Cancer Dictionary

5-alpha-reductase Inhibitors

A class of drugs used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). They block the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, the major male sex hormone within the cells of the prostate.

Abdomen

The portion of the body between the thorax and the pelvis. The abdominal cavity contains the inferior portion of the esophagus, the stomach, the intestines, the liver, the spleen, the pancreas, and other organs.

Abdominal

Means within the abdomen, the cavity of this part of the body containing the stomach, intestines and bladder.

Abdominoperineal

Pertaining to the abdomen and the perineum, including the pelvic area, female vulva and anus, and male anus and scrotum.

Abdominoscopy

A procedure for examining the contents of the peritoneum in which an electrically illuminated tubular device is passed through a trocar into the abdominal cavity. Also called peritoneoscopy.

Abduction

Movement of a limb away from the body.

Ablation

To remove-the removal of diseased or unwanted tissue from the body by surgery or other means.

Ablative Therapy

Treatment that removes or destroys the function of an organ, as in surgical removal of the organ or the administration of some types of chemotherapy that cause the organ such as the bone marrow to stop functioning.

Abnormality

A variation from a normal structure or function of the body.

Abscess

An abscess is a sign of an infection. It is a collection of pus in part of the body that is usually swollen and inflamed.

Absolute Neutrophil Count

A neutrophil is a type of immune cell (cells that help fight infection) and a type of white blood cell. And absolute neutrophil count measures how many of the white blood cells in the body are neutrophils.

Absorbent Products

Pads and garments, disposable or reusable, worn to absorb leaked urine. Absorbent products include shields, undergarment pads, combination pad-pant systems, diaper-like garments, and bed pads.

Absorptive Hypercalciuria

Causes unabsorbed fatty acids to combine with calcium and this causes too much oxalate to be absorbed by the intestines.

Accelerated Phase

Refers to chronic myelogenous leukemia that is progressing. The number of immature, abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood is higher than in the chronic phase, but not as high as in the blast phase.

Acetylcholine

 A substance that plays an important part in the transmission of nerve impulses in the parasympathetic nervous system which controls smooth muscles including those of the intestine, bladder, urethra and many other organs.

Achlorhydria

An abnormal condition characterized by the absence of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice. Hydrochloric acid helps digest food.

Acid Phosphatase

An enzyme found in the prostate gland. Levels in the blood were used in the past to determine the stage of prostate cancer but are no longer used routinely with the advent of PSA testing.

Acini

The sac-like part of the milk-producing glands in the breast. Several acini form a lobule.

Acoustic

Related to hearing or sound.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

A life-threatening disease caused by HIV that is characterized by a breakdown of the body’s immune defenses.

Actinic Keratosis

A precancerous condition of thick and scaly patches of skin.

Active Immunity

Immunity produced by the body in response to stimulation by a disease-causing organism or a vaccine.

Acupoints

Points or places along the body’s meridians where needles or pressure are applied

Acupressure

Hand or finger pressure applied to an acupuncture point on the body

Acupuncture

Well studied Chinese therapy that uses placement of needles to relieve various symptoms including the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.

Acute

A sudden onset of symptoms or disease.

Acute Bacterial Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate. Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common form of prostatitis caused by bacteria traveling up the urethra and the backward flow of infected urine into the prostatic ducts.

Acute Leukemia

Leukemia that progresses rapidly.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

A quickly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells called lymphoblasts are found in the blood and bone marrow. Also called ALL or acute lymphocytic leukemia

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is an aggressive (fast-growing) type of leukemia, a blood cancer. In ALL, too many immature white blood cells, called lymphoblasts, are present in the blood and bone marrow.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

AML is a malignant disorder involving white cells which results in the excessive accumulation of myeloid blast cells in both the marrow and the bloodstream. AML occurs in all ages and is the more common acute leukemia in adults. AML affects a different type of white cell than those affected by ALL.

Acute Urinary Retention

A complete inability to urinate that requires immediate medical attention.

Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngioma

Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma is the most frequent form of a craniopharyngioma, a benign brain tumor. Craniopharyngioma may be considered malignant, however, because it can damage the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst.

Adduction

Movement of a limb towards the body.

Adenocarcinoma

Any one of a large group of malignant, epithelial cell tumors of the glands. Specific tumors are diagnosed and named by cytologic identification of the tissue affected.

Adenoid Cystic Cancer

A rare form of cancer that usually begins in the salivary glands.

Adenoma

A benign growth starting in the glandular tissue.

Adenovirus

A group of viruses that cause respiratory tract and eye infections. Adenoviruses used in gene therapy are altered to carry a specific tumor-fighting gene.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Adjuvant chemotherapy is additional chemotherapy given after primary treatment.

Adjuvant Therapy

Adjuvant therapy is a treatment that is added to increase the effectiveness of a primary therapy. Adjuvant therapy may consist of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biologic or hormonal therapy alone or in combination added after surgery to increase the chances of curing the cancer or prolonging a remission.

ADL Activities Of Daily Life

Activities of daily life are the tasks everyday life, such as eating, dressing, getting into or out of a bed or chair, taking a bath or shower, and using the toilet.

Adrenal Gland

Either of two secretory organs perched atop the kidneys and surrounded by the protective fat capsule of the kidneys. Their main function is to produce hormones which regulate metabolism and control fluid balance and blood pressure. In addition, they produce small amounts of "male" hormones (androgens) and "female" hormones (estrogens and progesterone).

Adrenaline

A hormone secreted from the adrenal gland that raises blood pressure, produces a rapid heartbeat and acts a neurotransmitter when the body is subjected to stress or danger; also known as epinephrine.

Advanced Cancer

A stage of cancer in which the disease has spread from the primary site to other parts of the body. When the cancer has spread to only the surrounding areas, it is called locally advanced. If it has spread further by traveling through the bloodstream, it is called metastatic.

AFP Alphafeto Protein

Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein normally produced by a fetus. Levels of AFP are usually undetectable in the blood of healthy adult men or women (who are not pregnant). An elevated level of AFP may indicate certain diseases, including liver cancer.

Agammaglobulinemia

An almost total lack of the body’s ability to produce antibodies.

Agaricus Mushrooms

A fungi found in the Brazilian rainforests whose main active constituent has been identified as the polysaccharide-protein complexes called Beta-1,6-D-glucan.

Age-specific PSA

An adjustment of the PSA value that accounts for the natural, gradual increase in PSA that occurs with age as the prostate enlarges.

Aggressive

A type of cancer that generally grows quickly.

Agonists

A drug or other substance having a specific cellular affinity that produces a predictable response.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

Alanine aminotransferase is an enzyme found in the liver and other tissues that is released into the bloodstream when the liver or heart is damaged or cancer is present. ALT is also called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).

Albumin

Albumin is a type of protein found in blood, egg white, milk, and other substances.

Alexander Technique

A type of movement therapy intended to reduce muscular tension. This technique is useful as a complementary therapy in treating stress, muscular fatigue and neck and back pain.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme made in the liver, bone, and the placenta and normally present in high concentrations in growing bone and in bile. Alkaline phosphatase enzyme is often elevated in the leukemic cells in chronic myelogenous leukemia. Abnormally high levels may also indicate disease in bone or liver, bile duct obstruction, or certain malignancies.

Alkylating Agents

Alkalytying agents are drugs used in the treatment of cancer. They work by interfering with the cell

Allergen

Any substance that causes an allergy.

Allergy

An inappropriate and harmful response of the immune system to normally harmless substances.

Allogeneic BMT

Any bone marrow transplant between two individuals, whether they are related or unrelated.

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant

An allogeneic bone marrow transplant is a procedure in which a person receives blood-forming stem cells (cells from which all blood cells develop) from a genetically similar but not identical donor. This may also be called an allogeneic stem cell transplant.

Allogenic Transplant

An allogeneic bone marrow transplant is a procedure in which a person receives blood-forming stem cells (cells from which all blood cells develop) from a genetically similar but not identical donor. This may also be called an allogeneic stem cell transplant.

Allopathic Medicine

Mainstream or modern medicine; based on principles proven through scientific research. Contrast with "alternative medicine."

Aloe

plant, a member of the lily family, is a common household plant originally from Africa. The most common and widely known species of aloe plant is aloe vera.

Alopecia

Hair loss. This often occurs as a result of chemotherapy or less commonly, when radiation therapy is given to the head.

Alpha-1-adrenergic Blockers

A class of drugs used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that work by relaxing smooth muscle tissue within the prostate. Also called alpha-blockers.

Alpha-adrenergic Blockers

A class of drugs also known as alpha- blockers which are used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions like an enlarged prostate or stress urinary incontinence.

Alpha-blockers

A class of drugs also known as alpha-adrenergic blockers which are used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions like an enlarged prostate or stress urinary incontinence.

Alpha-Fetoprotein

Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein normally produced by a fetus. Levels of AFP are usually undetectable in the blood of healthy adult men or women (who are not pregnant). An elevated level of AFP may indicate certain diseases, including liver cancer.

Alternative Medical Systems

are medical systems involving complete systems of theory and practice that have evolved independent of and often prior to the conventional biomedical approach. Homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, and Ayurveda are examples of alternative medical systems.

Alternative Therapy

Treatments or techniques that are used instead of standard medical treatment to fight cancer. Also called unproven, unconventional, or unorthodox treatments.

Amyloidosis

A group of diseases in which protein is deposited in specific organs (localized amyloidosis) or throughout the body (systemic amyloidosis). It may be either primary (with no known cause) or secondary (caused by another disease, including some types of cancer). Generally, primary amyloidosis affects the nerves, skin, tongue, joints, heart, and liver. Secondary amyloidosis often affects the spleen, kidneys, liver, and adrenal glands.

Analgesic

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

Anaphylactic Shock

A life-threatening allergic reaction characterized by a swelling of body tissues including the throat, difficulty in breathing, and a sudden fall in blood pressure.

Anaplasia

A change in the structure and orientation of cells, characterized by a loss of differentiation and reversion to a more primitive form. Anaplasia is characteristic of malignancy.

Anaplastic

Pertaining to anaplasia.

Anaplastic Astrocytoma

An anaplastic astrocytoma is a malignant tumor that begins in the brain or spinal cord in small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes. Anaplastic refers to cancer cells that divide rapidly and have little or no resemblance to normal cells.

Anaplastic Choroid Plexus Papilloma

An anaplastic choroid plexus papilloma, also referred to as a choroid plexus tumor, is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the ventricles of the brain. It usually occurs in children younger than two years. Anaplastic refers to cancer cells that divide rapidly and have little or no resemblance to normal cells.

Anaplastic Ependymoma

An anaplastic ependymoma, also called an ependymal tumor, is a type of brain tumor that arises from the ependyma, a tissue of the central nervous system. Ependymomas may also form in the choroid plexus (ventricles of the brain). Anaplastic refers to cancer cells that divide rapidly and have little or no resemblance to normal cells.

Anaplastic Oligoastrocytoma

An anaplastic oligoastrocytoma is a type of mixed glioma (cancer of the brain) that forms from both two types of glial cells, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Anaplastic refers to cancer cells that divide rapidly and have little or no resemblance to normal cells.

Anastomosis

A surgical joining of two healthy bowel segments, ducts, or blood vessels to allow flow from one to the other.

Anatomy

The physical structure of an internal structure of an organism or any of its parts.

Androgen

Any steroid hormone that increases male characteristics.

Anemia

A decrease in the red blood cells and, therefore, the hemoglobin concentration of the blood. This results in a decreased ability of the blood to carry oxygen. If severe, anemia can cause a pale complexion, weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath on exertion.

Anesthesia

The loss of feeling or sensation as a result of drugs or gases. General anesthesia causes loss of consciousness ("puts you to sleep"). Local or regional anesthesia causes loss of feeling only to a specified area.

Anesthesiologist

A doctor who uses drugs or gases (anesthetics) to put you to sleep or to make you comfortable during surgery.

Anesthetic

A substance that causes lack of feeling or awareness.

Anesthetized

Administered an anesthetic.

Aneuploid

Cells that contain an abnormal amount of DNA.

Aneurysm

An abnormal widening of a portion of a blood vessel.

Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is the process of developing new blood vessels. Tumor angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels that tumors require for growth.

Angiogram

An x-ray of blood vessels. A dye is injected into an artery to outline the blood vessels on the x-ray machine.

Angiography

A procedure to x-ray blood vessels. The blood vessels can be seen because of an injection of a dye that shows up in the x-ray pictures.

Angiomyolipoma

A benign tumor consisting of blood vessels, fatty tissue and muscle elements, usually occurring in the kidney.

Anterior

At or near the front.

Anti-Angiogenesis

Anti-angiogenesis occurs when new blood formation (angiogenesis) is stopped. Drugs that are used to stop angiogenesis are called anti-angiogenesis drugs.

Anti-CEA Antibody

An antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a protein present on certain types of cancer cells.

Antiandrogen

A drug that blocks the action of the male sex hormones.

Antiangiogenesis

The inhibition of blood vessel formation by a drug so that cancer growth is limited by lack of blood supply.

Antibiotic

An antimicrobial agent, derived from cultures of a microorganism or produced semisynthetically, used to treat infections. Some cancer treatments may suppress a person’s immune system, so antibiotics may be used to prevent or treat infection.

Antibodies

Proteins that are made by lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) in response to foreign substances called antigens.

Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC)

An immune response in which antibody, by coating target cells, makes them vulnerable to attack by immune cells.

Anticholinergic

 Blocking impulses from the part of the nervous system that controls heartbeat, blood pressure and other responses to stress. A drug that interferes with the effects of acetylcholine. These drugs assist with bladder storage by increasing bladder contractions and are used to treat urge incontinence.

Anticipatory Nausea And Vomiting

A conditioned response where cues that remind the patient of chemotherapy set off the identical physical response used to reduce or prevent nausea and vomiting.

Anticoagulants

Drugs that help prevent blood clots from forming. Also called blood thinners.

Anticonvulsants

Drugs that prevent or relieve convulsions or seizures.

Antidepressants

Medications used to treat depression and other related conditions.

Antiemetic

A drug that prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting (emesis), which are common side effects of chemotherapy.

Antiestrogen

A substance (for example, the drug tamoxifen) that blocks the effects of estrogen on tumors. Antiestrogens are used to treat some cancers that depend on estrogen for growth.

Antifungal Agent

A drug used to treat fungal infections.

Antigen

Any substance that, when introduced into the body, is recognized by the immune system as foreign.

Antigen-presenting Cells

B cells, cells that "present" antigen in a form that T cells can recognize.

Antihistamine

 Drug that blocks cell receptors for histamine, either to prevent allergic effects like sneezing and itching or to reduce the rate of certain secretions in the stomach.

Antimetabolites

Antimetabolites are substances that interfere with the body’s chemical processes, such as creating proteins, DNA, and other chemicals needed for cell growth and reproduction. In treating cancer, antimetabolite drugs disrupt DNA reproduction, which in turn prevents cell division and growth on tumors.

Antimicrobial

Pertaining to a substance that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth or replication.

Antineoplastic

Pertaining to a substance, procedure, or measure that prevents the proliferation of malignant cells.

Antineoplastic Agent

A drug that prevents, kills, or blocks growth and spread of cancer.

Antineoplastons

are an alternative form of cancer treatment that involves using a group of synthetic chemicals called antineoplastons to protect the body from disease. Antineoplastons are made up mostly of peptides and amino acids originally taken from human blood and urine.

Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)

A group of antibodies that react against normal components in the cell’s nucleus.

Antioncogene

A tumor-suppressing gene. It may act by controlling celllular growth. When an antioncogene is inactivated, tumor cellular proliferation begins and tumor activity accelerates.

Antioxidant

A natural or synthetic substance, such as vitamin E, that prevents or delays the oxidation process in cells or tissue.

Antiserum

A serum that contains antibodies.

Antithymocyte Globulin

A protein preparation used to treat and prevent graft-versus-host disease.

Antitoxins

Antibodies that inactivate toxins produced by certain bacteria.

Antivirals

Drugs used to treat infections caused by viruses.

Anus

The end opening of the digestive system, where solid waste is discharged.

Anxiety

 A feeling of apprehension, often characterized by feelings of stress. A debilitating condition of fear, which interferes with normal life functions.

Aphagia

A condition characterized by the loss of the ability to swallow as a result of organic or psychologic causes.

Apheresis

The process of removing components of a patient’s or donor’s blood and returning the unneeded parts. This process makes it possible to remove desired elements from large volumes of blood. Platelets, red cells, white cells, stem cells, or plasma can be removed separately. Apheresis can also be used to remove undesirable elements from the blood.

Apical

Used to describe the top of something.

Aplastic Anemia

Bone marrow failure with markedly decreased production of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets leading to increased risk of infection and bleeding.

Apoptosis

A series of events that occurs within a cell that leads to its death.

Appendix

Lymphoid organ in the intestine.

Areola

The dark area of skin that surrounds the nipple of the breast.

Aromatherapy

The therapeutic use of odors distilled from plant oils; said to be useful in treating headaches, anxiety, and tension.

Arrhythmia

An irregular heartbeat.

Art Therapy

A form of treatment used to help people with physical and emotional problems by using creative activities to express emotions. It provides a way for people to come to terms with emotional conflicts, increase self-awareness, and express unspoken and often unconscious concerns abouth their illness.

Arterial

 Relating to, affecting or used in arteries.

Arterial Embolization

Blocking an artery so that the blood cannot flow to the tumor.

Arterial Perfusion

Treatment in which blood is drawn from a patient, pumped through a machine that adds anticancer drugs and returned to the major artery supplying the area being treated.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to various parts of the body.

Arteriography

X-rays of blood vessels, which are taken after an injection of dye.

Artery

Blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to various parts of the body.

Arthralgia

Joint pain.

Arthrography

Method of radiographically visualizing the inside of a joint.

Artificial Insemination

The clinical insertion of sperm into the woman’s uterus.

Ascites

Abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen.

ASCO

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

Aspartate aminotransferase, also called aspartate transaminase or serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), is an enzyme that is normally present in liver and heart cells. A high level of AST in the blood may be a sign of liver or heart damage, cancer, or other diseases.

Aspergillosis

An infectious fungal disease that occurs most often in the skin, ears, nasal sinuses, and lungs.

Aspirate

To withdraw fluid or air from a cavity. The process is usually aided by use of a syringe or a suction device.

Aspiration Biopsy

The removal of living tissue, for microscopic examination, by suction through a fine needle attached to a syringe.

Aspirin

Aspirin is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID), a drug used to reduce pain, fever, inflammation, and blood clotting. Aspirin is also being studied in cancer prevention.

ASTRO

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is a professional organization of radiation oncologists, radiation oncology nurses, medical physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists, and biologists (healthcare providers who specialize in the planning and delivery of radiation therapy). With several meeting throughout each year, ASTRO provides opportunities for educational and professional development.

Astrocytomas

A type of tumor that begins in the brain or spinal cord in small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes. Cells from higher-grade, more abnormal-looking tumors usually grow faster and are more malignant than cells from lower-grade tumors.

Asymptomatic

To be without noticeable symptoms of disease. Many cancers may grow without producing symptoms, especially in the early stages. Screening tests, such as mammography, try to discover developing cancers at the asymptomatic stage, when the chances for cure are usually the highest.

Ataxic Gait

Awkward, uncoordinated walking.

Atrophy

To diminish; when an organ diminishes in size.

Attenuated

Pertaining to the dilution of a solution or the reduction in virulence or toxicity of a microorganism or a drug by weakening it.

Atypical

Not usual; abnormal. This often refers to the appearance of precancerous or cancerous cells.

Atypical Hyperplasia

A benign condition in which tissue has certain abnormal features. This condition may predispose people to certain types of cancer.

Atypical Nevi

Moles whose appearance is different than normal moles. They may be larger and have irregular borders. Their color may not be uniform, and they may be flat or raised above the skin surface. Any mole that appears irregular may be suspect for skin cancer.

Aura

An atmosphere said to surround a person. In alternative medicine, it is believed that everyone has a surrounding aura (energy field), visible to some people, that indicates the individual’s state of health.

Austrailian Aboriginal Indigenous Medical System (IMS)

An alternative medical system based on the religion, spirituality, herbal medicine, and rituals of Australian Aboriginal culture used to treat medical and emotional problems.

Autoantibody

An antibody that reacts against a person’s own tissue.

Autograft

Surgical transplantation of any tissue from one part of the body to another location in the same individual.

Autoimmune

A condition in which the body produces antibodies to its own tissue.

Autoimmune Disease

A disease that results when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmunity

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

Autologous

Derived from the same individual.

Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant

An autologous bone marrow transplant is when the transplanted cells are collected from the patient and returned back to the patient.

Autologous Lymphocytes

A person’s own white blood cells.

Autologous Marrow (Stem Cell) Infusion

This technique, often referred to as transplantation, involves the harvesting of stem cells from a patient’s marrow or blood. The stem cells are usually frozen for later use. The patient is then given intensive therapy, and the stem cells are reinfused via an indwelling catheter. The blood or marrow may be obtained from a patient with a disease of the marrow when in remission, (for example, acute myelogenous leukemia), or when the marrow is not overtly abnormal (for example, lymphoma requiring intensive therapy). Technically, this procedure, which formerly used marrow stem cells, is not transplantation, which implies taking tissue from one individual (donor) and giving it to another (recipient). The purpose of the procedure is to restore blood cell production from the preserved and infused stem cells after intensive therapy has severally damaged the patient’s remaining marrow. This procedure may be supplemented by autologous blood and can be recovered there by apheresis.

Autologous Transplant

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

Autosome

Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome and that appears as a homologous pair in the somatic cell. Humans have twenty two pairs of autosomes, which are involved in transmitting all genetic traits and conditions other than those that are sex-linked.

Avascular

Not receiving a sufficient supply of blood. The reduced flow may be the result of blockage by a blood clot or other deliberate measures.

Axilla

A pyramid-shaped space forming the underside of the shoulder between the upper arm and the side of the chest. Also called armpit.

Axillary Dissection

A surgical procedure in which the lymph nodes in the armpit (axillary nodes) are removed and examined to find out if cancer has spread to those nodes and to remove any cancerous lymph nodes.

Axillary Nodes

The lymph nodes found in the axilla, or armpit region of the body.

Ayurveda

is a CAM alternative medical system that has been practiced primarily in the Indian subcontinent for 5,000 years. Ayurveda includes diet and herbal remedies and emphasizes the use of body, mind, and spirit in disease prevention and treatment.

Ayurvedic Medicine

An ancient traditional medicine system based on Hindu philosophy and ancient Indian civilization. The human body is seen as a microcosm of the universe, consisting of the five elements of fire, water, earth, air, and ether. Each element corresponds to one of the five senses: sight, taste, smell, touch, and hearing. It embraces the concept of an energy force in the body similar to the Chinese concept of qi and emphasizes the balance of mind, body, and spirit to maintain health.

Azoospermia

The absence of sperm in the ejaculate fluid.

Azotemia

Retention of excessive amounts of nitrogenous compounds in the blood. This toxic condition is caused by failure of the kidneys to remove urea from the blood and is characteristic of uremia.