organ such as the stomach or colon. These sacs can become inflamed and cause a condition called diverticulitis, which may be a risk factor for certain types of cancer.

DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid. The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next.

docetaxel
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called mitotic inhibitors.

dolasetron
A drug that prevents or reduces nausea and vomiting. It belongs to the family of drugs called antiemetics.

dolastatin 10
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called mitotic inhibitors.

donepezil
A drug used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It belongs to the family of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors. It is being studied as a treatment for side effects caused by radiation therapy to the brain.

dose-rate
The strength of a treatment given over a period of time.

double-blinded
A clinical trial in which neither the medical staff nor the person knows which of several possible therapies the person is receiving.

douche
A procedure in which water or a medicated solution is used to clean the vagina and cervix.

Down syndrome
A disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21 and characterized by mental retardation and distinguishing physical features.

doxercalciferol
A substance that is being studied in the prevention of recurrent prostate cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called vitamin D analogs.

doxorubicin
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics. It is an anthracycline.

doxycycline
An antibiotic drug used to treat infection.

DPPE
Belongs to a group of antihormone drugs.

dronabinol
A synthetic pill form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active ingredient in marijuana that is used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.

drug tolerance
A condition that occurs when the body gets used to a medicine so that either more medicine is needed or different medicine is needed.

dry orgasm
Sexual climax without the release of semen from the penis.

DTGM fusion protein
An anticancer drug formed by the combination of diphtheria toxin and a colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The colony-stimulating factor is attracted to cancer cells, and the diphtheria toxin kills the cells.

duct
A tube through which body fluids pass.

ductal carcinoma
The most common type of breast cancer. It begins in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast.

ductal carcinoma in situ
DCIS. Abnormal cells that involve only the lining of a duct. The cells have not spread outside the duct to other tissues in the breast. Also called intraductal carcinoma.

dumping syndrome
A group of symptoms that occur when food or liquid enters the small intestine too rapidly. These symptoms include cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. Dumping syndrome sometimes occurs in people who have had a portion of their stomach removed.

duodenum
The first part of the small intestine.

DX-52-1
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics. It is an anthracycline.

dyscrasia
Disease. Usually refers to diseases of the blood.

dysplasia
Cells that look abnormal under a microscope but are not cancer.

dysplastic nevi
Atypical moles; moles whose appearance is different from that of common moles. Dysplastic nevi are generally larger than ordinary moles and have irregular and indistinct borders. Their color frequently is not uniform and ranges from pink to dark brown; they usually are flat, but parts may be raised above the skin surface.

dyspnea
Difficult, painful breathing or shortness of breath.

E

E7070
A drug that belongs to the family of drugs called sulfonamides. It is being studied for its ability to treat cancer.

echocardiography
A procedure that uses ultrasonic waves directed over the chest wall to obtain a graphic record of the heart's position, motion of the walls, or internal parts such as the valves.

ecteinascidin 743
An anticancer drug that inhibits the growth of cancer cells by disrupting the structure of tumor-cell DNA.

edatrexate
An anticancer drug that belongs to a family of drugs called antimetabolites.

edema
Swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.

edrecolomab
A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells.

EF5
A drug that is used to plan cancer treatment by measuring oxygen levels in tumor cells.

eflornithine
An antiprotozoal drug that is being studied for cancer prevention.

ejaculation
The release of semen through the penis during orgasm.

electrodesiccation
The drying of tissue by a high-frequency electric current applied with a needle-shaped electrode.

electrolarynx
A battery-operated device that makes a humming sound. It is used to help a person talk after removal of the larynx (voice box).

electroporation therapy
EPT. Treatment that generates electrical pulses through an electrode placed in a tumor to enhance the ability of anticancer drugs to enter tumor cells.

embolization
The blocking of an artery by a clot or foreign material. Embolization can be done as treatment to block the flow of blood to a tumor.

EMD 121974
A substance that is being studied as an anticancer and antiangiogenesis drug.

emitefur
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.

enalapril
An antihypertensive agent that can also be used to slow or prevent the progression of heart disease in people with childhood cancer treated with drugs that may be harmful to the heart.

encapsulated
Confined to a specific, localized area and surrounded by a thin layer of tissue.

endocervical curettage
The scraping of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal using a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette.

endocrine cancer
Cancer that occurs in endocrine tissue, the tissue in the body that secretes hormones.

endocrinologist
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating hormone disorders.

endometrial
Having to do with the endometrium (the layer of tissue that lines the uterus).

endometrial disorder
Abnormal cell growth in the endometrium (the lining of the uterus).

endometriosis
A benign condition in which tissue that looks like endometrial tissue grows in abnormal places in the abdomen.

endometrium
The layer of tissue that lines the uterus.

endoscope
A thin, lighted tube used to look at tissues inside the body.

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ERCP. A procedure to x-ray the pancreatic duct, hepatic duct, common bile duct, duodenal papilla, and gallbladder. In this procedure, a thin, lighted tube (endoscope) is passed through the mouth and down into the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). A smaller tube (catheter) is then inserted through the endoscope into the bile and pancreatic ducts. A dye is injected through the catheter into the ducts, and an x-ray is taken.

endoscopic ultrasound
EUS. A procedure in which an endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into the body. The endoscope is used to bounce high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) off internal organs to make a picture (sonogram). Also called endosonography.

endoscopy
The use of a thin, lighted tube (called an endoscope) to examine the inside of the body.

endostatin
A drug that is being studied for its ability to prevent the growth of new blood vessels into a solid tumor. Endostatin belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors.

endothelin receptor antagonists
A family of drugs that block the hormone endothelin and may prevent prostate cancer from spreading to the bones. They may also prevent the growth and spread of other types of cancer, including colorectal cancer.

eniluracil
An anticancer drug that increases the effectiveness of fluorouracil. Also called ethynyluracil.

enoxaparin
A drug used to prevent blood clots. It belongs to the family of drugs called anticoagulants.

enterostomal therapist
A health professional trained in the care of persons with urostomies and other stomas.

environmental tobacco smoke
ETS. Smoke that comes from the burning of a tobacco product and smoke that is exhaled by smokers (second-hand smoke). Inhaling ETS is called involuntary or passive smoking.

enzyme
A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.

eosinophil
A type of white blood cell.

eosinophilia
A condition in which the number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood is greatly increased. Eosinophilia is often a response to infection or allergens (substances that cause an allergic response).

ependymal tumors
A type of brain tumor that usually begins in the central canal of the spinal cord. Ependymal tumors may also develop in the cells lining the ventricles of the brain, which produce and store the special fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) that protects the brain and spinal cord. Also called ependymomas.

ependymomas
Brain tumors that usually begin in the central canal of the spinal cord. Ependymomas may also develop in the cells lining the ventricles of the brain, which produce and store the special fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) that protects the brain and spinal cord. Also called ependymal tumors.

epidermal growth factor receptor
EGFR. The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, so these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor. Also known as ErbB1 or HER1.

epidermis
The upper or outer layer of the two main layers of tissue that make up the skin.

epidermoid carcinoma
A type of cancer in which the cells are flat and look like fish scales. Also called squamous cell carcinoma.

epidural
Having to do with the space between the wall of the spinal canal and the covering of the spinal cord. An epidural injection is given into this space.

epidural block
An injection of an anesthetic drug into the space between the wall of the spinal canal and the covering of the spinal cord.

epiglottis
The flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs.

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