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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.
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Injection
(in-JEK-shun)
Use of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a ""shot."".
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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).
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Inoperable
(in-AH-peh-ruh-bul)
Describes a condition that cannot be treated by surgery.
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Insomnia
(in-SOM-nee-uh)
Difficulty in going to sleep or getting enough sleep.
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Instillation
(in-stih-LAY-shun)
In medicine, a method used to put a liquid into the body slowly or drop by drop.
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Institutional Review Board
(IN-stih-TOO-shuh-nul reh-VYOO bord)
A group of scientists, doctors, clergy, and patient advocates that reviews and approves the detailed plan for a clinical trial. Institutional Review Boards are meant to protect the people who take part in a clinical trial. They check to see that the trial is well designed, legal, ethical, does not involve unneeded risks, and includes a safety plan for patients. There is an Institutional Review Board at every health care facility that does clinical research, and every trial is reviewed by an Institutional Review Board before the trial begins. Also called IRB.
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Integrated medicine
(IN-teh-gray-tiv MEH-dih-sin)
A type of medical care that combines conventional (standard) medical treatment with complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies that have been shown to be safe and to work. CAM therapies treat the mind, body, and spirit.
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Intensification therapy
(in-TEN-sih-fih-KAY-shun THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment that is given after cancer has disappeared following the initial therapy. Intensification therapy is used to kill any cancer cells that may be left in the body. It may include radiation therapy, a stem cell transplant, or treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells. Also called consolidation therapy and postremission therapy.
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Internal Medicine
(in-TER-nul MEH-dih-sin)
A branch of medicine that specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases in adults, without using surgery. An internal medicine doctor is often a person’s main health care provider and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists.
