Liver Cancer Glossary: V

metastatic liver cancer facts

Go back to the index of this complete glossary to find the definition of all medical terms for cancers, treatments and health.

 

Cancer Glossary - V

 

 

  • Vaccinia CEA vaccine  : A cancer vaccine containing the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene. 
     
  • Vagina : The muscular canal extending from the cervix to the outside of the body. 
     
  • Vaginal cancer :  Cancer that forms in the tissues of the vagina (birth canal). The vagina leads from the cervix (the opening of uterus) to the outside of the body. The most common type of vaginal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in the thin, flat cells lining the vagina. Another type of vaginal cancer is adenocarcinoma, cancer that begins in glandular cells in the lining of the vagina.
     
  • Vaginectomy :  Surgery to remove part or all of the vagina (the birth canal).
     
  • Valeriana officinalis   Valerian : A plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions. It is being studied as a way to improve sleep in cancer patients undergoing treatment. Also called garden valerian, Indian valerian, Pacific valerian, Mexican valerian, garden heliotrope, valerian and Valerianae radix. I use it as a tea myself when I want to have an early rest. The taste is "not that delicious" though.
     
  • Valrubicin :  A drug that is used to treat bladder cancer that does not respond to BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin). It is an anthracycline and belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics. Also called AD 32.
     
  • Vectibix  : A human monoclonal antibody that is being used to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used in patients whose disease has not gotten better during or after treatment with other anticancer drugs. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Monoclonal antibodies are made in the laboratory and can locate and bind to cancer cells. Vectibix binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and may block tumor cell growth. Also called panitumumab and ABX-EGF.
  • Vein : A blood vessel which carries blood from the tissues toward the heart and lungs. 
     
  • Venacavography : Diagnostic method using x-rays to obtain a picture of the major vein that collects blood coming out of the kidney. 
     
  • Ventricles : Four connected cavities in the brain. 
     
  • Viruses : Tiny parasites that cause infectious disease. They can only divide and multiply in living cells.