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Glossary

Showing 551-560 out of 1156 Terms

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  • Hepatitis B

    (HEH-puh-TY-tis ...)

    A virus that causes hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It is carried and passed to others through the blood and other body fluids. Different ways the virus is spread include sharing needles with an infected person and being stuck accidentally by a needle contaminated with the virus. Infants born to infected mothers may also become infected with the virus. Although many patients who are infected with hepatitis B virus may not have symptoms, long-term infection may lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer. Also called HBV.

  • Hepatoblastoma

    HEH-puh-toh-bla-STOH-muh

    A type of liver tumor that occurs in infants and children.

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma

    A type of adenocarcinoma and the most common type of liver tumor.

  • Herbal supplement

    (ER-bul SUH-pleh-ment)

    A product made from a plant that is thought to be useful in treating disease or staying healthy. Herbal supplements are taken by mouth.

  • Hereditary

    In medicine, describes the passing of genetic information from parent to child through the genes in sperm and egg cells. Also called inherited.

  • High blood pressure

    (hy blud PREH-sher)

    A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. It can harm the arteries and cause an increase in the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and blindness. Also called hypertension.

  • High-dose chemotherapy

    (hy-dose kee-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)

    An intensive drug treatment to kill cancer cells, but that also destroys the bone marrow and can cause other severe side effects. High-dose chemotherapy is usually followed by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation to rebuild the bone marrow.

  • High-dose radiation

    (hy-dose RAY-dee-AY-shun)

    An amount of radiation that is greater than that given in typical radiation therapy. High-dose radiation is precisely directed at the tumor to avoid damaging healthy tissue, and may kill more cancer cells in fewer treatments. Also called HDR.

  • High-grade

    (hy grayd)

    A term used to describe cells and tissue that look abnormal under a microscope. High-grade cancer cells tend to grow and spread more quickly than low-grade cancer cells. Cancer grade may be used to help plan treatment and determine prognosis. High-grade cancers usually have a worse prognosis than low-grade cancers and may need treatment right away or treatment that is more aggressive (intensive).

  • High-risk cancer

    (hy-risk KAN-ser)

    Cancer that is likely to recur (come back), or spread.