Glossary of Medical Terms

A substance used to make drugs that prevent and treat blood clots in blood vessels and treat certain heart conditions. Coumarin is taken from certain plants and can also be made in the laboratory. It is a type of anticoagulant.

An estrogen-like substance (phytoestrogen) made by some plants. Coumestans may have anticancer effects.

A type of coumestan. Coumestans are estrogen-like substances (phytoestrogens) made by some plants. Coumestans may have anticancer effects.

The process by which a professional counselor helps a person cope with mental or emotional distress, and understand and solve personal problems.

A specialist who talks to patients and their families about emotional and personal matters, and can help them make decisions. Also called mental health counselor.

A treatment plan made up of several cycles of treatment. For example, treatment given for one week followed by three weeks of rest (no treatment) is one treatment cycle. When a treatment cycle is repeated multiple times on a regular schedule, it makes up a course of treatment. A course of treatment can last for several months. Also called treatment course.

A highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. SARS-CoV-2 is thought to spread from person to person through droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It may also be spread by touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching one’s mouth, nose, or eyes. The most common signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and trouble breathing. Muscle pain, chills, headache, sore throat, and a loss of taste or smell may also occur. The signs and symptoms usually appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Some people may not have any symptoms but are still able to spread the virus. Most people with COVID-19 recover without needing special treatment. But other people are at higher risk of serious illness. Those at higher risk include older adults and people with serious medical problems, such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, cancer, or a weak immune system. Serious illness may include life-threatening pneumonia and organ failure. Research is being done to treat COVID-19 and to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2. Also called coronavirus disease 19.

A rare inherited disorder marked by the presence of many benign (not cancer) growths called hamartomas and an increased risk of cancer. Hamartomas form in different parts of the body, especially the skin, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract. Other benign tumors may also occur in the thyroid, breast, uterus, soft tissue, and brain. Other signs and symptoms include a larger-than-average head, abnormal skin changes, blood vessel problems, autism spectrum disorder, and learning and developmental delays. People with Cowden disease have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, including melanoma and cancers of the breast, thyroid, endometrium, kidney, colon, and rectum. Cowden disease is usually caused by mutations (changes) in the PTEN gene. Also called Cowden syndrome and multiple hamartoma syndrome.

A rare inherited disorder marked by the presence of many benign (not cancer) growths called hamartomas and an increased risk of cancer. Hamartomas form in different parts of the body, especially the skin, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract. Other benign tumors may also occur in the thyroid, breast, uterus, soft tissue, and brain. Other signs and symptoms include a larger-than-average head, abnormal skin changes, blood vessel problems, autism spectrum disorder, and learning and developmental delays. People with Cowden syndrome have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, including melanoma and cancers of the breast, thyroid, endometrium, kidney, colon, and rectum. Cowden syndrome is usually caused by mutations (changes) in the PTEN gene. Also called Cowden disease and multiple hamartoma syndrome.

A type of drug that is used to treat inflammation and pain, and is being studied in the prevention and treatment of cancer. COX inhibitors belong to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Also called cyclooxygenase inhibitor.