Glossary of Medical Terms

A nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Coenzyme Q10 helps mitochondria (small structures in the cell) make energy. It is an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage caused by free radicals (highly reactive chemicals). Coenzyme Q10 is fat-soluble (can dissolve in fats and oils) and is found in fatty fish, beef, soybeans, peanuts, and spinach. It is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer and heart disease and in the relief of side effects caused by some cancer treatments. Also called CoQ10, Q10, ubiquinone, and vitamin Q10.

The injection of coffee through the anus into the colon (large intestine). Coffee enemas are being tested in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

A large group of researchers, hospitals, and cancer centers that get support from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to study childhood cancers. The main goal of the COG is to conduct clinical trials that test new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer in children and adolescents. These clinical trials also include supportive care and childhood cancer survivorship studies. The COG has hospitals and cancer centers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. It is part of the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). Also called Children's Oncology Group.

The mental process of thinking, learning, remembering, being aware of surroundings, and using judgment.

A type of psychotherapy that helps patients change their behavior by changing the way they think and feel about certain things. It is used to treat mental, emotional, personality, and behavioral disorders. Also called CBT and cognitive therapy.

A psychological treatment approach which focuses on enabling the client/patient to adjust the way they think (i.e. their cognition) as well as adjust their behaviour in response to events and stimuli. This therapy recognises that cognition affects behaviour and behaviour affects cognition, therefore therapy must address both. Although cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a recognised therapy within itself many psychological therapies integrate cognitive and behavioural approaches.

A disorder where the person shows decreased abilities in memory, problem solving, etc. It is generally associated with a general medical condition but could be a psychological impairment.

A type of psychotherapy that helps patients change their behavior by changing the way they think and feel about certain things. It is used to treat mental, emotional, personality, and behavioral disorders. Also called CBT and cognitive behavior therapy.

A group of individuals who share a common trait, such as birth year. In medicine, a cohort is a group that is part of a clinical trial or study and is observed over a period of time.

A research study that compares a particular outcome (such as lung cancer) in groups of individuals who are alike in many ways but differ by a certain characteristic (for example, female nurses who smoke compared with those who do not smoke).