Cancer-related terminology: glossaries for compounded pharmacists and their clients.

Webster's dictionary defines cancer as a "pernicious, spreading evil...", a definition that is hard to debate. Cancer is a life-changing disease for both the patient with cancer and the family members. Compounding pharmacists have the resources to assist patients in reducing their pain, nausea, and other symptoms of cancer and the side effects of their cancer treatments. By providing a glossary of terms for clients affected by cancer, compounding pharmacists also can reduce at least a small part of their frustration. The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc., has published many formulations and articles dealing with cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects, and is working hard to get more formulations online so we can participate in the challenge and victory of defeating the pain and suffering of patients with cancer.