Source: Centerwatch.com
Therapeutic Area |
Description and Examples |
Cardiology/Vascular Diseases |
Diseases
having to do with the structure and function of the heart and blood vessels. |
Dental
and Oral Health |
This area
is related to the teeth, jaw, face and its structures. Studies
in these areas include: acute
and chronic dental pain, oral
cavity cancer, oral
facial pain, oral
medicine, and saliva and salivary gland dysfunction. |
Dermatology |
Fields
concerned with skin disorders and the reconstruction or replacement of
deformed, damaged, or lost parts of the body. Also concerns cosmetic surgery.
Studies
in these areas include: acne, congenital
skin diseases, genital
herpes, genital
warts, liposuction,
psoriasis,
skin
wounds, athlete’s
foot, venous
leg ulcers, and others. |
Endocrinology |
Field
relating to hormone-manufacturing glands such as the pituitary, thyroid,
parathyroid, and adrenal glands, as well as the ovary and testis, the placenta,
and the pancreas. Studies
in this area include: diabetes
and diabetes-related disorders, diet
and nutrition, hormone-replacement
therapy, menopause,
obesity,
and others. |
Gastroenterology |
The
study of the gastrointestinal organs and diseases relating to them. This
includes any part of the digestive tract from mouth to anus, liver, biliary
tract, and the pancreas. Studies
in this area include: constipation,
Crohn’s
disease, diarrhea, gallbladder
disease, heartburn,
hemorrhoids, Irritable
Bowel Syndrome (IBS), ulcers,
liver
disease, stomach
cancer, and others. |
Genetic
Disease |
Field
related to the study of genetic disease, which are inherited, congenital (one
is born with the disease) malfunctions of the genes/chromosomes. Studies
in this area include: Down’s
syndrome, Tay-sachs, cystic
fibrosis, sickle
cell and more. |
Hematology |
Field
regarding blood, blood-forming tissues, and the diseases associated with
them. Studies
in this area include: anemia, blood
clots, bone
marrow transplant, leukemia, platelet
disorders, red-cell
disorders, T-cell
lymphoma, vitamin
deficiencies, white-cell
disorders, and others. |
Hepatology
(Liver, Pancreatic, Gall Bladder) |
This is
the field of illness affecting the liver, pancreas, gall bladder and biliary
tract. This
includes liver disease, hepatitis,
pancreatitis,
cirrhosis
and more. |
Immunology |
This
area covers malfunctions of the immune system, either over stimulation or
under stimulation of the normal immune system processes. Some
examples include: allergies,
asthma,
arthritis,
fibromyalgia,
lupus, inflammatory
bowel disease, colitis
and multiple sclerosis. |
Infections
and Infectious Diseases |
Diseases
caused by the invasion of a pathogen, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and
parasites. These are typically contagious diseases and include: AIDS/HIV, influenza, common cold, vaccines, sexually transmitted diseases, gastroenteritis, etc. |
Musculoskeletal |
Field
having to do with the muscles and the bones of the body. Studies in this area
include: aging, bone density, bone fractures, chronic back pain, hip replacement, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal cord injuries, and others. |
Nephrology |
The
studies and the treatment of diseases of the kidney and the urinary tract.
Studies in these areas include: bladder cancer, impotence, kidney disease, kidney stones, mastectomy, nocturia, renal cell carcinoma, urinary tract infections, and others. |
Neurology |
Field
concerning the nervous system, especially the brain, peripheral nerves, and spinal cord. Studies in this field
include: Alzheimer’s Disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Huntington’s Disease, dementia, memory loss, migraine headaches, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s Disease, strokes, Tourette’s Syndrome, and others. |
Obstetrics/Gynecology |
Research
pertaining to the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth,
as well as to the study of the
women’s reproductive system in general. Studies in these areas include:
contraception, hormone-replacement therapy, menopause, menstrual disorders, ovarian cysts, PMS, pregnancy/labor/delivery, yeast infections, and others. |
Oncology |
The medical, surgical, and radiation treatment of tumors (cancerous, especially). Studies in this area include
most types of cancer and treatment thereof. |
Ophthalmology |
Field
concerning the eye and eye diseases. Studies in this area include: cataracts, eye infections, glaucoma, macular degeneration, near-sighted corrective surgery, and others. |
Otolaryngology
(Ear, Nose, Throat) |
Also
known as ENT (ears, nose, and throat), this is the study of diseases involving the
ears and the larynx (organ that helps produce vocal sounds and serves as an
air passageway, located in the neck/throat). Studies in this area include:
allergy, ear infections, pneumonia, rhinitis, sinus infections, strep throat, and others. |
Pediatrics/Neonatology |
The
medical treatment and study of children and infants, respectively. Studies in
these areas include: anorexia, asthma, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD), birth defects, cancers in children, child depression, growth deficiencies, juvenile diabetes, obesity, strep throat, vaccines, and others. |
Pulmonary/Respiratory
Diseases |
Diseases
having to do with the lungs and/or breathing. Studies in these areas include:
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), allergy, asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, lung disease, pneumonia, sinus infections, smoking cessation, and others. |
Rheumatology |
The
field relating to joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and associated
structures. Studies in this area include: arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, and others. |
Urology |
This is
the field of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive
system. Conditions include urinary tract infections, prostate disorders and erectile dysfunction. |
Vaccines |
This
area investigates preventative and therapeutic vaccines. |