| occupational therapist: a specially trained therapist who works with people who have disabilities to help them relearn how to perform daily activities. |
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| off label: refers to the use of a drug to treat a condition other than that for which it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. |
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| omentum: a large fatty sheet in the abdomen that drapes like an apron over the stomach, intestines, and other organs. |
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| oncogenes:
(on-kuh-jeenz):
genes that promote cell growth and multiplication. These genes are normally present in all cells. But oncogenes may undergo changes that activate them, causing cells to grow too quickly and form tumors. Compare to tumor suppressor genes. |
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| oncologist:
(on-call-uh-jist):
a doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. |
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| oncology:
(on-call-o-jee):
the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. |
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| oncology clinical nurse specialist: a registered nurse with a master's degree in oncology nursing who specializes in the care of cancer patients. Oncology nurse specialists may prepare and give treatments, monitor patients, prescribe and provide supportive care, and teach and counsel patients and their families. |
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| oncology social worker: a person with a master's degree in social work who is an expert in coordinating and providing non-medical care to patients. The oncology social worker counsels and assists people with cancer and their families, especially in dealing with the non-medical issues that can result from cancer, such as financial problems, housing (when treatments must be taken at a facility away from home), and child care. |
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| oophorectomy:
(oof-uh-rek-tuh-me):
surgery to remove the ovaries. |
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| ophthalmologist:
(off-thuhl-mal-uh-jist):
a medical doctor who specializes in diseases of the eye. |
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| oral: refers to the mouth. For example, medicines that are taken orally are taken by mouth. Oral cancer is cancer of the mouth. |
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| oral and maxillofacial surgeon: a surgeon who specializes in surgery of the mouth, jaw, and face. |
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| orchiectomy:
(or-key-ek-tuh-me):
surgery to remove the testicles; also called castration. See also hormone therapy. |
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| orthopedic surgeon:
(or-thuh-pee-dik):
a surgeon who specializes in diseases and injuries of the bones. |
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| osteoporosis:
(os-tee-o-puh-ROW-sis):
thinning of bone tissue, causing less bone mass and weaker bones. Osteoporosis can cause pain, deformity (especially of the spine), and broken bones. This condition is common among postmenopausal women. |
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| ostomy:
(os-tuh-me):
a general term meaning an opening, especially one made by surgery. See also colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, and tracheostomy. |
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| otolaryngologist:
(o-toe-lair-in-gol-uh-jist):
a doctor who specializes in diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Also called a head and neck surgeon. |
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| ovary:
(o-vuh-ree):
reproductive organ in the female pelvis. Normally a woman has two ovaries. They contain the eggs (ova) that, when joined with sperm, result in pregnancy. Ovaries are also the primary source of estrogen. See also estrogen. |
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