Idiopathic
Describes a disease or condition having an unknown cause.
Immune System
The system of organs, tissues, and cells that helps the body fight infections and disease. It includes white blood cells, lymph vessels, and bone marrow.
Immune Suppression
A condition in which the body’s immune system is weakened. It may be caused by disease, including cancer, but it may also be the result of treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. Immunosuppression may be induced using drugs to prepare for organ or bone marrow transplants.
Immunotherapy
A cancer treatment that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer by enabling the immune system to find and destroy cancer cells.
Indolent
Describes a cancer that grows slowly.
Integrative Medicine
Medical care that combines standard drug and surgical treatments with complementary therapies, such as acupuncture or yoga, to address the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients.
Intravenous Chemotherapy
Treatment that delivers anticancer drugs through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. Because the drugs travel through the bloodstream, they can quickly reach cancer cells anywhere in the body. Most chemotherapy is given using this method.
Investigational Treatment
A drug or other therapy that has been studied in the laboratory and approved by the FDA for testing in people. Investigational drugs are used in clinical trials to test their safety and effectiveness.
Ischemia
A condition in which the blood flow to a part of the body is reduced or restricted. The resulting lack of oxygen may cause tissue damage. The condition can be life-threatening but can be reversed with treatment.
