Adefovir is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat chronic hepatitis B in adults and children at least 12 years old. Adefovir is not a cure for chronic hepatitis B. Adefovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Adenomyosis is a disease that occurs when the cells that normally line the uterus grow into the muscular tissue of the uterine wall. It occurs most often in women older than 30 who have had a full-term pregnancy. It is rare in women who have not had a full-term pregnancy. Adenomyosis does not occur after menopause. But...

Adenosine is a naturally occurring substance that relaxes and dilates blood vessels. Adenosine also affects the electrical activity of the heart. Adenosine is used to help restore normal heartbeats in people with certain heart rhythm disorders. Adenosine is also used during a stress test of the heart. Adenosine may also...

Hyperactivity refers to inappropriate or excessive activity for a person's age or situation. Hyperactivity is not always a continuous behavior, as is often assumed. A person who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with hyperactivity as the main symptom may only sometimes be overactive. If a person has...

If you are an adult who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you will most likely see an improvement in your symptoms when you take medicine for the condition. Behavioral interventions are not meant to treat inattention, overactivity, or impulsivity. But they can help you be more organized and have...

Some of the misconceptions about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) include the following: Myths and facts about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Myth Fact There is no such medical condition as ADHD. ADHD is a medical disorder, not a condition of the child's will. A child...

Covers helping a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder succeed in school. Discusses working with teachers and other school personnel. Also covers helping your child control symptoms. Includes interactive test to measure what you've learned.

One of the most difficult things about parenting a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is getting your child to do what you ask. Daily routines, such as getting ready for school or bed and getting homework done, can become battlegrounds. ADHD symptoms—inattention, impulsivity, and...

Impulsivity Impulsivity refers to acting without thinking first. Impulsivity in a person who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly likely to continue into adulthood. People with symptoms of impulsivity often: Are impatient with waiting their turn or waiting in line. Blurt out answers before...

Guides you through the decision to have your child take medicine for ADHD. Lists benefits and risks of medicines. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Social skills training helps the child or adult who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) be less aggressive and impulsive, manage anger, and behave in a more socially acceptable way. Techniques include: Coaching. Role-playing. Watching videotapes of positive behavior. Practicing ways to settle conflicts...

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in an adult is often not noticed because the person may maintain relationships and hold a steady job. It is not unusual for a parent to discover he or she has ADHD when his or her child is diagnosed with the disorder. The key to the diagnosis of ADHD for an adult is...

Being a parent of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is full of challenges and frustrations. This can lead to exhaustion. Taking good physical and emotional care of yourself will help provide you with needed energy. Schedule time for yourself. Proper diet, exercise, rest, and leisure activities...

The child who is being evaluated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be evaluated for other disorders associated with the condition, such as learning or behavior disorders. The child may be asked questions (verbal tests) or may be given written tests to evaluate his or her intellectual abilities...

Looks at adjustable gastric banding surgery (also called gastric banding), a type of weight-loss surgery used to treat obesity. Explains what it is and why it is done. Looks at how it is done and what to expect after surgery. Also covers risks.

Studies examining the prevalence of mental disorders in cancer patients [ 1, 2] show that most cancer patients do not meet the diagnostic criteria for any specific mental disorder; however, many do experience a variety of difficult emotional responses.[ 3] Psychosocial distress exists on a continuum (refer to the figure...

Anxiety and distress can affect the quality of life of patients with cancer and their families. Patients living with cancer feel many different emotions, including anxiety and distress. Anxiety is unease, fear, and dread caused by stress. Distress is emotional, mental, social, or spiritual suffering. Patients who are...

Ado-trastuzumab emtansine is used to treat a HER2-positive breast cancer. This medicine is used both for early breast cancer and for breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). Ado-trastuzumab emtansine is usually given after other treatments have failed. Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab) should not...

Before the adolescent growth spurt, the strength of boys and girls is about the same. But afterward, males most often have the advantage. During these years of rapid physical growth, adolescents may be somewhat awkward or clumsy as they get used to longer limbs and bigger bodies. Their brains need time to adjust to the...

Incidence and Mortality Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor that affects only 0.72 persons per one million population.[ 1] Although it mainly occurs in adults, children can be affected, too. The median age at diagnosis is 46 years. Historically, only about 30% of these malignancies are confined to the adrenal...

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the outer layer of the adrenal gland. There are two adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are small and shaped like a triangle. One adrenal gland sits on top of each kidney. Each adrenal gland has two parts. The outer layer of the adrenal...

An adrenocorticotropic hormone test measures the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the blood to check for problems with the pituitary gland and adrenal glands . ACTH is made in the pituitary gland in response to the release of another hormone, called corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), by the...

ALL (also called acute lymphocytic leukemia) is an aggressive type of leukemia characterized by the presence of too many lymphoblasts or lymphocytes in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. It can spread to the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, central nervous system (CNS), and other organs. Without treatment, ALL usually...

Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; also called acute lymphocytic leukemia) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This type of cancer usually gets worse quickly if it is...

Incidence and Mortality Estimated new cases and deaths from AML in the United States in 2020:[ 1] New cases: 19,940. Deaths: 11,180. Prognosis and Survival Advances in the treatment of AML (also called acute myelogenous leukemia, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia [ANLL]) have resulted in substantially improved complete...

Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts (a type of white blood cell), red blood cells, or platelets. Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This type of cancer usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated. It is...

Incidence and Mortality Brain tumors account for 85% to 90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors.[ 1] Estimated new cases and deaths from brain tumors and other nervous system tumors in the United States in 2020:[ 2] New cases: 23,890. Deaths: 18,020. Available registry data from the Surveillance...

An adult central nervous system tumor is a disease in which abnormal cells form in the tissues of the brain and/or spinal cord. There are many types of brain and spinal cord tumors. The tumors are formed by the abnormal growth of cells and may begin in different parts of the brain or spinal cord. Together, the brain and...

Incidence and Mortality Estimated new cases and deaths from HL in the United States in 2020:[ 1] New cases: 8,480. Deaths: 970. More than 75% of all newly diagnosed patients with adult HL can be cured with combination chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.[ 2] Over the last five decades, U.S. national mortality has...

Adult Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system. Adult Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymph system. The lymph system is part of the immune system. It helps protect the body from infection and disease. The lymph system is made up of the following...

After getting approval from several expert groups, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following immunization schedule for adults. You can view it online at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/index.html.

The non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative malignancies with differing patterns of behavior and responses to treatment.[ 1] Like Hodgkin lymphoma, NHL usually originates in lymphoid tissues and can spread to other organs. NHL, however, is much less predictable than Hodgkin lymphoma...

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that forms in the lymph system. The lymph system is part of the immune system. It helps protect the body from infection and disease. The lymph system is made up of the following: Lymph...

Liver cancer includes two major types: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic bile duct cancer. (Refer to the Cellular Classification of Adult Primary Liver Cancer section of this summary for additional, less-common variances; also refer to the PDQ summary on Bile Duct Cancer [Cholangiocarcinoma] Treatment for...

Adult primary liver cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver. The liver is one of the largest organs in the body. It has two lobes and fills the upper right side of the abdomen inside the rib cage. Three of the many important functions of the liver are: To filter harmful...

Incidence and Mortality Estimated new cases and deaths from soft tissue sarcoma in the United States in 2020:[ 1] New cases: 13,130. Deaths: 5,350. Soft tissue sarcomas are malignant tumors that arise in any of the mesodermal tissues of the extremities (50%), trunk and retroperitoneum (40%), or head and neck (10%). The...

Adult soft tissue sarcoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the soft tissues of the body. The soft tissues of the body include the muscles, tendons (bands of fiber that connect muscles to bones), fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and tissues around joints. Adult soft tissue sarcomas can...

Provides links to information about advance care planning. Includes links on advance directives, palliative care and hospice, finding a health care agent, and dealing with grief or dementia.

Guides through decision to receive artificial hydration and nutrition if you have a life-threatening or terminal illness. Describes various feeding-tube methods. Discusses benefits and risks. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Guides through decision to receive CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and mechanical ventilation. Describes the procedures and discusses risks and benefits of each. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Guides through decision to stop kidney dialysis for kidney failure. Covers key factors in decision. Covers benefits and risks. Discusses what happens after dialysis is stopped. Offers interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Guides through decision to stop treatment that can prolong your life. Discusses choosing what kind of care you want. Covers factors that may affect your decision, such as type of illness. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Learn more about what questions to keep asking—as your treatment and preferences change.

It's common to have a lot of questions if you're thinking about hospice. Knowing more may help.

It can be hard to know which treatments you may or may not want near the end of life. Learning more can help.

A living will and a medical power of attorney are types of advance directives. These forms describe the kinds of medical care you want to receive if you're badly hurt or have a serious illness that keeps you from saying what you want. A medical power of attorney lets you name a person to be your health care agent. He or...

Learn how advance directives let others know your care preferences when you can't speak for yourself.

Learn how to find hope when facing advanced cancer.

Afatinib is used to treat a certain type of non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Afatinib is used for this condition only if your tumor has a specific genetic marker for which your doctor will test. Afatinib is also used to treat squamous non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to...

Aflibercept is made from a human antibody fragment. It works by keeping new blood vessels from forming under the retina (a sensory membrane that lines the inside of the eye). In people with a certain type of eye disease, new blood vessels grow under the retina where they leak blood and fluid. This is known as the...