|
Acute: |
Occurring suddenly or over a short
period of time. |
|
Adjuvant Chemotherapy: |
The use of anticancer drugs after
surgery patients whose cancers are most likely to recur.
|
|
Alopecia: |
Hair loss. |
|
Anemia: |
A condition in which blood is deficient
in red blood cells, hemoglobin, or total volume of red blood
cells. |
|
Antimetabolites: |
Anticancer drugs that closely resemble
substances needed by cells for normal growth. The rumor
cells uses the drug instead and "starves" for lack of proper
substance. |
|
Benign Tumor: |
A noncancerous growth that does not
spread to other parts of the body. Outlook for recovery is
usually favorable with treatment. |
|
Biopsy: |
The removal and microscopic examination
of tissue from the living body for purposes of diagnosis.
|
|
Blast Cells: |
An immature stage in cellular
development before appearance of the definitive
characteristics of the cell. |
|
Blood Typing and Cross-Matching: |
The blood cells contain factors that
are not the same in all people. Before a transfusion can be
given, blood samples from the donor and recipient are typed,
or classified (type A, B, AB, or O). Once the two blood
samples have been typed, they are cross-matched to be
absolutely sure that they are compatible. This is done by
placing red cells of the donor in a sample of the
recipient's serum and red cells of the recipient in a sample
of the donor's serum. If the blood does not "clump," or
agglutinate, the two bloods are compatible. Techniques for
typing white blood cells and platelets are similar but more
complex (see HL-A). |
|
Bone Marrow: |
The spongy material that fills the
cavities of the bones and is the substance in which many of
the blood elements are produced. In order to determine the
condition of the marrow, a doctor may take a small sample
from one of the bones in the chest, hip, spine, or leg. Such
examinations are performed with the help of local
anesthesia. |
|
Bone Marrow Transplant: |
Procedure in which a patient's bone
marrow is destroyed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy and
replace with new bone marrow from a donor, usually a sibling
with HL-A (human histocompatibility antigens) identical to
the patient's. |
|
Cancer: |
A general term for about 100 diseases
characterized by uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells. The
resulting mass, or tumor, can invade and destroy surrounding
normal tissues. Cancer cells from the tumor can spread
throughout the blood or lymph (the clear fluid that bathes
body cells) to start new cancers in other parts of the body
(metastases). |
|
Carcinogen: |
A chemical or other agent that causes
cancer. |
|
Carcinoma: |
Cancer of the tissues that cover or
line the body surface and internal organs. |
|
CT Scan (computerized tomography): |
Diagnostic X-Ray procedure in which a
computer is used to generate a three-dimensional image.
|
|
CBC (complete blood count): |
A series of tests to examine components
of the blood. These tests are useful in diagnosing certain
health problems and in following the effects of treatment.
|
|
Chemotherapy: |
Treatment with anticancer drugs.
|
|
Chronic: |
A term that us used to describe a
disease of long duration or one that is progressing slowly.
|
|
Clinical: |
In general, pertaining to observation
and treatment of patients. Clinical research is a term
applied to the study and treatment of patients. |
|
CNS (central nervous system): |
The brain and spinal cord.
|
|
CSFs (colony stimulating factors): |
Hormone-like substances that regulate
the production and function of blood cells, to promote the
growth of infection-fighting white blood cells. |
|
Combination Chemotherapy: |
The use of two or more anticancer
medications for treatment of an individual cancer patient.
|
|
Culture: |
A laboratory procedure in which
micro-organisms contained in samples of blood, secretions,
or other body fluids are cultivated in special nutrients;
used to determine the presence and type of infectious
agents. |
|
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): |
The basic material of life. DNA is a
long, chain-like chemical found in the nucleus of all cells.
The segments of the chain are the genetic code that guides
the development of every cell. |
|
Erythocytes: |
Red blood cells. Their main protein
component, hemoglobin, carries oxygen from the lungs to all
parts of the body. |
|
Extravasation: |
Leaking of the drug out of the vein and
into the skin. |
|
Gamma Globulin: |
A class of protein components of the
blood containing antibodies effective in defending the body
from certain micro-organisms. |
|
Gastrointestinal: |
Pertaining to the digestive tract,
which includes the mouth, throat esophagus, stomach, small
intestine, large intestine, and rectum. |
|
Granulocytes: |
One type of white blood cell that
destroys invading bacteria. |
|
HL -A (human histocompatibility antigens): |
These antigens appear on white blood
cells as well as cells of almost all other tissues and are
analogous to red blood cell antigens (A,B, etc.). By typing
for HL-A antigens, donors and recipients of white blood
cells, platelets, and organs can be "matched" to ensure good
performance and survival of transfused and transplanted
cells. |
|
Hematologist: |
A physician who specializes in the
study of blood diseases. |
|
Hematology: |
The study of blood and blood-forming
organs. |
|
Hemoglobin: |
The iron-protein component in the red
blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues. |
|
Hemorrhage: |
A general term for loss of blood, often
profuse, brought about by injury to the blood vessels or by
a deficiency of certain necessary blood elements such as
platelets. |
|
Hyperalimentation: |
Intravenous administration of
nutrients, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. It is also
called total parenteral nutrition (TPN). |
|
Immune System: |
The body's system of defenses against
disease, composed of certain white blood cells and
antibodies. Antibodies are protein substances that react
against bacteria and other harmful material. |
|
Immunology: |
Study of the body's natural defense
mechanisms against disease. |
|
Immunotherapy: |
An experimental method of treating
cancer that uses substances that stimulate the body's immune
system. |
|
Infection: |
The invasion and multiplication of
disease-producing organisms in the body. |
|
Informed Consent: |
The permission given by a person before
surgery or other kinds of treatment. The patient, or a
parent or guardian, must understand the potential risks and
benefits of the treatment and legally agree to accept those
risks. |
|
Intramuscular (IM): |
The injection of a drug into muscle
tissue, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. |
|
Intravenous (IV): |
The administration of a drug or fluid
directly into a vein. |
|
Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP): |
An X-Ray examination of the kidneys
that depends on accumulation and visualization in the kidney
of a special substance that is injected into a vein. |
|
Isotopic Scan: |
A Diagnostic procedure for examining
the brain, bones, and other organs. In this procedure, a
radioactive substance is introduced intravenously, collects
in certain organs, and is then studied by special scanners
that detect radioactivity. |
|
Leukocytes: |
White blood cells.
|
|
Lumbar Puncture (LP): |
A diagnostic procedure that involves
inserting a needle into the spine and taking a sample of
spinal fluid for examination. Also called a spinal tap.
|
|
Lymph: |
A nearly colorless fluid that bathes
body cells and moves through the lymphatic vessel of the
body. |
|
Lymph Nodes: |
Bean-shaped structures scattered along
vessels of the lymphatic system. These nodes act as filters,
collecting bacteria or cancer cells that may travel through
the lymphatic system. |
|
Lymphangiography: |
An X-Ray procedure that uses a
radio-opaque dye to examine the lymph system. |
|
Lymphatic System: |
Circulatory network of vessels carrying
lymph, and the lymphoid organs such as the lymph nodes,
spleen, and thymus, that produce and store
infection-fighting cells. |
|
Lymphoma: |
A tumor of the lymphatic system.
|
|
Malignant: |
Tending to become progressively worse;
in the case of cancer, it implies ability to invade, spread,
and actively destroy normal tissue. |
|
Metastases: |
Cancer growths that started from cancer
cells shed by a primary cancer arising in another part of
the body. |
|
Monocytes: |
One type of white blood cell that
destroys invading bacteria. |
|
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): |
A techniques that uses magnetic fields
and radio waves linked to a computer to create pictures of
areas inside the body. |
|
Neutrophils: |
A type of white blood cell that plays a
major role in the body's defense against bacteria, viruses,
and fungi. |
|
Oncologist: |
A physician who specializes in cancer.
|
|
Oncology: |
Study of the physical, chemical, and
biological properties and features of cancer. |
|
Ostomy: |
A suffix that refers to a surgically
created passage connecting an internal organ with the skin
or other internal organs. |
|
Pathologist: |
A physician who interprets and
diagnoses the changes cause by disease in the body. |
|
Petechiae: |
Tiny localized hemorrhages from the
small blood vessels just beneath the surface of the skin.
|
|
Plasma: |
The liquid portion of the blood that
contains numerous proteins an minerals and is necessary for
normal body functioning. |
|
Platelets: |
One of the main components of the blood
that forms clots that seal up injured areas and prevent
hemorrhage. |
|
Port: |
Well defined area mapped out for
radiation. |
|
Prognosis: |
An estimate of the outcome of a
disease; a prediction. |
|
Prosthesis: |
An artificial limb.
|
|
Rad: |
A unit of measurement for radiation.
|
|
Radiation Therapist (radiation oncologist): |
A physician who has had additional
specialized training in using radiation to treat human
disease. This specialist differs from the radiologist, whose
primary role is one of diagnostician. |
|
Radiation Therapy: |
Treatment using high energy radiation
from X-Ray machines, cobalt, radium, or other sources.
|
|
Radiation Therapy Technologist: |
A specially trained technician who
assists the radiation therapist in giving external radiation
treatments. |
|
Radioisotope Studies (scans): |
A diagnostic procedure in which a
harmless amount of radioactive chemical is injected into the
blood stream and concentrates in cancer cells. A scanning
device passed over the body senses any radioactivity and
makes a picture of its location in the body. |
|
Radiologist: |
A physician with special training in
reading diagnostic X-rays. |
|
Red Blood Cells: |
Cells that carry oxygen to all the
various organs and tissues of the body. |
|
Recurrence: |
The reappearance of a disease after a
period when symptoms had lessened or deceased. |
|
Remission: |
The decrease or disappearance of cancer
symptoms, also the period during which this occurs. |
|
Research Protocol: |
A general treatment plan that several
hospitals use for one type of cancer. |
|
Sarcoma: |
A cancer of connective tissues such as
bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, nerve sheath, or blood
vessels. |
|
Toxicity: |
The quality of substances that causes
ill effects. |
|
TPN (total parenteral nutrition): |
The procedure in which nutrients are
supplied directly to the bloodstream. |
|
Ultrasound Studies: |
A diagnostic technique in which
"pictures" are made by bouncing sound waves off organs and
other internal structures. Tumors are identified from these
pictures. |
|
X-Rays: |
High-energy radiation used in high
doses to treat cancer or in low doses to diagnoses disease.
|
