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Glossary

Showing 381-390 out of 1196 Terms

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  • Drug therapy

    (drug-THAYR-uh-pee)

    Treatment with any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition.

  • Drug tolerance

    (drug-TAH-leh-runts)

    A condition that occurs when the body gets used to a medicine so that either more medicine is needed or different medicine is needed.

  • Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

    (DUK-tul KAR-sih-NOH-muh in SY-too)

    A noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct. The abnormal cells have not spread outside the duct to other tissues in the breast. In some cases, ductal carcinoma in situ may become invasive cancer and spread to other tissues. At this time, there is no way to know which lesions could become invasive. Also called DCIS and intraductal carcinoma.

  • Duodenum

    (DOO-ah-DEE-num)

    The first part of the small intestine. It connects to the stomach. The duodenum helps to further digest food coming from the stomach. It absorbs nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and water from food so they can be used by the body.

  • Dye/contrast

    A substance comparatively opaque to X-rays introduced into the body to compare to an internal part with its surrounding tissue in radiographic visualization.

  • Dyscrasia

    (dis-KRAY-zhuh)

    Disease. Usually refers to diseases of the blood.

  • Dyskeratosis congenita

    (dis-KAYR-uh-TOH-sis kun-JEH-nih-tuh)

    A rare, inherited disorder that can affect many parts of the body, especially the nails, skin, and mouth.

  • Dysphagia

    dis-FAY-jee-uh

    Difficulty swallowing.

  • Dysplastic nevi

    dis-PLAS-tik NEE-vus

    A specific type of nevus (mole) that looks different from a common mole. Dysplastic nevi are mostly flat and often larger than common moles and have borders that are irregular. A dysplastic nevus can contain different colors, which can range from pink to dark brown. Parts of the mole may be raised above the skin surface. A dysplastic nevus may develop into melanoma (a type of skin cancer), and the more dysplastic nevi a person has, the higher the risk of melanoma. A dysplastic nevus is sometimes called an atypical mole.

  • Dyspnea

    (DISP-nee-uh)

    Difficult, painful breathing or shortness of breath.