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Dictionary of Cancer Terms

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Za

Zactima (zak-TEE-muh) A substance being studied in the treatment of lung cancer and other types of cancer. It may block the growth and spread of tumor cells and prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. Zactima is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a type of antiangiogenesis agent. Also called vandetanib.
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zafirlukast (zuh-FIR-loo-kast) A drug used to prevent and treat symptoms of asthma. It blocks substances that cause inflammation in the lungs. It is a type of antiasthmatic agent and a leukotriene receptor antagonist. Also called Accolate.
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zanamivir (zuh-NA-mih-veer) A drug used to prevent and to treat influenza virus infections. It blocks the release of the virus from infected cells. It is a type of antiviral agent. Also called Relenza.
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Zarnestra (zar-NESS-truh) A substance that is being studied in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other types of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called farnesyltransferase inhibitors. Also called R115777 and tipifarnib.
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Zd

ZD0473 A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called platinum analogs.
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ZD1839 A drug that is used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It is a type of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called gefitinib and Iressa.
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ZD4054 A substance that is being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called endothelin-receptor antagonists.
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ZD6126 A substance that has been studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. ZD6126 destroys blood vessels in tumors and may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of vascular targeting agent and a type of antiangiogenesis agent.
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ZD6474 A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called vascular endothelial growth factor-2 (VEGF-2) receptor antagonists.
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Ze

Zevalin (ZEV-uh-lin) A monoclonal antibody that is used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is being studied in the treatment and detection of other types of B-cell tumors. Monoclonal antibodies are made in the laboratory and can locate and bind to substances in the body, including cancer cells. Ibritumomab binds to the protein called CD20, which is found on B cells. It is linked to the compound tiuxetan. This allows certain radioisotopes to be attached before it is given to a patient. It is a type of monoclonal antibody-chelator conjugate. Also called ibritumomab tiuxetan.
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Zh

Zheng (jung) In traditional Chinese medicine, a way of diagnosing disease based on observing a set of signs and symptoms. A practitioner checks Zheng by looking at the patient; asking questions; feeling the pulse, organs, and tissues; listening to body sounds; and smelling the body.
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Zi

ziconotide (zih-KAH-noh-tide) A drug used in the treatment of chronic pain. Also called Prialt and SNX 111.
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zidovudine A drug that inhibits the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. It is a type of systemic antiviral. Also called AZT.
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zileuton A substance that is used to prevent asthma symptoms and that is being studied in the prevention of lung cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called leukotriene blockers.
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zinc oxide A compound that may enhance immune function, especially when administered by inhalation.
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zinc sulfate A substance required for cell growth and tissue repair. It is being studied as a way to prevent or decrease mucositis caused by radiation therapy.
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Zinecard (ZIN-eh-card) A drug used to reduce heart damage in women given doxorubicin for breast cancer that has spread. It is also being studied in the treatment of cancer. Zinecard contains the active ingredient dexrazoxane. It is a type of cardioprotective agent, a type of chemoprotective agent, and a type of topoisomerase inhibitor.
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Zo

Zofran (ZOH-fran) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment. It is a type of serotonin receptor antagonist and a type of antiemetic. Also called ondansetron hydrochloride.
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zoledronate (zoh-LEH-droh-nayt) A drug used to treat patients with hypercalcemia (high blood levels of calcium) caused by cancer. It is also used together with other drugs to treat multiple myeloma and to prevent bone fractures and reduce bone pain in people who have cancer that has spread to the bone. It is a type of bisphosphonate. Also called zoledronic acid and Zometa.
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zoledronic acid (ZOH-leh-DRON-ik A-sid) A drug used to treat patients with hypercalcemia (high blood levels of calcium) caused by cancer. It is also used together with other drugs to treat multiple myeloma and to prevent bone fractures and reduce bone pain in people who have cancer that has spread to the bone. It is a type of bisphosphonate. Also called zoledronate and Zometa.
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Zolinza A drug that is used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that does not get better, gets worse, or comes back during or after treatment with other drugs. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Zolinza is a type of histone deacetylase inhibitor. Also called SAHA, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, and vorinostat.
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Zollinger-Ellison syndrome A disorder in which tumors of the pancreatic islet cells produce large amounts of gastrin (a hormone), leading to excess acid in the stomach and, possibly, a peptic ulcer (ulcer of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine).
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Zoloft A drug used to treat depression. It is a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Also called sertraline.
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zolpidem (zole-PIH-dem) A drug used to treat insomnia (inability to sleep), and anxiety. It is a type of imidazopyridine (sedative hypnotic). Also called Ambien.
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Zometa (ZOH-met-uh) A drug used to treat patients with hypercalcemia (high blood levels of calcium) caused by cancer. It is also used together with other drugs to treat multiple myeloma and to prevent bone fractures and reduce bone pain in people who have cancer that has spread to the bone. It is a type of bisphosphonate. Also called zoledronate and zoledronic acid.
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zosuquidar trihydrochloride (ZOH-soo-KWIH-dar try-HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Zosuquidar trihydrochloride may help kill cancer cells that are resistant to anticancer drugs. Also called LY335979.
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Zy

Zyprexa (zy-PREK-suh) A drug used to treat certain mental disorders. It is also being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by some cancer treatments. It is a type of antipsychotic and a type of monoamine antagonist. Also called olanzapine and Zyprexa Zydis.
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Zyprexa Zydis (zy-PREK-suh ZY-dis) A drug used to treat certain mental disorders. It is also being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by some cancer treatments. It is a type of antipsychotic and a type of monoamine antagonist. Also called olanzapine and Zyprexa.
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Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.