Acute

Having a short and relatively severe course.

Adjuvant chemotherapy

The use of drugs to target possible mircometastases or minimal disease.

Alopecia

The loss of hair from the scalp and/or body.

Anemia

A condition characterized by an abnormally low number of red blood cells; symptoms include shortness of breath, lack of energy, dizziness and fatigue.

Antibiotic

A drug used to fight bacterial infections.

Antibody

A protein produced by the body, in response to a foreign substance, that fights the invading organism.

Antiemetic

A medicine to prevent or relieve nausea or vomiting.

Autologous Transplant

A transplant in which the patient’s own stem cells, rather than stem cells from a donor, are infused during transplant to provide the patient with a source of stem cells.

Bacteria

Microscopic organisms that invade human cells, multiply rapidly, and produce toxins that interfere with normal cell function.

Benign

Used to describe a tumor that is neither cancerous nor capable of invading local tissue; for example, some types of moles or warts.

Benign Tumor

A non-cancerous growth that does not spread to other parts of the body.

Biological therapy

The treatment by stimulation of the body’s immune defense system.

Biopsy

The removal and microscopic examination of a sample of tissue to see if cancer cells are present.

Blood typing and cross-matching

Blood cells contain factors that are not the same in all people. Before being given a transfusion, blood samples from the donor and the patient are typed or classified (type A, B, AB, O) to match them. Once typed, the samples are cross-matched to double check that they are compatible.

BMT

Initially, an abbreviation for “bone marrow transplant,” now refers to blood and marrow transplantation.

Bone marrow

The inner, spongy tissue of a bone where red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are formed.

Brachytherapy

Radiation from a source placed inside the body, or inside a body cavity.

Cancer

A general term for more than 100 diseases that have uncontrolled, abnormal growth cells that can invade and destroy healthy tissue.

Candida

A type of yeast, common to the intestine, that can cause infection in immune-compromised patients.

Carcinogen

Any cancer-causing substance or agent.

Carcinoma

Cancer that arises in the epithelial cells that cover external and internal body surfaces.

Carcinoma in situ

Cancer that involves only the top layers without invading deeper tissue.

CAT Scan

(Computerized Axial Tomography); special X-rays that produce computer images of organs and tissues, to detect tumors that regular X-rays cannot. Sometimes a “contrast medium” is used during CAT scans to better illuminate the body tissue being assessed. CAT scanning is performed in a small chamber or room and takes anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes.

CBC

Complete blood count. Determines whether the proper number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are present in the patient’s blood.

Cell Cycle

Sequence of steps that cells go through to grow and replicate.

Central venous catheter (CVC)

A specially inserted, very thin, flexible catheter inserted into a large, “central” vein that provides repeated and painless access to the blood stream for infusion or medications, fluids and blood, and allows withdrawal of blood for laboratory tests. Different brands and types of CVC’s, include Groshong, PICC, Broviac and Hickman catheters. Insertion is usually in the upper, outer chest, or inner arm areas.

Chemotherapy

The treatment of malignancies and other diseases with chemical agents: use of cytotoxic chemicals to destroy rapidly dividing cancer cells throughout the body.

Chest X-ray

A view of the chest area, which includes the heart, lungs, and ribs.

Clinical trial

An investigation of the effects of materials or methods according to a formal study plan for a particular disease.

Colony stimulating factors

Proteins that stimulate the production of growth of certain types of blood cells. (Also called CSFs or growth factors.) Examples are Neupogen or Leukine.

Combination chemotherapy

The use of several drugs at the same time or in a particular order to treat cancer.

Culture

Samples taken of bodily fluids or tissues that are then allowed to grow in the lab to document the presence of an infection and identify the organism responsible.

Debulking

Surgery to decrease tumor size, which may improve the response to postoperative cancer treatment.

Diagnosis

A description of the cause, nature and expected effects of a medical condition.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing; shortness of breath.

Electrolytes (Lytes)

Electrically charged particles that are found in the bloodstream. The correct level of each electrolyte is important for the overall functioning of the body. Examples are sodium, potassium, magnesium.

Extravasation

A term used to describe chemotherapy escaping from the blood vessel into the surrounding tissue, which may result in tissue damage.

Febrile

When the body temperature is higher than what is considered standard or “normal.”

Gray

A measurement of absorbed radiation dose; 1 gray = 100 rads.

Histology

Examination under microscope of the structure, composition, and function of tissue.

Hospice

An organized service designed to provide supportive care to terminally ill patients and their families.

Immune System

The body’s defense network against infection and foreign particles.

Immunosuppression

A condition in which the patient’s immune system is functioning at a lower than normal level. (Also called immunocompromised.)

Immunotherapy

Treatment that is directed at producing immunity or resistance to a disease or condition.

Implant

A small container of radioactive material placed in or near a cancer.

In situ

Confined to the site of origin.

Infusion

The process of putting fluids into a vein by letting them drip slowly through an intravenous catheter.

Injection

The use of a syringe to “push” fluids into the body; often called a “shot.”

Interstitial radiation

A type of therapy in which radioactive substances are implanted into or close to the area needing treatment.

Intraoperative radiation

A type of external radiation used to deliver a large dose of radiation therapy to the tumor bed and surrounding tissue at the time of surgery.

Intrathecal chemotherapy

Special chemotherapy injected into the cerebral spinal fluid, thus entering the brain and central nervous system to treat cancer.

Intravenous

Into the vein; anticancer drugs are often given by IV injection or infusion.

Laser

A powerful beam of light that can develop intense heat when focused at close range. Used in some surgical procedures.

Leukemia

General term for a progressive cancer of the bone marrow, may be acute or chronic. There are several types of leukemia, the specific type is determined by identifying the certain characteristics of the blood cell affected.

Lymphoma

A cancerous disorder of the lymphoid tissue, including Hodgkins Disease. May be nodular or diffuse. There are several different types of lymphoma.

Malignant

Used to describe a tumor made up of cancerous cells.

Metastasis

The spread of cells from a primary tumor to a distant site usually transported via the blood or lymphatic system.

Metastatic

Spread of a disease from the organ or tissue to another part of the body.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Uses a very strong magnetic field to visualize possible tumors in tissue with a high water or fat content that cannot be easily studied by X-ray or some CAT scans. All metal items must be removed before testing, and your doctor, nurse, and the MRI technician must be aware of any metal items implanted in your body. The MRI machinery makes a thumping/clanking sound during the scan, and the scanning lasts anywhere from 10 - 60 minutes.

Mucositis

Irritation and/or sores in the mouth and esophagus caused by chemotherapy and radiation.

Nadir

The period of time when chemotherapy has its most significant effects on the bone marrow, typically ranges 7 - 21 days after chemotherapy is administered.

Nuclear scans

Creates images of tissues, organs, and bones to detect presence of tumors. Requires injection of very small amounts of radioactive material to pinpoint areas of possible tumor. Nuclear scanning is performed on a very firm platform and lasts anywhere from 10 - 30 minutes.

OCN (Oncology certified nurse)

A registered nurse who has practiced oncology nursing for several years and has passed the national comprehensive oncology nursing examination.

Oncologist

A physician trained to treat patients who have cancer.

Oncology

Study, science, or treatment of neoplasms and tumors.

Palliative therapy

A treatment that may relieve symptoms without curing the disease.

PCA (Patient controlled analgesia)

A pump used to administer IV pain medications in which the patient has the option to administer his/her own doses.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplant

A procedure in which the patient’s own peripheral blood stem cells are removed, stored, and returned to the patient after high-dose chemotherapy to restore bone marrow function. This may also be called peripheral blood stem cell rescue or support.

Platelets (PLTs)

Small cells in the blood that are important in blood clotting and help to prevent bleeding.

Polyp

A growth or mass protruding from a mucous membrane, such as the lining of the intestine. Usually a benign overgrowth of normal tissue, sometimes polyps can be true cancerous tumors.

Port-a-cath

A vascular access system implanted completely under the skin, usually in a convenient, but inconspicuous, location on your chest or arm. Medications and fluids can be delivered directly into the bloodstream with the ease of simple injection through the skin.

PRBC (Packed red blood cells)

A transfusion of red blood cells that you may receive when the red blood cell count is low.

Protocol

A standardized treatment plan.

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)

A non-invasive breathing test to determine the efficiency of the lungs.

Rad

Abbreviation for “radiation absorbed dose;” a measurement of the amount of radiation absorbed by tissues (100 rads = 1 gray).

Radiation

Energy carried by waves or a stream of particles.

Radiation therapist

A person specifically trained to run the equipment that delivers radiation treatment. Sometimes called a “radiation technologist.”

Red blood cells (RBCs)

Blood cells that transport oxygen throughout the body.

Regression

Shrinkage or abatement of cancer growth.

Relapse

Recurrence of disease following treatment.

Remission

Reduction of a clinically detectable disease for as long as possible, even though the disease may not have been eliminated.

Risk factor

A component of behavior, genetic makeup, or exposure to a known cancer-causing agent that increases a person’s chance of developing a particular form of cancer.

Sarcoma

A general term for often rapidly growing, highly malignant tumors originating from connective tissue, such as bone, cartilage, muscle, blood vessel, or lymphoid tissue. There are several different types of sarcoma.

Sepsis

The presence of infectious organisms in the blood.

Shunt

A device used to establish an artificial passage by which body fluid is diverted from one circulatory path to another.

Simulation

A process involving special X-ray pictures that are used to plan radiation treatment so that the area to be treated is precisely located and marked for treatment.

Staging

Methods used to establish the extent of a patient’s disease.

Stem cell

“Mother” or “primitive” blood cell from which all other blood cells originate.

Survival

Usually expressed as the ratio of those who survive a disease per number of persons diagnosed with the disease in a given amount of time.

Synergism

Cooperative effects of two agents giving a total effect greater than the sum of the two agents taken independently.

Thrombocytopenia

Decreased platelet counts.

TPN (Total Parental Nutrition)

Fluid infused into a central venous catheter that provides calories, vitamins, and minerals that would normally be received from food. (Also called hyperalimentation.)

Transfusion

An infusion of blood products, usually red blood cells or platelets, to support the body while waiting for stem cells to grow.

Ultrasound

A non-X-ray, radiologic imaging technique where deep structures of the body are visualized by recording the reflections of ultrasonic waves into the tissues. Commonly used in abdominal/pelvic tissue to detect masses and tumors.

Vascular access device

A specially inserted catheter or device into a large vein that provides repeated and relatively painless access to the bloodstream for injection of medications and fluids and withdraw of blood for laboratory tests. There are several different types, including tunneled catheters, such as the Groshong brand typically placed in the upper, outer chest, the PICC catheter, inserted in the inner arm fold; and an implantable port, such as the port-a-cath brand, often placed in the upper outer chest.

Virus

Very small organisms that cause infections by invading other cells.

White blood cells (WBCs)

The blood cells that help the body fight infection and mount immune responses.

Xerostomia

Dryness of the mouth due to side effects of some medication, or related to removal or damage of the salivary glands due to surgery or radiation. May be temporary or permanent.