A procedure to detect areas of the body where cells are dividing rapidly. It is used to locate cancer cells or areas of inflammation. A very small amount of radioactive gallium is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. The gallium is taken up by rapidly dividing cells in the bones, tissues and organs and is detected by a scanner.

A treatment using gamma rays, a type of high-energy radiation that can be tightly focused on small tumors or other lesions, so very little normal tissue receives radiation. The gamma rays are aimed at the tumor from many different angles at once, and deliver a large dose of radiation exactly to the tumor in one treatment session. This procedure is a type of stereotactic radiosurgery. Gamma Knife therapy is not a knife and is not surgery. Gamma Knife is a registered trademark of Elekta Instruments, Inc.

Also called polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel. A gel used to lessen pain from mouth sores caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, oral surgery, braces or disease. It forms a thin layer over the surface of the mouth and throat to prevent irritation while eating, drinking and talking.

The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA. Most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.

Treatment that alters a gene. In studies of gene therapy for cancer, researchers are trying to improve the body's natural ability to fight the disease, or to make the cancer cells more sensitive to other kinds of therapy.

Also called GAD. A condition marked by excessive worry and feelings of fear, dread and uneasiness that last six months or longer. Other symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include being restless, being tired or irritable, muscle tension, not being able to concentrate or sleep well, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, sweating and dizziness.

Official non-brand names by which medicines are known. Generic names usually refer to the chemical name of the medicine.

Alteration in DNA that may indicate an increased risk of developing a specific disease or disorder.

An inherited increase in the risk of developing a disease. Also called genetic susceptibility.