Glossary of Medical Terms

A term used to describe breast tissue that has more fibrous and glandular tissue than fatty tissue. Dense breast tissue can only be seen on a mammogram. Having dense breast tissue may make it harder to see breast cancer or other changes in the breast on a mammogram. Women with dense breast tissue have a higher risk of breast cancer than those with mostly fatty or less dense breast tissue. Having dense breast tissue is common, especially in younger women and in women taking hormone therapy for menopause.

A metal device that is surgically placed in the jawbone. It acts as an anchor for an artificial tooth or teeth.

A health professional who has special training in caring for the teeth, gums, and other tissues in the mouth.

A rare disorder that causes kidney failure before age 3, abnormal development of the sexual organs, and, in most cases, Wilms tumor (a type of kidney cancer). Children with Denys-Drash syndrome are also at high risk of some other types of cancer. Also called DDS.

A drug that protects healthy tissues from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs.

The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next. Also called DNA.

A drug used to treat epileptic seizures and bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches. It is also being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. It blocks an enzyme that cells need to grow and may cause cancer cells to die. It also blocks the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of anticonvulsant, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, antimaniacal, migraine headache prophylactic, and antiangiogenesis agent. Also called Stavzor and valproic acid.

The U.S. federal government agency responsible for protecting the public’s health and providing important services, especially for people in need. The Department of Health and Human Services works with state and local governments throughout the country to do research and provide public health services, food and drug safety programs, health insurance programs, and many other services. There are several federal agencies that are a part of the Department of Health and Human Services. They include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS). Also called DHHS.

The physical and/or psychological effects produced by the habitual taking of certain drugs, including alcohol, leading to a compulsion to continue to take the drug.

A disorder with a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and clinging behaviour and fears of separation. This pattern begins by early adulthood.