Definition

A medication used to treat certain types of cancer, especially ovarian and breast cancer, which is made from the bark of the Pacific yew tree.

Example

Doctors often prescribe paclitaxel for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Conversation

I heard that paclitaxel is really effective for certain types of cancer.

Yeah, it's often used when other treatments don't work anymore.

It's amazing how medicine evolves to help patients.

Totally! It's important to keep finding new options like paclitaxel.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Paclitaxel is derived from the Pacific yew tree, specifically from the chemical compound found in its bark. The name itself is a combination of 'pacific' (referring to the Pacific region where the yew tree is found) and 'taxus' (from Latin, meaning yew). The word refers to a specific compound used in cancer treatment derived from the yew tree.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Pacific' region where the yew tree grows and 'taxus' which means yew in Latin, helping you remember that paclitaxel is a compound from the Pacific yew tree.

Visually Confused Words