| health care power of attorney: see durable power of attorney for health care. |
 |
|
|
| hematocrit:
(him-mat-uh-krit):
the percentage of the blood taken up by red blood cells. This can get low in people with cancer. The normal range varies by lab, but typically is around 37% to 52% of the blood volume. |
|
|
|
| hematologist:
(he-muh-TAHL-uh-jist):
a doctor who specializes in diseases of the blood and blood-forming tissues. |
|
|
|
| hematoma:
(he-muh-TO-muh):
a collection of blood outside a blood vessel caused by a leak or an injury. A bruise is an example of a hematoma. |
|
|
|
| hematuria:
(he-muh-TUR-ee-uh):
blood in the urine. |
|
|
|
| hemorrhoids:
(hem-uh-royds):
large varicose veins inside the rectum or colon. They don't cause cancer or become cancerous, although they can cause pain, large varicose veins inside the rectum or colon. They don't cause cancer or become cancerous, but they can cause pain, itching, and irritation. They can also cause slight bleeding, which can result in a positive fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test even when no cancer is present. See fecal occult blood test, fecal immunochemical test, and colorectal cancer screening. |
|
|
|
| hepatomegaly:
(hep-at-o-MEG-uh-lee):
enlargement of the liver. |
|
|
|
| HER2 gene: (sometimes called HER2/neu): this oncoprotein is present in very small amounts on the outer surface of normal breast cells. About 25% to 30% of breast cancers have too much of this protein. HER stimulates cell growth, and breast cancers that produce too much of this protein tend to be more aggressive. A monoclonal antibody used to treat this type of breast cancer attaches to the HER2 protein, slow the growth of the breast cancer cells, and may also stimulate the immune system to more effectively attack the cancer. Some other types of cancer also have too much HER2 protein. Studies of monoclonal antibody therapy for these cancers are in progress. |
|
|
|
| hereditary cancer syndrome: conditions linked with cancers that occur in several family members because of an inherited, mutated gene. |
|
|
|
| hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC):
(huh-red-i-ter-ee non-pah-lee-PO-sis):
an inherited condition that greatly increases a person's risk for developing colorectal cancer, as well as endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, small bowel cancer, or cancer of the lining of the kidney or the ureters. People with this condition tend to develop cancer at a young age without first having many polyps. |
|
|
|
| high risk: when the chance of developing cancer is greater than that normally seen in the general population. People may be at high risk from many factors, including heredity (such as a family history of breast cancer), personal habits (such as smoking), or the environment (such as overexposure to sunlight). |
|
|
|
| histology:
(hiss-tah-luh-jee):
how cells or tissues look when studied under a microscope. The histologic examination is done by a pathologist. See also pathologist. |
|
|
|
| Hodgkin disease: an often curable type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Named for the doctor who first identified it; previously called Hodgkin's disease. |
|
|
|
| home health nurse: a nurse who gives treatment or medicines in the home, teaches patients how to care for themselves, and assesses their condition to see if further medical attention is needed. |
|
|
|
| homogeneous:
(home-uh-jee-ne-us):
cells or tissue that look the same throughout. See also histology. |
|
|
|
| hormone: a chemical substance released into the body by the endocrine glands such as the thyroid, adrenal, or ovaries. Hormones travel through the bloodstream and set in motion various body functions. Testosterone and estrogen are examples of male and female hormones. |
|
|
|
| hormone receptor: a protein located on a cell's surface (or within the cell cytoplasm) that binds to a hormone. Tumors can be tested for hormone receptors to see if they can be treated with hormones or anti-hormones. See also hormone receptor assay. |
|
|
|
| hormone receptor assay: a test to see if a breast tumor is likely to be affected by hormones or if it can be treated with hormones. See also estrogen receptor assay and progesterone receptor assay. |
|
|
|
| hormone replacement therapy: the use of estrogen and progesterone from an outside source after the body has stopped making its own supply because of natural or induced menopause. This type of hormone therapy is often given to relieve symptoms of menopause and has been shown to offer protection against thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) in women after menopause. Recent studies have found that combined hormone replacement therapy (estrogen plus progesterone) slightly increases breast cancer risk, as well as the risk of heart disease and blood clots. See also estrogen replacement therapy. |
|
|
|
| hormone therapy: treatment with hormones, using drugs that interfere with hormone production or hormone action, or the surgical removal of hormone-producing glands. Hormone therapy may kill cancer cells or slow their growth. |
|
|
|
| hospice: a special kind of care for people in the final phase of illness, as well as their families and caregivers. The care usually takes place in the patient's home or in a home-like facility. |
|
|
|
| hot flush: sudden brief feeling of body warmth, along with flushing of the skin and sweating, common during menopause. Also called hot flash. |
|
|
|
| hyperalimentation:
(hy-per-al-ih-men-TAY-shun):
giving liquid nutrition into a vein (intravenously or IV). |
|
|
|
| hyperplasia:
(hy-per-PLAY-zhuh):
too much growth of cells or tissue in a specific area, such as the lining of the prostate. See also benign prostatic hyperplasia. |
|
|
|
| hypertension:
(hy-per-TEN-shun):
high blood pressure. |
|
|
|
| hyperthermia therapy:
(hy-per-THERM-ee-uh):
treatment of disease by raising body temperature. |
|
|
|
| hypertrophy:
(hy-per-truh-fee):
the enlargement of an organ or part due to an increase in the size of its cells. |
|
|
|
| hysterectomy:
(hiss-ter-EK-tuh-me):
an operation to remove the uterus through an incision in the abdomen or through the vagina. Removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) may be done at the same time. |
|
|
|
