(HER-tel cell)
An uncommon type of thyroid tumor that can be benign or malignant.
|
Helicobacter pylori. Bacteria that cause inflammation and ulcers in the stomach.
|
(FOL-i-kuls)
Shafts or openings on the surface of the skin through which hair grows.
|
A type of chronic leukemia in which the abnormal white blood cells appear to be covered with tiny hairs when viewed under a microscope.
|
Surgery for breast cancer in which the breast, chest muscles, and all of the lymph nodes under the arm are removed. For many years, this was the operation most used, but it is used now only when the tumor has spread to the chest muscles. Also called radical mastectomy.
|
(ham-ar-TOE-ma)
A benign (noncancerous) growth made up of an abnormal mixture of cells and tissues normally found in the area of the body where the growth occurs.
|
The fruit of the hawthorn bush. It has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems, including heart problems and gastrointestinal problems.
|
An herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat certain medical problems. It has been used to boost the immune system and may have anticancer effects.
|
A detailed picture of areas inside the body. The pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine that scans the body in a spiral path. Also called spiral CT scan.
|
(HEEL-ih-ko-BAK-ter pye-LOR-ee)
H. pylori. Bacteria that cause inflammation and ulcers in the stomach.
|
A type of white blood cell that helps stimulate immune system reactions. Helper T cells help activate cytotoxic T cells and macrophages by secreting cytokines. They also stimulate B cells to make antibodies.
|
A protein found in the outer coat of paramyxoviruses. This protein helps virus particles bind to cells, making infection easier.
|
A type of cancer involving blood vessels and soft tissue.
|
Originating in the blood or spread through the bloodstream.
|
Cancers of the blood or bone marrow, including leukemia and lymphoma. Also called hematologic cancers.
|
(hee-ma-TOL-o-jist)
A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the blood.
|
The forming of new blood cells.
|
A group of proteins that cause blood cells to grow and mature.
|
Tissue in which new blood cells are formed.
|
A drug used in photodynamic therapy that is absorbed by tumor cells. When exposed to light, it becomes active and kills the cancer cells.
|
The substance inside red blood cells that carries oxygen molecules.
|
Group of hereditary disorders in which affected individuals fail to make enough of certain proteins needed to form blood clots.
|
An enlarged or swollen blood vessel, usually located near the anus or the rectum.
|
A drug that helps prevent blood clots from forming. It belongs to the family of drugs called anticoagulants (blood thinners).
|
Surgery to remove all or part of the liver.
|
Refers to the liver.
|
A procedure to deliver chemotherapy directly to the liver. Catheters are put into an artery in the groin that leads directly to the liver, and drugs are given through the catheters.
|
The major blood vessel that carries blood to the liver.
|
A short blood vessel that carries blood to the liver from the stomach and intestine.
|
(hep-a-TYE-tis)
Disease of the liver causing inflammation. Symptoms include an enlarged liver, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dark urine.
|
A type of hepatitis that is carried and passed to others through the blood or sexual contact.
|
A virus that causes hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It is carried and passed to others through blood or sexual contact. Also, infants born to infected mothers may become infected with the virus.
|
A virus that causes hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It is carried and passed to others through blood or sexual contact. Also, infants born to infected mothers may become infected with the virus.
|
(HEP-a-toe-blas-TOE-ma)
A type of liver tumor that occurs in infants and children.
|
(HEP-a-toe-SEL-yoo-ler kar-sin-O-ma)
A type of adenocarcinoma, the most common type of liver tumor.
|
(HEP-a-toe-site)
A liver cell.
|
(hep-a-TOE-ma)
A liver tumor.
|
Epidermal growth factor receptor. 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 EGFR or ErbB1.
|
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The HER2/neu protein is involved in growth of some cancer cells. Also called c-erbB-2.
|
The gene that makes the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The protein produced is HER2/neu, which is involved in the growth of some cancer cells. Also called c-erbB-2.
|
An herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects.
|
A chemical that kills plants.
|
(ha-RED-ih-tair-ee)
Transmitted from parent to child by information contained in the genes.
|
A gene change in the body's reproductive cells (egg or sperm) that becomes incorporated into the DNA of every cell in the body of offspring; hereditary mutations are passed on from parents to offspring. Also called germline mutation.
|
HNPCC. An inherited disorder in which affected individuals have a higher-than-normal chance of developing colon cancer and certain other types of cancer, usually before the age of 60. Also called Lynch syndrome.
|
(HER-peez VYE-rus)
A member of the herpes family of viruses.
|
(het-er-o-JEN-ik)
Derived from a different source or species. Also called heterogenous.
|
Derived from a different source or species. Also called heterogenic.
|
A type of internal radiation treatment in which the radioactive source is removed between treatments. Also called high-dose-rate remote radiation therapy or remote brachytherapy.
|
A type of internal radiation treatment in which the radioactive source is removed between treatments. Also called high-dose-rate remote brachytherapy or remote brachytherapy.
|
Includes large cell, immunoblastic, lymphoblastic, and small noncleaved cell lymphomas. These lymphomas grow quickly but have a better response to anticancer drugs than that seen with low-grade lymphomas.
|
HSIL. A precancerous condition in which the cells of the uterine cervix are moderately or severely abnormal.
|
Cancer that is likely to recur (come back), or spread.
|
A drug being studied for its ability to enhance the effectiveness of IL-2 in treating acute myeloid leukemia.
|
The study of tissues and cells under a microscope.
|
Individuals treated in the past and used as a comparison group when researchers analyze the results of a clinical study that had no control group. The use of a control, or comparison, group helps researchers determine the effects of a new treatment more accurately.
|
Human immunodeficiency virus, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
|
A substance produced by certain white blood cells in reaction to contact with HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus.
|
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer. An inherited disorder in which affected individuals have a higher-than-normal chance of developing colon cancer and certain other types of cancer, usually before the age of 60. Also called Lynch syndrome.
|
A malignant disease of the lymphatic system that is characterized by painless enlargement of lymph nodes, the spleen, or other lymphatic tissue. It is sometimes accompanied by symptoms such as fever, weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats.
|
A drug containing a radioactive isotope that is used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
|
Small doses of medicines, herbs, or both that are believed to stimulate the immune system.
|
An anticancer drug that belongs to the plant alkaloid family of drugs.
|
Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to adjust low hormone levels. To slow or stop the growth of certain cancers (such as prostate and breast cancer), hormones may be given to block the body's natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the source of hormones. Also called hormone therapy, hormone treatment, or endocrine therapy.
|
A protein on the surface of a cell that binds to a specific hormone. The hormone causes many changes to take place in the cell.
|
A test to measure the amount of certain proteins, called hormone receptors, in cancer tissue. Hormones can attach to these proteins. A high level of hormone receptors may mean that hormones help the cancer grow.
|
HRT. Hormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to postmenopausal women or women who have had their ovaries surgically removed, to replace the estrogen no longer produced by the ovaries.
|
Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to adjust low hormone levels. To slow or stop the growth of certain cancers (such as prostate and breast cancer), hormones may be given to block the body's natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the source of hormones. Also called hormonal therapy, hormone treatment, or endocrine therapy.
|
Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to adjust low hormone levels. To slow or stop the growth of certain cancers (such as prostate and breast cancer), hormones may be given to block the body's natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the source of hormones. Also called hormone therapy, hormonal therapy, or endocrine therapy.
|
Chemicals produced by glands in the body and circulated in the bloodstream. Hormones control the actions of certain cells or organs.
|
A condition in which one side of the face is flushed, does not produce sweat, and has a constricted pupil and drooping eyelid. It can be caused by an injury to, or paralysis of, nerves in the neck, or by a tumor.
|
A cell that is infected by a virus or another type of microorganism.
|
When radioactive material is used to examine the thyroid with a scanner, nodules that collect more radioactive material than the surrounding thyroid tissue are considered "hot." Hot nodules are rarely malignant. Hot nodules are sometimes called hyperfunctioning nodules.
|
2-(1-hexyloxyethyl)-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a. A drug that is used in photodynamic therapy that is absorbed by tumor cells; when exposed to light, it becomes active and kills the cancer cells.
|
Human papillomavirus. A virus that causes abnormal tissue growth (warts) and is often associated with some types of cancer.
|
Hormone replacement therapy. Hormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to postmenopausal women or women who have had their ovaries surgically removed, to replace the estrogen no longer produced by the ovaries.
|
An anticancer drug in which hu14.18, a monoclonal antibody, is combined with interleukin-2. The monoclonal antibody binds to the cancer cells and delivers IL-2, which stimulates the immune system to destroy the cancer cells.
|
A Chinese herb that has been used as a treatment for a variety of medical problems. It is being studied as an anticancer drug.
|
HER2/neu. The HER2/neu protein is involved in growth of some cancer cells. Also called c-erbB-2.
|
HIV. The cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
|
(pap-ih-LO-ma-VYE-rus)
HPV. A virus that causes abnormal tissue growth (warts) and is often associated with some types of cancer.
|
(hyoo-MID-ih-fye-er)
A machine that puts moisture in the air.
|
(HER-tel cell)
An uncommon type of thyroid tumor that can be benign or malignant.
|
Combining with water.
|
A substance that has been studied as a treatment for cancer and as a treatment for cachexia (body wasting) associated with advanced cancer.
|
(hye-dro-SEF-uh-lus)
The abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain.
|
A drug used to relieve the symptoms of certain hormone shortages and to suppress an immune response.
|
A chemical used in bleaches, dyes, cleansers, antiseptics, and disinfectants. In a concentrated form, it is toxic and irritating to tissues.
|
A chemical reaction that uses water to break down a compound.
|
A drug used to relieve pain.
|
Abnormal enlargement of a kidney, which may be caused by blockage of the ureter (such as by a kidney stone) or chronic kidney disease that prevents urine from draining into the bladder.
|
Abnormal enlargement of the ureter caused by any blockage that prevents urine from draining into the bladder.
|
An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.
|
Oxygen that is at an atmospheric pressure higher than the pressure at sea level. Breathing hyperbaric oxygen to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy is being studied.
|
(hye-per-kal-SEE-mee-a)
Abnormally high blood calcium.
|
A way of giving radiation therapy in smaller-than-usual doses two or three times a day instead of once a day.
|
Abnormally high blood sugar.
|
St. John's wort. An herbal product sold as an over-the-counter treatment for depression. It is being studied for its ability to lessen certain side effects of cancer treatment.
|
(hye-per-PLAY-zha)
An abnormal increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue.
|
An exaggerated response by the immune system to a drug or other substance.
|
Abnormally high blood pressure.
|
(hye-per-THER-mee-a)
A type of treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures to damage and kill cancer cells or to make cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation and certain anticancer drugs.
|
A procedure in which a warmed solution containing anticancer drugs is used to bathe, or is passed through the blood vessels of, the tissue or organ containing the tumor.
|
Too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms include weight loss, chest pain, cramps, diarrhea, and nervousness. Also called overactive thyroid.
|
A buildup of uric acid (a byproduct of metabolism) in the blood; a side effect of some anticancer drugs.
|
Having a large number of blood vessels.
|
A trance-like state in which a person becomes more aware and focused and is more open to suggestion.
|
Abnormally low blood sugar.
|
The bottom part of the throat. Cancer of the hypopharynx is also called hypopharyngeal cancer.
|
Abnormally low blood pressure.
|
(hye-po-THAL-uh-mus)
The area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst.
|
A tentative proposal made to explain certain observations or facts that requires further investigation to be verified.
|
Too little thyroid hormone. Symptoms include weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and sensitivity to the cold. Also called underactive thyroid.
|
Having too little oxygen.
|
(hiss-ter-EK-toe-mee)
An operation in which the uterus is removed.
|
