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Glossary

Showing 771-780 out of 1156 Terms

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  • Minimally invasive surgery

    (MIH-nih-muh-lee in-VAY-siv SER-juh-ree)

    Surgery that is done using small incisions (cuts) and few stitches. During minimally invasive surgery, one or more small incisions may be made in the body. A laparoscope (thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing) is inserted through one opening to guide the surgery. Tiny surgical instruments are inserted through other openings to do the surgery. Minimally invasive surgery may cause less pain, scarring, and damage to healthy tissue, and the patient may have a faster recovery than with traditional surgery.

  • Mismatch repair

    (MIS-match reh-PAYR)

    Describes cells that have mutations (changes) in certain genes that are involved in correcting mistakes made when DNA is copied in a cell. Mismatch repair (MMR) deficient cells usually have many DNA mutations, which may lead to cancer.

  • Mitigate

    (MIH-tih-gayt)

    To make milder or less painful.

  • Mitochondria

    (MY-toh-KON-dree-uh)

    Small structures in a cell that are found in the cytoplasm (fluid that surrounds the cell nucleus). Mitochondria make most of the energy for the cell and have their own genetic material that is different from the genetic material found in the nucleus. Many diseases are caused by mutations (changes) in the DNA of mitochondria. Mitochondria are cell organelles.

  • Mitotane

    MY-toh-tane

    An anticancer drug used in treating adrenocortical cancer and ACTH-producing pituitary tumors (Cushing disease).

  • Mixed lymphocyte culture assay

    A technique to determine compatibility between individuals. Differences in HL-A antigens between two individuals will cause an immune reaction between their lymphocytes mixed in culture. This reactivity can be measured in the MLC assay. Compatible individuals have negative MLC's.

  • Modality

    (moh-DA-lih-tee)

    A method of treatment. For example, surgery and chemotherapy are treatment modalities.

  • Moderate sedation

    (MAH-deh-rut seh-DAY-shun)

    A level of sedation in which a person is asleep but wakes when spoken to or touched. Moderate sedation is caused by special drugs and is used to help relieve anxiety during certain medical or surgical procedures. Drugs that relieve pain may be given at the same time. Also called conscious sedation.

  • Molecular marker

    (muh-LEH-kyoo-ler MAR-ker)

    A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A molecular marker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Also called biomarker and signature molecule.

  • Molecular markers

    (muh-LEH-kyoo-ler MAR-kers)

    A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A molecular marker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Also called biomarker and signature molecule.