Go back to the index of this complete glossary to find the definition of all medical terms for cancers, treatments and health.
Cancer Glossary - H
- Hemangioma : A birthmark consisting of overgrowth of blood vessels.
- Hematoma : Collection of blood in the tissues.
- Hematocrit : The percentage of red blood cells.
- Hemoglobin : Contained in the red blood cells; responsible for carrying oxygen
- Hemorrhage : Loss of blood through heavy, uncontrolled bleeding
- Heparin : A drug which decreases the clotting tendency of blood.
- Hodgkin’s Disease : The most common form of lymphoma. It originates in the
lymph nodes or the lymph tissues.
- Hormone : Chemical substance produced by glands in the body which enters the
bloodstream and causes effects in other tissues.
- Hormone therapy : Treatment of cancer by changing hormone levels.
- Hydrocephalus : The abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid
in the ventricles of the brain.
- Hyperfractionated radiation : Division of the total does of radiation into
smaller doses that are given more than once a day.
- Hyperplasia : Excessive growth of cells.
- Hyperthermia : Treatment that involves heating a tumor.
- Hypothalamus : Area at the base of the brain that controls various functions
including hormone production in the pituitary.
- Hysterectomy : An operation that removes the uterus and cervix. Does not necessary mean the removal of ovaries.