Medical

A fracture that collapses a spinal vertebra as a result of the compression of bone, leading to collapse of the vertebrae much like a sponge collapses under the pressure of one's hand.

A common skin disorder that is characterized by benign, painless, often wart-like skin lesions that appear to be 'stuck on.' The raised spots are usually yellow or brown.

A small rough spot on the skin that can give rise to a skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

Jaundice caused by obstruction of the drainage through the bile ducts, as may occur with gallstones.

A medication that depresses or halts immune system activity.

A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pain, swelling, and fever. Common brand names of ibuprofen include Advil, Motrin, and Nuprin.

A herpesvirus that contributes to the development of Kaposi sarcoma, an otherwise rare form of cancer sometimes seen in AIDS patients, and to some B-cell lymphomas.

A herpes virus that apparently lies dormant in many people, and is most likely to cause problems when the immune system is compromised by disease, as in AIDS patients, or by deliberate immune suppress

Histiocytosis in which the histiocytes actually become cancerous. Treatment is by radiation and chemotherapy, and in some cases bone-marrow transplantation. See also histiocytosis.

One of several disorders in which histiocytes start to multiply and proliferate abnormally. The result can be tissue damage, pain, the development of tumor-like lumps, fatigue, and other symptoms.