Glossary of Medical Terms

A drug that contains the active ingredient bevacizumab and is used to treat many different types of cancer. Avastin is used alone or with other drugs to treat certain types of cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer), glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer), hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer), and ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Avastin binds to a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. Avastin is a type of antiangiogenesis agent and a type of monoclonal antibody.

A drug used to treat bacterial infections. It is a type of fluoroquinolone. Also called moxifloxacin hydrochloride.

A drug that binds to the protein PD-L1 to help immune cells kill cancer cells better and is used to treat different types of cancer. Avelumab is used alone or with other drugs to treat certain types of advanced renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer), urothelial carcinoma (a type of bladder cancer), and Merkel cell carcinoma (a rare type of skin cancer). It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Avelumab may block PD-L1 and help the immune system kill cancer cells. It is a type of monoclonal antibody and a type of immune checkpoint inhibitor. Also called Bavencio.

A drug used to treat depression. It may also be used to treat panic or anxiety disorders and certain types of pain, and to help people quit smoking. Aventyl increases the levels of norepinephrine and other natural chemicals in the brain. This helps improve mood and may reduce a person’s craving for nicotine. It is a type of tricyclic antidepressant. Also called nortriptyline and Pamelor.

A topical preparation of tretinoin that is used to treat acne. Tretinoin is a form of vitamin A.

A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It blocks cells from making DNA and RNA and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) inhibitor.

A drug used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland. It is being studied in the treatment of male hair loss and prostate cancer. Avodart blocks enzymes the body needs to make male sex hormones. It is a type of 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Also called dutasteride and GG745.

The act of staying away from people, places, and thoughts that may cause anxiety, pain, or unpleasant feelings. Some types of cancer-related avoidance include refusing to accept a cancer diagnosis or get treatment, and using alcohol or other drugs to forget about having cancer.

The essential feature of Avoidant Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation that begins by early adulthood and is present in a variety of contexts.

A drug used to treat certain types of large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that relapsed (came back) or did not get better after treatment with at least two other types of anticancer therapy. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Axicabtagene ciloleucel is made using a patient’s T cells (a type of immune system cell). A gene for a special receptor called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is added to the T cells in the laboratory. These changed T cells called CAR T cells are grown in large numbers in the laboratory and given to the patient by infusion. Axicabtagene ciloleucel binds to a protein called CD19, which is found on most B cell lymphoma cells. This helps the body’s immune system kill cancer cells. Axicabtagene ciloleucel is a type of CAR T-cell therapy. Also called Yescarta.