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Glossary

Showing 641-650 out of 1184 Terms

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  • Informed consent

    (in-FORMD kun-SENT)

    A process in which patients are given important information, including possible risks and benefits, about a medical procedure or treatment, a clinical trial, or genetic testing. This is to help them decide if they want to be treated, tested, or take part in the trial. Patients are also given any new information that might affect their decision to continue. Also called consent process.

  • Infusions

    (in-FYOO-zhun)

    A method of putting fluids, including drugs, into the bloodstream. Also called intravenous infusion.

  • Ingestion

    (in-JES-chun)

    Taking into the body by mouth.

  • Inhalation

    (IN-huh-LAY-shun)

    In medicine, refers to the act of taking a substance into the body by breathing.

  • Inherited

    (in-HAYR-ih-ted)

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

  • Inherited cancer syndrome

    (in-HAYR-ih-ted KAN-ser SIN-drome)

    A type of inherited disorder in which there is a higher-than-normal risk of certain types of cancer. Inherited cancer syndromes are caused by mutations (changes) in certain genes passed from parents to children. In an inherited cancer syndrome, certain patterns of cancer may be seen within families. These patterns include having several close family members (such as a mother, daughter, and sister) with the same type of cancer, developing cancer at an early age, or having two or more types of cancer develop in the same person. Examples of inherited cancer syndromes are hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, and Lynch syndrome. Also called hereditary cancer syndrome.

  • Injection

    (in-JEK-shun)

    Use of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a ""shot."".

  • Injections

    Injections may be given intramuscularly (into a muscle), intravenously (into a vein), subcutaneously (just under the skin) or intrathecally (into the spinal column space).

  • Inoperable

    (in-AH-peh-ruh-bul)

    Describes a condition that cannot be treated by surgery.

  • Insomnia

    (in-SOM-nee-uh)

    Difficulty in going to sleep or getting enough sleep.