Cancer Dictionary

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vaccination: Treatment with a vaccine.

vaccine: A substance or group of substances meant to cause the immune system to respond to a tumor or to microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses.

vaccine adjuvant: A substance added to a vaccine to improve the immune response so that less vaccine is needed.

vaccinia CEA vaccine: A cancer vaccine containing the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene.

vagina (vah-JYE-na): The muscular canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body. Also called the birth canal.

vancomycin: An antibiotic drug used to fight resistant bacterial infections.

vasectomy (vas-EK-toe-mee): An operation to cut or tie off the two tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles.

venlafaxine: An antidepressant drug that is being evaluated for the treatment of hot flashes in women who have breast cancer.

ventricles (VEN-trih-kulz): Fluid-filled cavities in the heart or brain.

video-assisted surgery: Surgery that is aided by the use of a video camera that projects and enlarges the image on a television screen. Also called video-assisted resection.

vinblastine: An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of plant drugs called vinca alkaloids. It is a mitotic inhibitor.

vinca alkaloids: Anticancer drugs that inhibit cancer cell growth by stopping cell division. They are also called antimitotic or antimicrotubule agents, or mitotic inhibitors.

vincristine: An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of plant drugs called vinca alkaloids.

vindesine: An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of plant drugs called vinca alkaloids.

vinorelbine: An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of plant drugs called vinca alkaloids.

vinyl chloride (VYE-nil KLO-ride): A substance used in manufacturing plastics. Exposure to vinyl chloride may increase the risk of liver, brain and lung cancers; lymphoma; and leukemia.

viral vector: A type of virus used in cancer therapy. The virus is changed in the laboratory and cannot cause disease. Viral vectors produce tumor antigens (proteins found on a tumor cell) and can stimulate an antitumor immune response in the body. Viral vectors may also be used to carry genes that can change cancer cells back to normal cells.

virtual colonoscopy: A method under study to examine the colon by taking a series of x-rays (called a CT scan) and then using a high-powered computer to reconstruct 2-D and 3-D pictures of the interior surfaces of the colon from these x-rays. The pictures can be saved, manipulated to better viewing angles and reviewed after the procedure, even years later. Also called computed tomography colography.

virus (VYE-rus): Submicroscopic organism that causes infectious disease. In cancer therapy, some viruses may be made into vaccines that help the body build an immune response to and kill, tumor cells.

visual pathway glioma: A rare, slow-growing tumor of the eye.

vital: Necessary to maintain life. Breathing is a vital function.

vitamin A: A substance used in cancer prevention; it belongs to the family of drugs called retinoids.

vitamin E: A substance used in cancer prevention; it belongs to the family of drugs called tocopherols.

vitamin K: A substance that promotes the clotting of blood.

VNP20009: A genetically modified Salmonella bacterium that is injected into the tumor. It is being studied for its ability to shrink solid tumors.

vocal cords: Two small bands of muscle within the larynx that vibrate to produce the voice.

von Hippel-Lindau syndrome: A rare inherited disorder in which blood vessels grow abnormally in the eyes, brain, spinal cord, adrenal glands, or other parts of the body. People with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome have a higher risk of developing some types of cancer.

voriconazole: A drug that treats infections caused by fungi.

vorozole: A hormone therapy drug used to decrease the production of estrogen.

vulva: The external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips and the opening to the vagina.

VX 853: A drug being studied to make cancer cells less resistant to the effects of chemotherapy.

VX-710: A drug being studied to make cancer cells less resistant to the effects of chemotherapy.

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This cancer dictionary is provided by the National Cancer Institute.