Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Receptor del factor de crecimiento similar a la insulina
Insulin-like growth factor receptor (IN-suh-lin-like grohth FAK-ter reh-SEP-ter)
A protein found on the surface of some types of cells that binds to insulin-like growth factor (IGF). This causes the cells to grow and divide. Insulin-like growth factor receptor is found at high levels on the surface of several types of cancer cells, which causes these cells to grow rapidly in the presence of IGF. Also called IGFR.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.