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Glossary

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  • X-rays

    A type of radiation used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays are used to treat cancer.

  • Xeroderma pigmentosum

    (ZEER-oh-DER-ma pig-men-TOH-sum)

    A genetic condition marked by an extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, including sunlight. People with xeroderma pigmentosum are not able to repair skin damage from the sun and other sources of ultraviolet radiation, and have a very high risk of skin cancer.

  • Yeast infection

    yeest in-FEK-shun

    A condition in which too much yeast grows in certain areas of the body and causes symptoms and disease. Small amounts of yeast normally live on the skin and in other parts of the body, such as the mouth, throat, and vagina. Sometimes, too much yeast can grow in these areas and cause infection. Yeast infections may also occur in the blood and spread throughout the body, but this is rare. Certain conditions, such as a weakened immune system, diabetes, pregnancy, hormone changes, and stress, and use of certain medicines may increase the risk of yeast infection.

  • Zoster immune globulin

    Making the infection less serious. Zoster immune globulin is given as an intramuscular injection while plasma is given intravenously.

  • anticipatory nausea and vomiting

    (an-TIH-suh-puh-TOR-ee NAW-zee-uh … VAH-mih-ting)

    Nausea and vomiting that may occur before a chemotherapy treatment session begins in a patient who has had chemotherapy before. Anticipatory nausea and vomiting is caused by triggers, such as the sights, smells, or sounds of the treatment room. For example, a patient who smells an alcohol swab when starting chemotherapy may later become nauseous or vomit at the smell of an alcohol swab. The more chemotherapy sessions a patient has, the more likely it is that anticipatory nausea and vomiting will occur. Also called ANV.

  • asthma

    AZ-muh

    A chronic disease in which the bronchial airways in the lungs become narrowed and swollen, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing. An asthma attack may be brought on by pet hair, dust, smoke, pollen, mold, exercise, cold air, or stress.

  • cystic fibrosis

    SIS-tik fy-BROH-sis

    A common hereditary disease in which exocrine (secretory) glands produce abnormally thick mucus. This mucus can cause problems in digestion, breathing, and body cooling.

  • endometriosis

    EN-doh-MEE-tree-OH-sis

    A benign condition in which tissue that looks like endometrial tissue grows in abnormal places in the abdomen.

  • fibroid

    FY-broyd

    A benign smooth-muscle tumor, usually in the uterus or gastrointestinal tract. Also called leiomyoma.

  • fibroids

    FY-broyd

    Benign smooth-muscle tumors, usually in the uterus or gastrointestinal tract. Also called leiomyoma.