ibritumomab tiuxetan: An anticancer drug that is a combination of a monoclonal antibody and a radioisotope (yttrium-90). Also called IDEC-Y2B8 monoclonal antibody.

ICI 182780: A drug that blocks estrogen activity in the body and is used in the therapy of estrogen-dependent tumors such as breast cancer.

idarubicin: An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics. Also called 4-demethoxydaunorubicin.

IDEC-In2B8: A radiolabeled antibody being that is being studied in cancer treatment.

IDEC-Y2B8 monoclonal antibody: An anticancer drug that is a combination of a monoclonal antibody and a radioisotope (yttrium-90). Also called ibritumomab tiuxetan. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells.

idiopathic: Describes a disease of unknown cause.

idiopathic myelofibrosis: A progressive disease in which the bone marrow is replaced by fibrous tissue and is unable to produce red blood cells; the cause is unknown.

idoxifene: A drug that blocks the effects of estrogen.

idoxuridine: A drug that reduces the risk of cancer cell growth by interfering with the cells' DNA.

ifosfamide: An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.

ileostomy (il-ee-AHS-toe-mee): An opening into the ileum, part of the small intestine, from the outside of the body. An ileostomy provides a new path for waste material to leave the body after part of the intestine has been removed.

ILX-295501: A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called diarysulfonylureas.

ILX23-7553: A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug.

IM-862: An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors.

imagery: A technique in which the person focuses on positive images in his or her mind.

imaging: Tests that produce pictures of areas inside the body.

imaging procedures: Methods of producing pictures of areas inside the body.

imipenem: An antibiotic drug used to treat severe or very resistant infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called carbapenems.

immune adjuvant: A drug that stimulates the immune system to respond to disease.

immune function: Production and action of cells that fight disease or infection.

immune response: The activity of the immune system against foreign substances (antigens).

immune system (im-YOON): The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infection or disease.

immunocompromised: Having a weakened immune system caused by certain diseases or treatments.

immunodeficiency: The decreased ability of the body to fight infection and disease.

immunodeficiency syndrome: The inability of the body to produce an immune response.

immunoglobulin: A protein that acts as an antibody.

immunological adjuvant: A substance used to help boost the immune response to a vaccine so that less vaccine is needed.

immunology: The study of the body's immune system.

immunoscintigraphy: An imaging procedure in which antibodies labeled with radioactive substances are given to the person. A picture is taken of sites in the body where the antibody localizes.

immunosuppression: Suppression of the body's immune system and its ability to fight infections or disease. Immunosuppression may be deliberately induced with drugs, as in preparation for bone marrow or other organ transplantation to prevent rejection of the donor tissue. It may also result from certain diseases such as AIDS or lymphoma or from anticancer drugs.

immunosuppressive: Describes the ability to lower immune system responses.

immunosuppressive therapy: Therapy used to decrease the body's immune response, such as drugs given to prevent transplant rejection.

immunotherapy (IM-yoo-no-THER-a-pee): Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease. Also used to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also called biological therapy or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy.

immunotoxin: An antibody linked to a toxic substance. Some immmunotoxins can bind to cancer cells and kill them.

implant radiation (ray-dee-AY-shun): A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near the tumor. Also called

implantable pump: A small device installed under the skin to administer a steady dose of drugs.

impotent (IM-po-tent): Unable to have an erection adequate for sexual intercourse.

in situ cancer: Early cancer that has not spread to neighboring tissue.

in vitro: In the laboratory (outside the body). The opposite of in vivo (in the body).

in vivo: In the body. The opposite of in vitro (outside the body or in the laboratory).

incidence: The number of new cases of a disease diagnosed each year.

incision (in-SIH-zhun): A cut made in the body during surgery.

incisional biopsy (in-SI-zhun-al BY-op-see): A surgical procedure in which a portion of a lump or suspicious area is removed for diagnosis. The tissue is then examined under a microscope.

incomplete Freund's adjuvant: A drug used in vaccine therapy to stimulate the immune system.

incontinence (in-KAHN-tih-nens): Inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or the escape of stool from the rectum (fecal incontinence).

incubated: Grown in the laboratory under controlled conditions. (For instance, white blood cells can be grown in special conditions so that they attack specific cancer cells when returned to the body.)

indinavir: A drug that interferes with the ability of a virus to make copies of itself.

indium In 111 pentetreotide: An anticancer drug belonging to a family of drugs called radiopharmaceuticals.

indole-3-carbinol: A substance that is being studied as a cancer prevention drug. It is found in cruciferous vegetables.

indolent (IN-doe-lint): A type of cancer that grows slowly.

indolent lymphoma: Lymphoma that grows slowly and has few symptoms.

indomethacin: A drug that belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Indomethacin reduces pain, fever, swelling and redness. It is also being used to reduce tumor-induced suppression of the immune system and to increase the effectiveness of anticancer drugs.

induction therapy: Treatment designed to be used as a first step toward shrinking the cancer and in evaluating response to drugs and other agents. Induction therapy is followed by additional therapy to eliminate whatever cancer remains.

inferior vena cava: A large vein that empties into the heart. It carries blood from the legs and feet, and from organs in the abdomen and pelvis.

infertility: The inability to produce children.

infiltrating cancer: Cancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding, healthy tissues. Also called invasive cancer.

inflammation: A response of redness, swelling, pain, and a feeling of heat in certain areas which is meant to protect tissues affected by injury or disease.

inflammatory bowel disease: A general term that refers to the inflammation of the colon and rectum. Inflammatory bowel disease includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

inflammatory breast cancer: A type of breast cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm. The skin of the breast may also show the pitted appearance called peau d'orange (like the skin of an orange). The redness and warmth occur because the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin.

infusion: A method of putting fluids, including drugs, into the bloodstream. Also called intravenous infusion.

ingestion: Taking into the body by mouth

inguinal orchiectomy (IN-gwin-al or-kee-EK-toe-mee): An operation in which the testicle is removed through an incision in the groin.

inositol: A type of sugar that differs from glucose (the chief source of energy for living organisms) in its chemical structure. Certain modified forms of inositol can be used by the body to transmit signals inside and between cells.

inositol hexaphosphate: (IP6) A substance that has been studied as a treatment for cancer. IP6 is found in large amounts in cereals and legumes. Also known as phytic acid.

insomnia: Difficulty in going to sleep or getting enough sleep.

insulin (IN-su-lin): A hormone made by the islet cells of the pancreas. Insulin controls the amount of sugar in the blood by moving it into the cells, where it can be used by the body for energy.

interferon (in-ter-FEER-on): A biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to disease). Interferons interfere with the division of cancer cells and can slow tumor growth. There are several types of interferons, including interferon-alpha, -beta, and -gamma. These substances are normally produced by the body. They are also made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases.

interleukin-1-alfa: IL-1-alfa. A type of biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's response to infection and disease). IL-1- alfa stimulates the growth and action of immune system cells that fight disease. IL-1-alfa is normally produced by the body, but it can also be made in the laboratory.

interleukin-11 (in-ter-LOO-kin): IL-11. A type of biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to disease) that stimulates immune response and may reduce toxicity to the gastrointestinal system resulting from cancer therapy. These substances are normally produced by the body. They are also made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases. Also called oprelvekin.

interleukin-12 (in-ter-LOO-kin): IL-12. A type of biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to disease) that enhances the ability of the immune system to kill tumor cells and may interfere with blood flow to the tumor. These substances are normally produced by the body. They are also made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases.

interleukin-2 (in-ter-LOO-kin): IL-2. A type of biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to disease) that stimulates the growth of certain disease-fighting blood cells in the immune system. These substances are normally produced by the body. Aldesleukin is IL-2 that is made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases.

interleukin-3 (in-ter-LOO-kin): IL-3. A type of biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to disease) that enhances the immune system's ability to fight tumor cells. These substances are normally produced by the body. They are also made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases.

interleukin-4 (in-ter-LOO-kin): IL-4. A type of biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to disease) that enhances the immune system's ability to fight tumor cells. These substances are normally produced by the body. They are also made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases.

interleukin-4 PE38KDEL cytotoxin: A substance that is being studied as an anticancer drug. It belongs to the family of drugs called recombinant chimeric proteins. Also called NBI-3001.

interleukin-4 pe38kdel immunotoxin: An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called immunotoxins.

interleukin-6 (in-ter-LOO-kin): IL-6. A type of biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's response to infection and disease). These substances are normally produced by the body, but they can also be made in the laboratory.

interleukins (in-ter-LOO-kins): Biological response modifiers (substances that can improve the body's natural response to disease) that help the immune system fight infection and cancer. These substances are normally produced by the body. They are also made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases.

intermediate-grade lymphomas: Includes diffuse, small, cleaved cell lymphoma and diffuse, large, noncleaved cell lymphoma. These are more aggressive than low-grade lymphomas, but they respond better to anticancer drugs.

internal radiation (ray-dee-AY-shun): A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near the tumor. Also called brachytherapy, implant radiation, or interstitial radiation therapy.

intestinal: Having to do with the intestines.

intestine (in-TES-tin): A long, tube-shaped organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion. There is both a large intestine and a small intestine. Also called the bowel.

intoplicine: An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.

intracarotid infusion: The introduction of fluids and drugs directly into the carotid artery, the main artery in the neck that carries blood from the heart to the brain.

intracellular: Inside a cell.

intracranial tumors: Tumors that occur in the brain.

intraductal carcinoma (DUK-tal kar-sin-O-ma in SYE-too): Abnormal cells that involve only the lining of a duct. The cells have not spread outside the duct to other tissues in the breast. Also called ductal carcinoma in situ.

intraepithelial (in-tra-eh-pih-THEEL-ee-ul): Within the layer of cells that form the surface or lining of an organ.

intrahepatic (in-tra-hep-AT-ik): Within the liver.

intrahepatic bile ducts: The bile ducts that pass through and drain bile from the liver.

intrahepatic infusion: The delivery of anticancer drugs directly to the blood vessels of the liver.

intramuscular: IM. Within or into muscle.

intramuscular injection: IM. Injection into a muscle.

intraoperative radiation therapy: IORT. Radiation treatment aimed directly at a tumor during surgery.

intraperitoneal (IN-tra-per-ih-toe-NEE-al): IP. Within the peritoneal cavity (the area that contains the abdominal organs).

intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IN-tra-per-ih-toe-NEE-al KEE-mo-THER-a-pee): Treatment in which anticancer drugs are put directly into the abdominal cavity through a thin tube.

intraperitoneal infusion: A method of delivering fluids and drugs directly into the abdominal cavity through a thin tube.

intraperitoneal radiation therapy (in-tra-per-ih-toe-NEE-al ray-dee-A-shun): Treatment in which a radioactive liquid is put directly into the abdomen through a thin tube.

intrathecal (in-tra-THEE-kal): Describes the fluid-filled space between the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord. Drugs can be injected into the fluid or a sample of the fluid can be removed for testing.

intrathecal chemotherapy (in-tra-THEE-kal KEE-mo-THER-a-pee): Anticancer drugs that are injected into the fluid-filled space between the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.

intravenous (in-tra-VEE-nus): IV. Into a vein.

intravenous pyelogram (in-tra-VEE-nus PYE-el-o-gram): IVP. A series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. The x-rays are taken after a dye is injected into a blood vessel. The dye is concentrated in the urine, which outlines the kidneys, ureters, and bladder on the x-rays.

intravenous pyelography (in-tra-VEE-nus pye-LAH-gra-fee): IVP. X-ray study of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. The x-rays are taken after a dye is injected into a blood vessel. The dye is concentrated in the urine, which outlines the kidneys, ureters, and bladder on the x-rays.

intraventricular infusion: The delivery of a drug into a space within an organ.

intravesical (in-tra-VES-ih-kal): Within the bladder.

invasive cancer: Cancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding, healthy tissues. Also called infiltrating cancer.

invasive cervical cancer: Cancer that has spread from the surface of the cervix to tissue deeper in the cervix or to other parts of the body.

ionomycin: An antibiotic drug used to treat infection.

IORT: Intraoperative radiation therapy. Radiation treatment aimed directly at a tumor during surgery.

ipsilateral: Having to do with the same side of the body.

irinotecan: An anticancer drug that belongs to a family of anticancer drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors. It is a camptothecin analogue. Also called CPT 11.

irradiation (ih-RAY-dee-AY-shun): The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy) or from materials called radioisotopes. Radioisotopes produce radiation and can be placed in or near the tumor or in the area near cancer cells. This type of radiation treatment is called internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, interstitial radiation, or brachytherapy. Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that circulates throughout the body. Irradiation is also called radiation therapy, radiotherapy, and x-ray therapy.

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

ISIS 2503: A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.

ISIS 3521: A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.

ISIS 5132: A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.

islet cell cancer (EYE-let): Cancer arising from cells in the islets of Langerhans, which are found in the pancreas.

islets of Langerhans (EYE-lets of LANG-er-hanz): Cells in the pancreas that produce hormones (including insulin).

isoflavones: Plant compounds that are found in soy products. Soy isoflavones are being studied to see if they help prevent cancer.

isolated hepatic perfusion: A procedure in which a catheter is placed into the artery that provides blood to the liver; another catheter is placed into the vein that takes blood away from the liver. This temporarily separates the liver's blood supply from blood circulating throughout the rest of the body and allows high doses of anticancer drugs to be directed to the liver only.

isolated limb perfusion: A technique 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, 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.

isolated lung perfusion: A surgical procedure during which the circulation of blood to the lungs is separated from the circulation of blood through the rest of the body, and a drug is delivered directly into the lung circulation. This allows a higher concentration of chemotherapy to reach tumors in the lungs.

isotretinoin: A drug that belongs to the family of drugs called retinoids. It is used in the treatment of acne and psoriasis and is being studied in cancer prevention. Also called 13-cis retinoic acid.

itraconazole: A drug used to prevent or treat fungal infections; it belongs to the family of drugs called antifungal agents.

IV: Intravenous (in-tra-VEE-nus). Injected into a blood vessel.

IVP: Intravenous pyelogram or intravenous pyelography (in-tra-VEE-nus PYE-el-o-gram or pye-LAH-gra-fee). A series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. The x-rays are taken after a dye is injected into a blood vessel. The dye is concentrated in the urine, which outlines the kidneys, ureters, and bladder on the x-rays.