Glossary of Medical Terms

A substance being studied in the treatment of melanoma and many other types of cancer. D-1MT blocks the breakdown of the amino acid tryptophan, which is needed for T cells (a type of immune system cell) to kill tumor cells. Giving D-1MT to patients who have received chemotherapy for cancer may help kill more tumor cells. It is a type of enzyme inhibitor and immunosuppressant. Also called 1-methyl-d-tryptophan.

A synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antagonist that suppresses LH and sex steroid levels.

A drug used to treat tuberculosis. It is also being studied in the treatment of pain and nerve problems (numbness, tingling) caused by chemotherapy and in the treatment of low back pain, autism, certain anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. D-cycloserine is a type of antibiotic. Also called Seromycin.

A procedure to scrape and remove tissue from the inner lining of the uterus. The cervix is dilated (made larger) and a curette (spoon-shaped instrument) is inserted into the uterus to remove tissue. A tissue sample may then be checked under a microscope for signs of disease, such as infection or cancer. A D&C may also be done after a miscarriage or to treat certain conditions, such as abnormal bleeding. Also called dilatation and curettage and dilation and curettage.

An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It includes the drugs etoposide phosphate, prednisone, vincristine sulfate (Oncovin), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride (hydroxydaunorubicin), and rituximab. During each treatment cycle, the doses of some of the drugs may be increased or decreased to allow the patient to receive the dose that works the best with the fewest side effects. Also called DA-EPOCH-R regimen, dose-adjusted EPOCH-R, and dose-adjusted EPOCH-R regimen.

An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It includes the drugs etoposide phosphate, prednisone, vincristine sulfate (Oncovin), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride (hydroxydaunorubicin), and rituximab. During each treatment cycle, the doses of some of the drugs may be increased or decreased to allow the patient to receive the dose that works the best with the fewest side effects. Also called DA-EPOCH-R, dose-adjusted EPOCH-R, and dose-adjusted EPOCH-R regimen.

The root of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. The scientific name is Rheum palmatum or Rheum officinale. Also called Chinese rhubarb, Indian rhubarb, rhubarb, and Turkish rhubarb.

A drug used with trametinib to treat anaplastic thyroid cancer and non-small cell lung cancer that are advanced or have spread to other parts of the body. It is also used alone or with trametinib to treat certain types of melanoma. Dabrafenib mesylate is used in patients whose cancer has a mutated (changed) form of a gene called BRAF. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Dabrafenib mesylate blocks certain proteins made by the mutated BRAF gene, which may help keep cancer cells from growing and may kill them. It is a type of kinase inhibitor and a type of targeted therapy. Also called Tafinlar.

A rare, slow-growing tumor of blood vessels that forms in or under the skin anywhere on the body. Dabska tumors may appear as firm, raised, purplish bumps, which may be small or large. They usually do not spread to other parts of the body. Dabska tumors can occur in children and adults. They are a type of vascular tumor. Also called papillary intralymphatic angioendothelioma.

A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Also called acridine carboxamide.