Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or
abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a
narcotic.
abnormal (ab-NOR-mul)
Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancer, premalignant (likely to become cancer), or benign (not cancer).
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)condition (kun-DIH-shun)
In medicine, a health problem with certain characteristics or symptoms.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)narcotic (nar-KAH-tik)
A substance used to treat moderate to severe pain. Narcotics are like opiates such as morphine and codeine, but are not made from opium. They bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Narcotics are now called opioids.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
