Glossary of Medical Terms

A drug used with plasma exchange and immunosuppressive therapy to treat acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP). aTTP is a rare blood disorder in which blood clots form in small blood vessels throughout the body. Caplacizumab binds to a protein called VWF, which may help keep blood clots from forming. It is a type of nanobody (a tiny antibody). Also called Cablivi.

A drug used to treat adults with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used in patients whose cancer has a certain mutation (change) in the MET gene. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Capmatinib hydrochloride blocks a protein made by the MET gene, which may help keep cancer cells from growing and may kill them. It is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called Tabrecta.

An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat advanced colorectal cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It includes the drugs capecitabine and oxaliplatin. Also called CAPOX regimen.

An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat advanced colorectal cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It includes the drugs capecitabine and oxaliplatin. Also called CAPOX.

A drug used to treat medullary thyroid cancer that is locally advanced or has spread to other parts of the body. It is used in patients whose cancer cannot be removed by surgery. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Caprelsa prevents the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It also blocks enzymes needed for cell growth and may kill cancer cells. Caprelsa is a type of antiangiogenesis agent and a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called vandetanib and ZD6474.

A substance used to detect prostate cancer. It contains a monoclonal antibody that binds to prostate cells, linked to a substance that can bind radioisotopes. Capromab pendetide is combined with indium 111 and injected into the body. A gamma camera (a special camera that detects radioactivity) is used to find prostate cancer cells in the body. Capromab pendetide is a type of immunoconjugate. Also called ProstaScint.

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

In medicine, a sac of tissue and blood vessels that surrounds an organ, joint, or tumor. A capsule is also a form used for medicine that is taken by mouth. It usually has a shell made of gelatin with the medicine inside.

A device used to look at the inside of the intestines and other parts of the digestive tract. It is a capsule that is about the size of a large pill, with a lens, a light, a camera, a radio transmitter, and a battery inside. The patient swallows the capsule and it takes pictures as it travels through the digestive tract. The pictures are sent to a small recorder that is worn on the patient’s waist or shoulder. The pictures are then viewed on a computer by the doctor to check for signs of disease. The capsule endoscope passes out of the body during a bowel movement. Also called wireless capsule endoscope.

A procedure used to look at the inside of the intestines and other parts of the digestive tract. The patient swallows a capsule about the size of a large pill. The capsule contains a tiny wireless camera that travels through the digestive tract. It takes pictures of the inside of the digestive tract and sends them to a small recorder that is worn on the patient’s waist or shoulder. The pictures are then viewed on a computer by the doctor to check for signs of disease. The capsule passes out of the body during a bowel movement.