Glossary of Medical Terms

A disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21 and characterized by mental retardation and distinguishing physical features.

A drug used to treat high blood pressure and urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. It relaxes muscle tissue in blood vessels and in the prostate. Doxazosin mesylate is a type of alpha blocker. Also called Cardura.

A substance being studied in the prevention of recurrent prostate cancer. It is a type of vitamin D analog.

A form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained inside very tiny, fat-like particles. It may have fewer side effects and work better than doxorubicin hydrochloride. Doxil is used to treat ovarian cancer that got worse or recurred (came back) after treatment with anticancer drugs that included platinum. It is also used to treat AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma in patients who are not able to take other anticancer drugs or did not get better after treatment with other anticancer drugs. It is also used with bortezomib to treat multiple myeloma that was already treated with at least one other anticancer therapy. Doxil is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It is a type of anthracycline antitumor antibiotic. Also called doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome and liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride.

A drug used to treat many types of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, sarcoma, Wilms tumor, and cancers of the lung, breast, stomach, ovary, thyroid, and bladder. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Doxorubicin hydrochloride comes from the bacterium Streptomyces peucetius. It damages DNA and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of anthracycline antitumor antibiotic. Doxorubicin is the active ingredient of doxorubicin hydrochloride. The brand names Adriamycin PFS, Adriamycin RDF, and Rubex have been taken off the market and are no longer available. Also called hydroxydaunorubicin.

A form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained inside very tiny, fat-like particles. It may have fewer side effects and work better than doxorubicin hydrochloride. Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome is used to treat ovarian cancer that got worse or recurred (came back) after treatment with anticancer drugs that included platinum. It is also used to treat AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma in patients who are not able to take other anticancer drugs or did not get better after treatment with other anticancer drugs. It is also used with bortezomib to treat multiple myeloma that was already treated with at least one other anticancer therapy. Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It is a type of anthracycline antitumor antibiotic. Also called Doxil and liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride.

A drug used to treat many types of bacterial infections. It stops the growth of bacteria by keeping them from making proteins. It is a type of antibiotic.

A type of power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document that gives one person (such as a relative, lawyer, or friend) the authority to make legal, medical, or financial decisions for another person. It may go into effect right away, or when that person is no longer able to make decisions for himself or herself. A DPA remains in effect until the person who grants it dies or cancels it. It does not need to be renewed over time. Also called durable power of attorney.

Belongs to a group of antihormone drugs.

A protein on the surface of certain cells that binds another protein called TRAIL, which may kill some cancer cells. An increase in the amount or activity of DR4 on cancer cells may kill more cells. Also called death receptor 4, TRAIL receptor 1, TRAIL-R1, and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 10A.