Glossary of Medical Terms

An injection of ethanol (alcohol) through the skin directly into a tumor to kill cancer cells. Ultrasound or a CT scan is used to guide the needle into the tumor. Also called ethanol ablation, PEI, and percutaneous ethanol injection.

A chronic disease in which a person craves drinks that contain alcohol and is unable to control his or her drinking. A person with this disease also needs to drink greater amounts to get the same effect and has withdrawal symptoms after stopping alcohol use. Alcohol dependence affects physical and mental health, and can cause problems with family, friends, and work. Regular heavy alcohol intake increases the risk of several types of cancer. Also called alcoholism.

A chronic disease in which a person craves drinks that contain alcohol and is unable to control his or her drinking. A person with this disease also needs to drink greater amounts to get the same effect and has withdrawal symptoms after stopping alcohol use. Alcoholism affects physical and mental health, and can cause problems with family, friends, and work. Regular heavy alcohol intake increases the risk of several types of cancer. Also called alcohol dependence.

A drug that contains the active ingredient imiquimod and is used to treat certain skin conditions. Aldara is used to treat superficial basal cell skin cancer and actinic keratosis (a skin condition that may become cancer) in adults who have a normal immune system. It is also used to treat genital warts or perianal warts in adults and in children aged 12 years or older. Aldara may help the immune system kill abnormal cells, including cancer cells. It is a type of immune response modifier.

A type of chemical substance made from alcohol. Aldehydes are found in essential oils (scented liquid taken from plants).

A drug used to treat melanoma and renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer) that have spread to other parts of the body. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Aldesleukin is a form of interleukin-2 that is made in the laboratory. Aldesleukin increases the activity and growth of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes (types of white blood cells). This may help the immune system kill cancer cells. Aldesleukin is a type of biological response modifier. Also called Proleukin and recombinant human interleukin-2.

A steroid hormone made by the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal gland). It helps control the balance of water and salts in the kidney by keeping sodium in and releasing potassium from the body. Too much aldosterone can cause high blood pressure and a build-up of fluid in body tissues. Aldosterone is a type of mineralocorticoid hormone.

An inherited immune disorder that occurs in young boys. It causes eczema (a type of skin inflammation), a decrease in the number of platelets (blood cells that help prevent bleeding), and frequent bacterial infections. People with Aldrich syndrome are at increased risk of developing leukemia and lymphoma. Also called Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

A drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and is anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positive. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Alecensa blocks certain proteins made by the ALK gene. Blocking these proteins may stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. Alecensa is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called alectinib.

A drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and is anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positive. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Alectinib blocks certain proteins made by the ALK gene. Blocking these proteins may stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. Alectinib is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called Alecensa.