Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Anestésico
Anesthetic (a-nes-THEH-tik)
A drug or other substance that causes a loss of feeling or awareness. Local anesthetics cause a loss of feeling in one small area of the body. Regional anesthetics cause a loss of feeling in a part of the body, such as an arm or leg. General anesthetics cause a loss of feeling and a complete loss of awareness that feels like a very deep sleep.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.