Medical terms A–Z

A fast heart is usually the body responding correctly to something else, and the real question is what that something else is.

Tachypnea is a breathing rate that is abnormally high for a person’s age and clinical circumstances.

Tacrolimus suppresses the immune system by blocking a step in T cell activation, and is used mainly to prevent rejection after organ transplantation.

Its long duration sets it apart from others in its class, and it is the one also used for urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

A protein/sugar complex found on the surface of many cancer cells, including breast, colon, and pancreatic cells.

Constant transfer of weight through a slow sequence trains balance in a way that seated exercise and straight-line walking do not.

The small bone at the bottom of the spine.

The use of communication, drugs, or other types of treatments that are specific for an individual or a group to improve health or change behavior.

A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer, including certain types of lung, pancreas, and brain cancer.

A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer, including certain types of lung, pancreas, and brain cancer.

Talactoferrin is a laboratory made version of human lactoferrin studied as an investigational treatment, without established approved use.

A drug being studied in the treatment of kidney cancer that has spread.

A substance that is being studied in the treatment of brain tumors and other brain disorders, such as epilepsy and Parkinson disease.

A drug used in photodynamic therapy.

A soft mineral with two unrelated medical stories: one about sealing a chest cavity shut, the other about what else the rock contains.

Treatment of mental, emotional, personality, and behavioral disorders using methods such as discussion, listening, and counseling.

A substance that is being studied in the treatment of leukemia and some other types of cancer.

Timing dominates this one: it stops new virus particles escaping infected cells, so it does most good early, before the infection has peaked.

Selective is the operative word, since the same drug blocks estrogen in breast tissue while imitating it in bone and the uterus.

A tablet that blocks estrogen in breast tissue while imitating it elsewhere, which explains both its benefits and its risks.