Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the brain and nervous system, but it can be completely prevented if you get medical treatment quickly after being bitten or scratched by an infected animal.
Check which popular diseases are currently being frequently studied.
See also our rare diseases glossary and drug database.
To open the diseases glossary, select a letter from the list below.
The list below features the most popular diseases currently involved in ongoing clinical trials.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the brain and nervous system, but it can be completely prevented if you get medical treatment quickly after being bitten or scratched by an infected animal.
Radiation skin injury affects the vast majority of people who receive radiation therapy for cancer, with nearly 90% experiencing moderate to severe skin reactions that can significantly impact their quality of life and treatment journey.
Radicular pain is a condition where pain radiates along a nerve pathway from the spine to other parts of the body, caused by compression or irritation of nerve roots where they exit the spinal column.
Radiologically Isolated Syndrome (RIS) occurs when brain or spinal cord scans reveal abnormalities characteristic of multiple sclerosis, yet the person experiences no neurological symptoms. This unexpected discovery creates both uncertainty and opportunity for early monitoring and possible intervention.
A radius fracture is one of the most common breaks in the arm, particularly near the wrist. This injury can happen to anyone—from children falling on the playground to older adults experiencing a simple stumble. Understanding what happens when your radius breaks and how it heals can help you navigate the recovery process more confidently.
Rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder is a condition in which people physically act out their dreams while asleep, sometimes with violent movements that can cause injury to themselves or their sleeping partners.
Rasmussen encephalitis is a very rare brain condition that causes ongoing inflammation affecting one side of the brain, leading to frequent seizures that are difficult to control with medicine, progressive weakness on one side of the body, and mental decline.
When your fingers or toes suddenly turn white or blue in response to cold or stress, you may be experiencing a condition that affects your blood vessels and circulation, causing temporary but sometimes painful episodes that can be managed with the right approach.
Rectal adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that forms in the tissues of the rectum, typically starting as abnormal growths called polyps that develop over many years before becoming cancerous tumors.
Rectal cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the last several inches of the large intestine, known as the rectum. While it shares similarities with colon cancer, rectal cancer requires different treatment approaches due to the rectum’s location deep within the pelvis, close to other vital organs.
Recurrent rectal cancer occurs when cancer returns after initial treatment, affecting 6 to 12 percent of patients who previously underwent surgery with or without chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Understanding this complex condition and its management options is essential for patients facing this challenge.
Stage II rectal cancer means the cancer has grown into or through the outer layers of the rectum wall, but it has not yet spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant parts of the body. Understanding your stage helps your healthcare team plan the most effective treatment approach.
Stage III rectal cancer means the disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes but has not yet reached distant parts of the body. Understanding this stage and the available treatment options is an important step in facing this diagnosis.
Rectal neoplasm, commonly known as rectal cancer, is a disease where abnormal cells grow in the tissues of the rectum, the last several inches of the large intestine. While it typically develops slowly over many years, early detection through screening can catch growths before they become cancerous, and surgery may cure the disease when found early.
Rectosigmoid cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the area where the colon meets the rectum, presenting unique challenges in treatment decisions that depend on the tumor’s exact location.
Red blood cell disorders affect millions of people worldwide, disrupting how oxygen reaches every part of the body and potentially causing serious health complications that require lifelong management.
Relapsing multiple sclerosis is the most common form of a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system, where symptoms flare up during attacks followed by periods of partial or complete recovery. Understanding this condition and how to manage it can help you maintain quality of life and slow disease progression.
Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is the most common form of multiple sclerosis, affecting about 80% to 85% of people diagnosed with MS. This type of MS follows a pattern of symptom flare-ups followed by periods of partial or complete recovery, making it distinct from other forms of the disease.
Renal cancer, also known as kidney cancer, is a disease where cells in the kidney grow abnormally and out of control, forming tumors. It is one of the ten most common cancers in adults, with the majority of cases being renal cell carcinoma. While early stages often have no symptoms, advances in imaging and treatment have made kidney cancer more treatable than ever before.
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma is kidney cancer that has spread beyond the kidneys to other parts of the body, most commonly to the lungs, bones, brain, or liver. Though it cannot usually be cured, many treatments can help control the disease and manage symptoms, allowing patients to maintain quality of life.
Kidney cancer can return even years after successful surgery, affecting about 1 in 5 people who undergo treatment for localized disease. Understanding the risk factors, warning signs, and available treatments helps patients navigate this challenging possibility with their medical team.
Stage 4 kidney cancer is the most advanced form of the disease, where cancer that started in the kidney has spread beyond the organ to other parts of the body. While this diagnosis is serious, treatments are available that can often control the cancer and help relieve symptoms.
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, accounting for up to 85% of all kidney cancers. Often it causes no symptoms in early stages, making it difficult to detect until it grows larger or spreads to other parts of the body.
Stage 4 renal cell carcinoma is the most advanced form of kidney cancer, where cancer has spread beyond the kidney to other parts of the body. Although this stage is challenging, treatment options including targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery can help control the disease and manage symptoms.
Renal disorders affect millions of people worldwide, often developing silently over time, but with proper care and early detection, many individuals can manage these conditions and maintain a good quality of life.
When your kidneys lose the ability to filter waste from your blood, dangerous levels of fluid and toxins can build up in your body. Understanding this serious condition and the available treatments can help you take charge of your health and maintain a good quality of life.
Renal impairment is a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood properly, affecting millions of people worldwide and potentially leading to serious health complications if left untreated.
Renal injury, also called acute kidney injury, is when your kidneys suddenly stop working properly. It can happen over hours or days, and while it can be mild, it may also become severe enough to require immediate medical attention. The good news is that many people recover kidney function with quick treatment.
A renal transplant, also known as a kidney transplant, is a surgical procedure to place a healthy kidney from a donor into a person whose kidneys no longer work properly. This treatment offers improved survival and quality of life compared to dialysis for people with kidney failure.
Reperfusion injury is a paradoxical medical problem where restoring blood flow to oxygen-starved tissues can actually worsen the damage already caused by lack of blood supply. This seemingly contradictory process affects multiple organs and can turn a medical emergency into an even more serious health crisis.
Respiratory distress is a serious breathing problem that can affect people of all ages, from premature newborns to critically ill adults, and requires immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications.
Respiratory failure is a serious medical condition that occurs when your body cannot get enough oxygen into your blood or cannot remove enough carbon dioxide from it. This condition can develop suddenly or gradually over time, and while acute respiratory failure is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency care, chronic respiratory failure can often be managed at home with proper treatment and support.
Respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis is a viral infection that affects the smallest airways in the lungs of infants and young children, often turning what seems like a simple cold into a serious breathing problem requiring urgent medical attention.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that nearly all children catch before they turn two years old, yet it remains one of the most serious respiratory infections for babies, older adults, and people with certain health conditions.
Respiratory tract infections are among the most common illnesses affecting millions of people each year, ranging from mild colds to serious lung infections that require medical attention.
Viral respiratory infections are among the most common illnesses worldwide, affecting millions of people each year and leading to thousands of hospitalizations. These infections impact the parts of your body involved in breathing and can range from mild colds to more serious conditions requiring medical care.
Restless legs syndrome is a condition that creates an overwhelming urge to move your legs, especially when trying to rest or sleep. Between 7% and 10% of people in the United States experience this condition, which can disrupt sleep and affect daily life.
Retinal artery occlusion is an eye emergency that occurs when blood flow to the retina is suddenly blocked, often leading to severe and painless vision loss in one eye within minutes or hours.
Retinal neovascularisation involves the abnormal growth of new blood vessels in the retina—a process that attempts to help the eye but often causes serious harm. These fragile vessels can leak blood and fluid, threatening your vision if not detected and treated early.
Retinal vein occlusion is a blockage in a small blood vessel that carries blood away from the back of your eye. This condition can cause sudden vision changes and, without proper treatment, may lead to serious complications that affect your sight.
Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited eye diseases that cause cells in the retina to gradually break down, leading to progressive vision loss that typically begins in childhood with difficulty seeing at night and eventually narrows the field of vision.
Retinoblastoma is a rare eye cancer that develops in the retina, the light-sensing layer at the back of the eye. Though uncommon, it is the most common eye cancer in childhood, typically affecting children under age 5. With early detection and modern treatment, survival rates are very high, often exceeding 95% in specialized care centers.
Retinopathy of prematurity is an eye disease that affects babies born too early. While most cases resolve on their own, some require treatment to prevent vision loss or blindness. Early screening and timely care can protect a baby’s sight.
Proliferative retinopathy is an advanced and serious complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness if left untreated, but with early detection and proper treatment, vision loss can often be prevented or slowed.
Retroperitoneal cancer is a rare group of tumors that develop in the back of the abdomen, often growing silently to very large sizes before they are discovered. Understanding this uncommon disease and finding expert care can make a critical difference in treatment outcomes.
Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare condition where scar-like tissue grows behind the abdominal cavity, potentially squeezing vital organs like the ureters, kidneys, and major blood vessels. While most cases have no known cause, early diagnosis and treatment can lead to full recovery for many patients.
Rett syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that disrupts brain development, causing severe physical and mental disabilities primarily in girls. After months of normal growth, children lose abilities they once had—from speaking and walking to using their hands purposefully—creating a profound impact on nearly every aspect of their lives.
Rhabdoid tumour is a rare and highly aggressive cancer that primarily affects babies and very young children, developing rapidly in the kidneys, brain, soft tissues, or other organs throughout the body.
Rhabdoid tumour of the kidney is one of the most aggressive childhood cancers, striking primarily infants and toddlers with devastating speed and intensity.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in muscle tissue and primarily affects children and teenagers, though adults can also be diagnosed. This aggressive disease requires a combination of treatments and can occur anywhere in the body, making early recognition of symptoms crucial for better outcomes.
When rhabdomyosarcoma returns after treatment, it presents one of the most challenging situations in childhood cancer care, with nearly one-third of patients with localized disease and over two-thirds with metastatic disease experiencing recurrence, typically within three years of initial diagnosis.
Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a serious eye emergency where a tear in the retina allows fluid to seep underneath, causing it to separate from the back of the eye. Without prompt treatment, this condition can lead to permanent vision loss.
Rheumatic disorders represent a large group of over 200 conditions that primarily affect the joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues throughout the body, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty with daily activities.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition where the immune system attacks the body’s own joints, causing pain, swelling and stiffness that can affect daily activities and quality of life.
Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, affects millions of people worldwide, causing sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes when the immune system overreacts to harmless particles in the air.
Richter’s syndrome is a rare but serious complication where chronic lymphocytic leukemia transforms rapidly into a more aggressive form of cancer, usually an aggressive type of lymphoma, requiring immediate medical attention and specialized treatment.
Right ventricular dysfunction occurs when the right side of your heart cannot pump blood effectively to your lungs. This condition can lead to fluid buildup in your body, causing swelling in your legs and abdomen, and can significantly impact your overall health and quality of life.
ROHHAD syndrome is an extremely rare and life-threatening disorder that causes previously healthy children to suddenly gain dramatic amounts of weight, develop serious breathing problems, and experience multiple body system failures. With fewer than 200 documented cases worldwide, this mysterious condition poses unique challenges for families and doctors alike.
Rosai-Dorfman syndrome is a rare condition where the body produces too many white blood cells called histiocytes, which can accumulate in lymph nodes and other parts of the body, causing swelling and various symptoms depending on where these cells collect.
Round cell liposarcoma is a rare cancer that develops in fat cells, usually appearing as a slow-growing lump in the arms or legs, most commonly affecting people between the ages of 20 and 40.