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Bereavement
(beh-REEV-ment)
A state of sadness, grief, and mourning after the loss of a loved one.
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Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin
(BAY-tuh-HYOO-mun KOR-ee-AH-nik goh-NA-doh-TROH-pin)
A hormone found in the blood and urine during pregnancy. It may also be found in higher than normal amounts in patients with some types of cancer, including testicular, ovarian, liver, stomach, and lung cancers, and in other disorders. Measuring the amount of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood or urine of cancer patients may help to diagnose cancer and find out how well cancer treatment is working. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin is a type of tumor marker. Also called beta-hCG.
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Bilateral
(by-LA-teh-rul)
Affecting both the left and right sides of the body.
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Bile
(bile)
A fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile is excreted into the small intestine, where it helps digest fat.
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Bilirubin
(BIH-lih-ROO-bin)
Substance formed when red blood cells are broken down. Bilirubin is part of the bile, which is made in the liver and is stored in the gallbladder. The abnormal buildup of bilirubin causes jaundice.
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Biological
(BY-oh-LAH-jih-kul)
In medicine, refers to a substance made from a living organism or its products.
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Biological agent
(BY-oh-LAH-jih-kul AY-jent)
A substance that is made from a living organism or its products and is used in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer and other diseases. Biological agents include antibodies, interleukins, and vaccines. Also called biologic agent and biological drug.
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Biological profile
(BY-oh-LAH-jih-kul PROH-file)
A summary of the biological actions of a substance. A biological profile may come from patient data or from tests done in the laboratory or in anima.
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Biological therapy
(BY-oh-LAH-jih-kul THAYR-uh-pee)
A type of treatment that uses substances made from living organisms to treat disease. These substances may occur naturally in the body or may be made in the laboratory. Some biological therapies stimulate or suppress the immune system to help the body fight cancer, infection, and other diseases. Other biological therapies attack specific cancer cells, which may help keep them from growing or kill them. They may also lessen certain side effects caused by some cancer treatments. Types of biological therapy include immunotherapy (such as vaccines, cytokines, and some antibodies), gene therapy, and some targeted therapies. Also called biological response modifier therapy, biotherapy, and BRM therapy.
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Biomarker
(BY-oh-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 biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Also called molecular marker and signature molecule.
