Medical Profession Vocabulary

Identification of a disease or condition from symptoms

“The diagnosis was confirmed through extensive testing.”

The likely course or outcome of a disease

“The prognosis is favorable with early intervention.”

The cause or origin of a disease

“The etiology of the condition remains unknown.”

The study of the causes and effects of diseases

“The pathology report revealed abnormal cell growth.”

Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring

“Chronic pain requires long-term management strategies.”

Severe and sudden in onset

“The patient presented with acute respiratory distress.”

Not harmful; not malignant

“The tumor was benign and required no further treatment.”

Cancerous and likely to spread

“Early detection of malignant tumors improves survival rates.”

A condition that makes a treatment inadvisable

“Pregnancy is a contraindication for this medication.”

Relieving symptoms without curing the underlying condition

“Palliative care focuses on quality of life for terminal patients.”

Temporary or permanent decrease in disease symptoms

“The cancer went into remission after chemotherapy.”

Intended to prevent disease

“Prophylactic antibiotics were administered before surgery.”

Of unknown cause

“The patient was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.”

Caused by medical treatment or examination

“The infection was iatrogenic, resulting from the surgical procedure.”

The presence of additional diseases alongside a primary condition

“Diabetes is a common comorbidity in heart disease patients.”

Assigning degrees of urgency to decide treatment order

“Emergency room triage ensures critical patients are seen first.”

Showing no symptoms of disease

“Many carriers remain asymptomatic but can still transmit the virus.”

Based on observation rather than theory

“Empirical treatment was started while awaiting lab results.”

Affecting both sides of the body

“The patient had bilateral knee replacements.”

Distinguishing between diseases with similar symptoms

“The differential diagnosis includes several autoimmune conditions.”

An examination of tissue removed from a living body

“The biopsy results confirmed the diagnosis.”

The development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer

“Early treatment prevented metastasis.”