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Glossary

Showing 851-860 out of 1184 Terms

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  • Noonan syndrome

    (NOO-nun SIN-drome)

    A genetic disorder marked by unusual facial features, being shorter than normal, learning problems, heart defects, bleeding problems, defects in the skeleton (bones of the body), and fertility problems in males. People with Noonan syndrome have an increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as rhabdomyosarcoma (a soft tissue tumor), neuroblastoma (cancer of immature nerve cells), and some types of leukemia.

  • Nuclear medicine

    NOO-klee-er MEH-dih-sin

    A branch of medicine that uses small amounts of radioactive substances to make pictures of areas inside the body and to treat disease. In cancer, the radioactive substance may be used with a special machine (such as a PET scanner) to find the cancer, to see how far it has spread, or to see how well a treatment is working. Radioactive substances may also be used to treat certain types of cancer, such as thyroid cancer and lymphoma.

  • Nuclear medicine scan

    (NOO-klee-er MEH-dih-sin skan)

    A method that uses radioactive substances to make pictures of areas inside the body. The radioactive substance is injected into the body, and locates and binds to specific cells or tissues, including cancer cells. Images are made using a special machine that detects the radioactive substance. Also called radioimaging.

  • Numb

    Devoid of sensation.

  • Nurse practitioner

    (... prak-TIH-shuh-ner)

    A registered nurse who has additional education and training in how to diagnose and treat disease. Nurse practitioners are licensed at the state level and certified by national nursing organizations. In cancer care, a nurse practitioner may manage the primary care of patients and their families, based on a practice agreement with a doctor. Also called advanced practice nurse, APN, and NP.

  • Nurse practitioners

    (... prak-TIH-shuh-ners)

    Registered nurses who have additional education and training in how to diagnose and treat disease. Nurse practitioners are licensed at the state level and certified by national nursing organizations. In cancer care, a nurse practitioner may manage the primary care of patients and their families, based on a practice agreement with a doctor. Also called advanced practice nurse, APN, and NP.

  • Nutrients

    (NOO-tree-ents)

    A chemical compound (such as protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamin, or mineral) contained in foods. These compounds are used by the body to function and grow.

  • Obesity

    (oh-BEE-sih-tee)

    A condition marked by an abnormally high, unhealthy amount of body fat.

  • Observation

    (OB-ser-VAY-shun)

    In medicine, watching a patient’s condition but not giving treatment unless symptoms appear or change.

  • Occupational therapist

    (AH-kyoo-PAY-shuh-nul THAYR-uh-pist)

    A health professional trained to help people who are ill or disabled learn to manage their daily activities.