Cancer and Oncology Terms

A type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) that is usually aggressive (fast-growing).

A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.

Used in photodynamic therapy, a drug that is absorbed by tumor cells; when exposed to light, it becomes active and kills the cancer cells.

A long established seizure medicine whose blood level climbs unpredictably with dose, which is why it is measured rather than assumed.

DIM is a compound formed when the body breaks down indole-3-carbinol from cruciferous vegetables and is sold as a dietary supplement.

A substance being studied in the treatment of advanced melanoma (a type of skin cancer) and other types of cancer.

A drug or substance used to treat hypercalcemia (abnormally high blood calcium) and bone pain caused by some types of cancer.

Cancer that continues to grow or spread.

Refers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes.

Refers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes.

The active ingredient in a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.

A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.

A chemotherapy treatment plan in which drugs are given with less time between treatments than in a standard chemotherapy treatment plan.

Radiation dose is measured and calculated through dosimetry, a process used in treatment planning as well as monitoring occupational and environmental exposure.

Not how long one cell takes to divide, but how long a whole population takes to double, which is usually far longer.

A substance being studied in the prevention of recurrent prostate cancer.

A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

A protein on the surface of certain cells that binds another protein called TRAIL, which may kill some cancer cells.

A protein on the surface of certain cells that binds another protein called TRAIL, which may kill some cancer cells.