Glossary of Medical Terms

A radioactive substance being studied in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Carbon C 11-acetate gets taken up by cells in the body, and a PET scanner is used to find which cells in the body have taken it up. Since more carbon C 11-acetate is taken up by cancer cells than by normal cells, it can be used to help find cancer in the body and diagnose disease. Also called 11C-acetate.

A radioactive substance being studied in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to find certain types of cancer. Carbon C 11-choline gets taken up by cells in the body and more of it is taken up by cancer cells than by normal cells. A PET scanner is used to find which cells in the body have taken up carbon C 11-choline. Also called 11C-choline.

A procedure in which a small amount of carbon C 11-choline (a radioactive form of the vitamin choline) is injected into a vein. A scanner and a computer are used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body where the carbon C 11-choline collects. Cancer cells take up more carbon C 11-choline than normal cells, so the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body. Also called 11C-choline PET-CT scan.

A colorless, odorless gas. It is a waste product made by the body. Carbon dioxide travels in the blood from the body’s tissues to the lungs. Breathing out clears carbon dioxide from the lungs.

A poisonous gas that has no color or odor. It is given off by burning fuel (as in exhaust from cars or household heaters) and tobacco products. Carbon monoxide prevents red blood cells from carrying enough oxygen for cells and tissues to live.

A drug used to treat advanced ovarian cancer that has never been treated or has come back after treatment with other anticancer drugs. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Carboplatin is a form of the anticancer drug cisplatin and causes fewer side effects. It damages the cell’s DNA and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of platinum compound.

A chemotherapy combination used to treat advanced, nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer. It includes the drugs carboplatin, paclitaxel (Taxol), and bevacizumab. Also called carboplatin-Taxol-bevacizumab regimen.

A chemotherapy combination used to treat endometrial, ovarian, and head and neck cancers, and non-small cell lung cancer that has spread. It includes the drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel (Taxol). Also called Carbo-Tax regimen, carboplatin-Taxol regimen, and PC regimen.

A chemotherapy combination used to treat endometrial, ovarian, and head and neck cancers, and non-small cell lung cancer that has spread. It includes the drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel (Taxol). Also called Carbo-Tax regimen, carboplatin-Taxol, and PC regimen.

A chemotherapy combination used to treat advanced, nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer. It includes the drugs carboplatin, paclitaxel (Taxol), and bevacizumab. Also called carboplatin-paclitaxel-bevacizumab regimen.