a chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of cancer, which operates by interfering with the abnormal growth of cells
fluorouracil in American English
(ˌflurəˈjurəsɪl, ˌflɔr-, ˌflour-)
noun
Pharmacology
a pyrimidine analog, C4H3FN2O2, used in the treatment of certain cancers
Word origin
[fluoro- + uracil]fluoro- is a combining form with the meanings “fluorine,” “fluoride,” used in the formationof compound words. Other words that use the affix fluoro- include: chlorofluoromethane, fluorocarbon, fluorometer, fluoroscope, photofluorography
Examples of 'fluorouracil' in a sentence
fluorouracil
In tests fluorouracil ointment destroyed 'pre-cancerous' skin patches called actinic keratoses.
The Sun (2009)
Fluorouracil ointment is said to reverse changes associated with the effects of too much sun.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Tests show 5-fluorouracil - used to treat a variety of cancers - destroys cells thatkeeps nerves working.