A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Dacarbazine (DTIC): A chemotherapy agent administered intravenously to treat metastatic melanoma. Dacarbazine is the only chemotherapy agent currently approved for the treatment of advanced inoperaable melanoma.
Dactinomycin: A chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of a number of cancers, occasionally including pediatric melanoma.
Dartmouth regimen: a combination of dacarbazine, carmustine cisplatin, and the hormonal therapy drug tamoxifen, sometimes used in the treatment of advanced melanoma.
Dendritic cell: A powerful and effective antigen-presenting cell that is especially efficient at alerting resting helper T cells to the presence of foreign tissue. Dendritic cells get their name from the Greek word dendron ("tree") because the cell resembles a tree, with roots and branches spreading out from the main body of the cell.
Dendritic cell vaccines: Vaccines that use dendritic cells to carry and present tumor antigens to the immune system, activating an immune response.
Depression: A mental state characterized by sadness, hopelessness, difficulty thinking and concentrating, changes in eating and sleeping habits, and sometimes thoughts of suicide.
Dermatologist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases.
Dermatopathologist: A pathologist with additional training and certification in making diagnoses from skin biopsies.
Dermis: The second of three layers of tissue that make up the skin. The dermis contains blood and lymph vessels, nerve endings, muscle fibers, oil and sweat glands, and hair follicles.
Dermo-epidermal junction: The lowest part of the epidermis where it meets the dermis. It is the area where melanocytes are located and melanomas usually develop.
Dermoscope: A special hand-held microscope used in dermoscopy to view skin lesions. It resembles the scope used in ear examinations.
Dermoscopy: A technique for viewing skin lesions that increases a physician's ability to distinguish accurately between between suspicious moles and other pigmented lesions. A drop of mineral oil is placed on the lesion to reduce light reflection and make the skin more translucent. Using a dermoscope, the doctor can view the lesion down to the dermo-epidermal junction, the area where melanomas usually develop and that is not visible to the naked eye. Also known as epiluminescence microscopy.
Dietitian: A professional who specializes in planning nutritious diets, and the support of dictary changes associated with cancer or its treatment.
DNA: Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, the part of a cell that carries genetic information and passes it from one generation to the next.
Docetaxel: A chemotherapeutic agent, which is under investigation for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. It belongs to a class of drugs called taxanes.
Dosimetrist: A member of the radiation treatment team who helps plan the proper radiation dose for treatment of cancer.
Down and back skin check: Systematic way to perform a skin self-examination, starting at the top of the head and moving down the front of the body and up the back.
DTIC: See Dacarbazine.
Dysplastic nevi: Moles whose appearance differs from that of common moles. Dysplastic nevi are generally larger than ordinary moles, have irregular or indistinct borders, and often have variations of color within the mole. They usually are flat, but parts may be raised above the skin surface. Also known as atypical moles.
Dysplastic nevus syndrome: A condition characterized by the presence of 100 or more moles on the upper trunk and limbs, at least one of which is dysplastic. The syndrome may be acquired or inherited. Individuals with DNS are at significantly increased risk of developing melanoma.