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NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

16 results found for: Q

Q10
A nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Q10 helps mitochondria (small structures in the cell) make energy. It is an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage caused by free radicals (highly reactive chemicals). Q10 is fat-soluble (can dissolve in fats and oils) and is found in fatty fish, beef, soybeans, peanuts, and spinach. It is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer and heart disease and in the relief of side effects caused by some cancer treatments. Also called coenzyme Q10, CoQ10, ubiquinone, and vitamin Q10.
QA
A process that looks at activities or products on a regular basis to make sure they are being done at the required level of excellence. In clinical trials, QA makes sure that all parts of the trial follow the law and the Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Also called quality assurance.
qi
(chee)
In traditional Chinese medicine, vital energy or life force that keeps a person’s spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health in balance.
qigong
(chee-gong)
A form of traditional Chinese mind/body exercise and meditation that uses slow and precise body movements with controlled breathing and mental focusing to improve balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and overall health.
Qinlock
(KIN-lok)
A drug used to treat adults with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor. It is used in patients whose cancer was already treated with at least three other kinase inhibitors, including imatinib mesylate. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Qinlock blocks certain proteins, which may help keep cancer cells from growing. It is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called ripretinib.
QNBC
A type of breast cancer in which the tumor cells do not have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, androgen receptors, or large amounts of HER2/neu protein on their surface. Knowing whether breast cancer is quadruple negative is important in planning treatment. Also called quadruple-negative breast cancer.
QS21
A substance from plants that is being studied together with vaccine therapy for its ability to improve the way the immune system responds to disease. It belongs to the family of drugs called saponin adjuvants.
Quadramet
(KWAH-druh-met)
A drug used to treat bone pain caused by bone cancer and other cancers that have spread to the bone. It contains a radioactive substance called samarium Sm 153. Quadramet collects in bone and gives off radiation that may kill cancer cells. Also called samarium Sm 153-lexidronam pentasodium.
quadrantectomy
(KWAD-ran-TEK-toh-mee)
Surgery to remove cancer or other abnormal tissue from the breast and some normal tissue around it, but not the breast itself. Some lymph nodes under the arm may be removed for biopsy. Part of the chest wall lining may also be removed if the cancer is near it. Also called breast-conserving surgery, breast-sparing surgery, lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, and segmental mastectomy.
quadrivalent vaccine
(KWAH-drih-VAY-lent vak-SEEN)
A vaccine that works by stimulating an immune response against four different antigens, such as four different viruses or other microorganisms. For example, Gardasil is a quadrivalent vaccine that helps protect the body against infection with four different types of human papillomaviruses (HPV).
quadruple-negative breast cancer
(kwah-DROO-pul NEH-guh-tiv brest KAN-ser)
A type of breast cancer in which the tumor cells do not have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, androgen receptors, or large amounts of HER2/neu protein on their surface. Knowing whether breast cancer is quadruple negative is important in planning treatment. Also called QNBC.
quality assurance
(KWAH-lih-tee uh-SHOOR-ents)
A process that looks at activities or products on a regular basis to make sure they are being done at the required level of excellence. In clinical trials, quality assurance makes sure that all parts of the trial follow the law and the Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Also called QA.
quality of life
(KWAH-lih-tee ... life)
The overall enjoyment of life. Many clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life. These studies measure aspects of an individual’s sense of well-being and ability to carry out activities of daily living.
quinone oxidoreductase 1
(KWIH-none OK-sih-doh-ree-DUK-tays ...)
An enzyme inside cells that makes certain molecules less toxic. Also called quinone reductase.
quinone reductase
(KWIH-none ree-DUK-tays)
An enzyme inside cells that makes certain molecules less toxic. Also called quinone oxidoreductase 1.
quizartinib dihydrochloride
(kwih-ZAR-tih-nib dy-HY-droh-KLOR-ide)
A drug used with certain chemotherapy drugs and then alone as maintenance therapy to treat adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia that has a certain mutation in the FLT3 gene. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Quizartinib dihydrochloride blocks FLT3 and other proteins, which may help keep cancer cells from growing and may kill them. It is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called Vanflyta.