Glossary of Medical Terms

An irregular heartbeat that occurs when the electrical signals in the atria (the two upper chambers of the heart) fire rapidly at the same time. This causes the heart to beat faster than normal. Although afib can occur without any signs or symptoms, it may sometimes cause fatigue, chest pain, heart palpitations, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, dizziness or fainting, weakness, and other signs and symptoms. Afib may be caused by certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart attack, coronary artery disease, abnormal heart valves, congenital heart disease, lung disease, viral infections, or an overactive thyroid gland. Previous heart surgery, stress, or exposure to caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, or certain medicines may also lead to afib. It may go away on its own or it may last for many years. If not treated, afib can lead to serious problems, such as blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. It is more common in older adults. Also called atrial fibrillation.

A drug used with exemestane to treat some postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer that is hormone receptor positive and HER2 negative. It is also used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer) and certain types of pancreatic, lung, and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. Afinitor is also used to treat renal angiomyolipoma (a type of benign kidney tumor) and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (a type of benign brain tumor) in patients who have tuberous sclerosis. It blocks a protein involved in cell division, which may help keep abnormal cells, including cancer cells, from growing. It may also prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. Afinitor contains the active ingredient everolimus. It is a type of kinase inhibitor and a type of angiogenesis inhibitor.

A drug used to treat subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (a type of benign brain tumor) and certain types of seizures in patients who have tuberous sclerosis. Afinitor Disperz blocks a protein involved in cell division, which may help keep abnormal cells from growing. It may also prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It may also help prevent or treat seizures in some patients. Afinitor Disperz contains the active ingredient everolimus. It is a type of kinase inhibitor and a type of angiogenesis inhibitor.

A harmful substance made by certain types of mold (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus) that is often found on poorly stored grains and nuts. Consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxin is a risk factor for primary liver cancer.

A protein normally produced by a fetus. AFP levels are usually undetectable in the blood of healthy adult men or women (who are not pregnant). An elevated level of AFP suggests the presence of either a primary liver cancer or germ cell tumor. Also called alpha-fetoprotein.

A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. AFP464 kills cancer cells or stops them from dividing. It is a type of aminoflavone.

A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors and protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

A drug used to treat adults with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and is castration resistant (has not responded to treatments that lower testosterone levels). It is used in patients whose cancer has certain mutations (changes) in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and who have already been treated with antiandrogen therapy and anticancer drugs that included a taxane. AG014699 is also used as maintenance therapy to treat adults with recurrent ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer that has gotten better after treatment with anticancer drugs that included platinum. It is also used to treat adults whose cancer has certain mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and has already been treated with at least two other types of anticancer drugs. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. AG014699 blocks an enzyme involved in many cell functions, including the repair of DNA damage. Blocking this enzyme may help keep cancer cells from growing and may kill them. AG014699 is a type of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor. Also called PARP-1 inhibitor AG014699, Rubraca, and rucaparib camsylate.

A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called glycinamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase inhibitors.

A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor and belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors. Also called prinomastat.