Definition of Factor, colony-stimulating

Factor, colony-stimulating: A laboratory-made agent similar to a normally existing substance in the body that stimulates the production of blood cells.

The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) include granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF).

Treatment with colony-stimulating factors can help the blood-forming tissue recover from the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.