Words to Know
FDA
Food and Drug Administration. An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The FDA also makes sure that medicines, medical devices and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe.
fentanyl citrate
A medicine used to treat severe cancer pain in that occurs even though the individual is already taking opioids. It is also used during anesthesia for surgery. Fentanyl citrate binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. It is a type of analgesic agent and a type of opioid.
fentanyl sublingual spray
A form of the medicine fentanyl that is sprayed under the tongue and then absorbed into the blood. It is being studied in the treatment of breakthrough pain (pain that occurs even when pain-control medicine is already being used) in cancer individuals. Fentanyl is a type of opioid analgesic.
fexofenadine
Brand name, Allegra. Allegra is an antihistamine used to treat certain allergy symptoms by blocking a chemical released during an allergic response that causes itching, sneezing, runny nose, wheezing and watery eyes. Antihistamines are advised as pretreatment when using paclitaxel, a chemotherapy agent. Antihistamines can prevent hypersensitivity reactions with paclitaxel use, which include decrease in blood pressure and impaired breathing.
fibrocystic breast changes
Also called benign breast disease, fibrocystic breast disease, and mammary dysplasia. A common condition marked by benign (not cancerous) changes in breast tissue. These changes may include irregular lumps or cysts, breast discomfort, sensitive nipples and itching. These symptoms may change throughout the menstrual cycle and usually stop after menopause.
fiducial marker
A medical device or small object placed in or on the body to mark an area for radiation treatment or surgery. For example, implantable soft-tissue markers may be put around a breast tumor before biopsy to clarify the precise area for the surgeon, if a tumor needs to be removed at a later date.
fine-needle aspiration biopsy
Also called FNA biopsy. The removal of tissue or fluid with a thin needle for examination under a microscope. Fine-needle aspirations are sometimes used to test for breast cancer, determining whether a lump in the breast is cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).
fluorouracil
A medicine used to treat symptoms of breast cancer, as well as cancers of the colon, stomach, and pancreas. It is also used in a cream to treat certain skin conditions. Fluorouracil stops cells from making DNA and it may kill cancer cells. It is a type of antimetabolite. Also called 5-fluorouracil and 5-FU.
FNA biopsy
Also called fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The removal of tissue or fluid with a thin needle for examination under a microscope. Fine-needle aspirations are sometimes used to test for breast cancer, determining whether a lump in the breast is cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).
Food and Drug Administration
Also called FDA. An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that medicines, medical devices and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe.
Fosamax
Also called alendronate sodium. Fosamax is a medicine prescribed to prevent bone loss in individuals treated with certain medicines for breast cancer, and is being studied in the treatment of hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood) and bone pain caused by cancer. It is also used to treat certain bone conditions. Fosamax slows the breakdown of bone and prevents the loss of calcium. It is a type of bisphosphonate.