Acquired immune deficiency syndrome   (AIDS)
Viral disease that destroys the body’s ability to fight infections, leaving the body susceptible to many diseases.

Acupuncture    
Traditional Chinese medical treatment that seeks to correct the flow of life force, or Qi, using thin needles placed at specific points on the body.

Acute   
Describes a sudden onset of symptoms or disease.

Adenocarcinoma:    
A malignant tumor arising from glandular tissue.

Adenoma    
A benign tumor made up of glandular tissue. For example, an adenoma of the pituitary gland may cause it to produce abnormal amounts of hormones.

Adjuvant chemotherapy    
Chemotherapy given to kill any remaining cancer cells, usually after all detectable tumor is removed by surgery or radiotherapy.

Adrenal glands    
Two small organs near the kidneys that release hormones.

Advance directive    
Legal document that addresses the use of life support measures if required.

Allogeneic   
The infusion of bone marrow from one individual (donor) to another.

Alopecia    
The loss of hair, which may include all body hair besides scalp hair. Also called an “inherited” risk factor, but this does not necessarily have to be inherited from a parent. It can be acquired in a germline cell through lifestyle behaviors or through exposure to hazards in the environment. Once this cell is altered, the mutated gene can pass to the next generation.

Alpha feta protein    (AFP)
A tumor marker.

Alternative medicine   
Healing practices other than those of mainstream medicine.

Analgesic    
Any drug that relieves pain. Aspirin and acetaminophen are mild analgesics.

Anemia    
A condition in which a decreased number of red blood cells may cause symptoms including tiredness, shortness of breath, and weakness.

Aneuploid    
Cells that contain an abnormal amount of DNA.

Anorexia    
The loss of appetite.

Antibody    
A substance produced by the body to defend the body against infection.

Antiemetics    
Drugs that are used to decrease the sensation of nausea.

Antifungal   
A drug used to treat fungal infections.

Antigen:    
A foreign substance in the body, such as protein, bacteria, viruses, or other materials, that stimulate the body to produce antibodies against them.

Antineoplastic agents   
A drug that prevents, kills, or blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Arrhythmia    
An irregular heartbeat.

Ascites    
An accumulation of fluid within the abdomen that can occur in women with noncancerous conditions (e.g., liver cirrhosis) and with different types of cancer.

Aspiration    
The process of removing fluid/ tissue from a specific area.

Autoimmunity    
A condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly fights and rejects body’s own tissues.

Autologous    
The infusion of a patient’s own bone marrow previously taken and stored.

Autologous transplant    
Tissue taken from a patient and returned to the same patient.

Axilla    
The armpit.

Axillary nodes    
Lymph nodes – also called lymph glands – found in the armpit (axilla).