Menu Close

Glossary

Showing 1001-1010 out of 1156 Terms

We're sorry, it looks like there has been an error. Please try again soon.

  • Schwannoma

    (shwah-NOH-muh)

    A tumor of the peripheral nervous system that arises in the nerve sheath (protective covering). It is almost always benign, but rare malignant schwannomas have been reported.

  • Second primary cancer

    (SEH-kund PRY-mayr-ee KAN-ser)

    A term used to describe a new primary cancer that occurs in a person who has had cancer in the past. Second primary cancers may occur months or years after the original (primary) cancer was diagnosed and treated. Certain types of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may increase the risk of a second primary cancer. Having certain inherited gene mutations (changes) and being exposed to certain cancer-causing substances, such as tobacco smoke, may also increase the risk of a second primary cancer.

  • Sedation

    (seh-DAY-shun)

    A state of calmness, relaxation, or sleepiness caused by certain drugs. Sedation may be used to help relieve anxiety during medical or surgical procedures or to help cope with very stressful events. Drugs that relieve pain may be used at the same time.

  • Sedative

    (SEH-duh-tiv)

    A drug or substance used to calm a person down, relieve anxiety, or help a person sleep.

  • Sedimentation rate

    (SEH-dih-men-TAY-shun rayt)

    The distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube. The sedimentation rate is increased in inflammation, infection, cancer, rheumatic diseases, and diseases of the blood and bone marrow. Also called erythrocyte sedimentation rate and ESR.

  • Seizure

    An abnormal state in which you become unconscious and your body moves in an uncontrolled and violent way.

  • Seizures

    An abnormal state in which you become unconscious and your body moves in an uncontrolled and violent way.

  • Sentinel lymph node biopsy

    SEN-tih-nul limf node BY-op-see

    Removal and examination of the sentinel node(s) (the first lymph node(s) to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor). To identify the sentinel lymph node(s), the surgeon injects a radioactive substance, blue dye, or both near the tumor. The surgeon then uses a probe to find the sentinel lymph node(s) containing the radioactive substance or looks for the lymph node(s) stained with dye. The surgeon then removes the sentinel node(s) to check for the presence of cancer cells.

  • Sepsis

    (SEP-sis)

    The presence of bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues.

  • Septicemia/sepsis

    (SEP-tih-SEE-mee-uh)/(SEP-sis)

    A very serious bacterial or fungal blood infection which has usually spread from another site of infection such as skin, bowel, or urinary tract. It is usually associated with high fever, shaking chills, and heavy sweating. It is more likely to occur in patients with very low white blood cells.