Glossary of Medical Terms

An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It includes the drugs cytarabine (Ara-C), daunorubicin hydrochloride, and etoposide phosphate. Also called ADE.

A chemical compound that is used to make one of the building blocks of DNA and RNA. It is also a part of many substances in the body that give energy to cells. Adenine is a type of purine.

Cancer that begins in glandular (secretory) cells. Glandular cells are found in tissue that lines certain internal organs and makes and releases substances in the body, such as mucus, digestive juices, or other fluids. Most cancers of the breast, pancreas, lung, prostate, and colon are adenocarcinomas.

A condition in which abnormal cells are found in the glandular tissue that lines certain internal organs, such as the uterus, cervix, lung, pancreas, and colon. Adenocarcinoma in situ, which occurs most often in the cervix, may become cancer and spread to nearby normal tissue. Also called AIS.

A rare type of cancer that usually begins in the salivary glands.

A tumor that is not cancer. It starts in gland-like cells of the epithelial tissue (thin layer of tissue that covers organs, glands, and other structures within the body).

Large or swollen lymph glands.

A tumor that is a mixture of an adenoma (a tumor that starts in the gland-like cells of epithelial tissue) and a sarcoma (a tumor that starts in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue). An example of an adenosarcoma is Wilms tumor.

A rare, inherited disorder in which the immune system is damaged, causing a person to have a complete lack of B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes (types of white blood cells that help the body fight infection). People with adenosine deaminase-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency are at high risk of developing life-threatening viral, bacterial, and fungal infections and certain types of cancers. Signs and symptoms of adenosine deaminase-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency usually occur before 6 months of age and include serious lung infections, chronic diarrhea, skin rashes, and slow growth and development. When symptoms begin later in life, they are usually milder. Adenosine deaminase-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency is caused by mutations (changes) in the ADA gene. The ADA gene makes an enzyme called adenosine deaminase, which helps protect lymphocytes from harmful substances in the body. Also called ADA-SCID.

A substance present in all living cells that provides energy for many metabolic processes and is involved in making RNA. Adenosine triphosphate made in the laboratory is being studied in patients with advanced solid tumors to see if it can decrease weight loss and improve muscle strength. Also called ATP.