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Glossary

Showing 661-670 out of 1175 Terms

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  • Ionizing Radiation

    (I-uh-NY-zing RAY-dee-AY-shun)

    A type of high-energy radiation that has enough energy to remove an electron (negative particle) from an atom or molecule, causing it to become ionized. Ionizing radiation can cause chemical changes in cells and damage DNA. This may increase the risk of developing certain health conditions, such as cancer. Ionizing radiation can come from natural sources, such as radon and cosmic rays (rays that enter the earth's atmosphere from outer space). It may also come from medical imaging equipment, such as x-ray, CT scan, or PET scan machines. Nuclear power plant accidents and atomic weapons also release high levels of ionizing radiation. Being exposed to very high doses of ionizing radiation can cause immediate damage to a person’s body, including severe skin or tissue damage, acute radiation sickness, and death.

  • Irradiated

    (ih-RAY-dee-AY-ted)

    Treated with radiation.

  • Irradiation

    (ih-RAY-dee-AY-shun)

    The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy). Systemic irradiation uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called radiation therapy and radiotherapy.

  • Irreversible toxicity

    (eer-ree-VER-sih-bul tok-SIH-sih-tee)

    Side effects that are caused by toxic substances or something harmful to the body and do not go away.

  • Irritable bowel syndrome

    (EER-ih-tuh-bul BOW-ul SIN-drome)

    A disorder of the intestines commonly marked by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in a person’s bowel habits. This may include diarrhea or constipation, or both, with one occurring after the other. Also called IBS, irritable colon, mucus colitis, and spastic colon.

  • Ischemia

    (is-KEE-mee-uh)

    Lack of blood supply to a part of the body. Ischemia may cause tissue damage due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients.

  • Isolated infusion

    (I-soh-LAY-ted LIM per-FYOO-zhun)

    A procedure that may be used to deliver anticancer drugs directly to an arm or leg. The flow of blood to and from the limb is temporarily stopped with a tourniquet (a tight band around the limb), and anticancer drugs are put directly into the blood of the limb. This allows the person to receive a high dose of drugs in the area where the cancer occurred. Also called limb perfusion.

  • Isolation

    (I-soh-LAY-shun)

    State of being separated from others. Isolation is sometimes used to prevent disease from spreading.

  • J tube

    (... toob)

    J stands for jejunostomy , which is surgery to create an opening into the jejunum (part of the small intestine) from the outside of the body. A jejunostomy allows a feeding tube to be put into the small intestine.

  • Jamshidi needle

    (jam-SHEE-dee NEE-dul)

    A long, hollow needle with a tapered cutting edge on one end and a handle with a place to attach a syringe on the other end. It is used to remove a sample of tissue from the bone marrow. The needle is inserted through the bone into the bone marrow and the syringe is attached to the top to remove the sample or to deliver drugs or fluid into the bone. A Jamshidi needle is a type of bone marrow needle.