The following excerpt is
taken from Childhood Leukemia: A Guide for Families, Friends, and Caregivers,
2nd Edition by Nancy Keene, copyright 1999 by O'Reilly & Associates,
Inc. For book orders/information, call (800) 998-9938. Permission is granted to
print and distribute this excerpt for noncommercial use as long as the above
source is included. The information in this article is meant to educate and
should not be used as an alternative for professional medical care.
A B C
D E F G H
I J K L M
N O P
Q R S T U
V W X Y Z
Total count of the neutrophils in
the blood, which provides an indication of a person's ability to fight
infection. To calculate the ANC, add the percentages of seg neutrophils and band
neutrophils, divide by 100, and multiply by the total white blood count.
ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia)
An acute form of leukemia occurring
predominantly in children, characterized by the unrestrained production of
immature lymphoblasts (a type of white cell) in the blood-forming tissues,
particularly the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes.
AML (acute myeloid leukemia)
An acute form of leukemia
characterized by a massive proliferation of mature and immature abnormal
granulocytes (a type of white cell).
Allogeneic transplant
Type of bone marrow transplant in
which the marrow is donated by another person.
Alopecia
Hair loss; a common side effect of
chemotherapy.
Anemia
Condition in which there is a
reduction in the number of circulating red blood cells.
Anesthesia
Partial or total loss of sensation,
with or without loss of consciousness, induced by the administration of a drug.
Anorexia
Loss of appetite.
Anesthesiologist
A doctor who specializes in the
study and administration of anesthesia.
Attending physician
Doctor on the staff of a hospital
who has completed medical school, residency, and fellowship.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
An acute form of leukemia occurring
predominantly in children, characterized by the unrestrained production of
immature lymphoblasts (a type of white cell) in the blood-forming tissues,
particularly the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes.
Asymptomatic
Without symptoms.
Autologous
From the same person. An autologous
bone marrow transplant is a procedure in which bone marrow that has been removed
from a patient is given back to that patient.
Type of lymphocyte (white cell) that
helps produce antibodies that destroy foreign substances.
Basophil
Type of granulocyte (white cell)
that plays a special role in allergic reactions and helps in the healing of
inflammations.
Blast cell
An undifferentiated normal cell in
an early stage of development; also means a leukemic cell of indeterminable
type.
Blood-brain barrier
A network of blood vessels located
around the central nervous system with very closely spaced cells that make it
difficult for potentially toxic substances-including anticancer drugs-to enter
the brain and spinal cord.
Blood type
Identification of the proteins in a
person's blood cells so that transfusions can be given with compatible blood
products. Examples of blood types are A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+, O-.
Bone marrow
Soft, inner part of large bones that
makes blood cells.
Bone marrow aspiration
Process in which a sample of fluid
and cells is withdrawn from the bone marrow using a hollow needle.
Bone marrow biopsy
The removal of a sample of solid
tissue from the bone marrow.
Bone marrow transplant
A procedure in which doctors replace
bone marrow that has been destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy and/or
radiation.
CBC (complete blood count)
Measurement of the numbers of white
cells, red cells, and platelets in a cubic millimeter of blood.
CML (chronic myelogenous leukemia)
A disease that progresses slowly and
is characterized by increased production of granulocytes in the bone marrow. It
is usually associated with a specific chromosomal abnormality called the
Philadelphia chromosome.
CNS (central nervous system)
The brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Cancer
A term for diseases in which
abnormal cells divide without control.
Carcinogen
A substance or agent that produces
cancer.
Centigray
Measurement of radiation-absorbed
dose; same as a rad.
Central nervous system
Brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Fluid that surrounds and bathes the
brain and spinal cord and provides a cushion from shocks.
Children's Cancer Group (CCG)
An organization that designs and
monitors pediatric clinical trials.
Chemotherapy
Treatment of disease with drugs. The
term usually refers to cytotoxic drugs given to treat cancer.
Chromosome
A structure in the nucleus of a cell
that contains genetic material. Normally, 46 chromosomes are inside each human
cell.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
A disease that progresses slowly and
is characterized by increased production of granulocytes in the bone marrow. It
is usually associated with a specific chromosomal abnormality called the
Philadelphia chromosome.
Clinical trial
A carefully designed and executed
investigation of a drug, drug dosage, combination of drugs, or other method of
treating disease. Each trial is designed to answer one or more scientific
questions and to find better ways to prevent or treat disease.
Consolidation
Portion of the protocol which
consists of new combinations of drugs to destroy any cancer cells that survived
induction.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
One of a group of herpes viruses
that can cause fatal infections in immunosuppressed patients.
Cytotoxic
Causing the death of cells.
Delayed intensification
Portion of treatment that comes
after the initial induction, consolidation, and interim maintenance. The purpose
of this phase is to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Differentiation
The process by which cells mature
and become specialized.
Echocardiogram
A diagnostic test that uses
ultrasound to visualize the interior of the heart and determine how effectively
it is functioning.
Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)
A graphic record of the electric
current produced by the contraction of the heart.
Electromagnetic fields
Magnetism produced by electrical
fields.
Eosinophil
A type of white cell that responds
to allergic reactions as well as foreign bacteria.
Erythrocytes
Red blood cells.
External catheter
Indwelling catheter in which one end
of the tubing is in the heart and the other end of the tubing sticks out through
the skin, for example, a Hickman catheter.
Fellow
A physician who has completed four
years of medical school and several years of residency, and is pursuing
additional training in a specialized field.
Finger poke
When a laboratory technician pricks
the fingertip to obtain a small sample of blood.
Graft
Tissue taken from one person (donor)
and transferred to another person (recipient or host).
Graft-versus-host disease
A condition that may develop after
allogenic bone marrow transplantation in which the transplanted marrow (graft)
attacks the patient's (host's) organs.
Granulocytes
A type of white cell that destroys
foreign substances in the body such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver by virus
or toxic origin. Fever and jaundice are usually present, and sometimes the liver
is enlarged.
Hematocrit
The measurement of the proportion of
cells to plasma in a sample of blood. Sometimes called packed cell volume (PCV).
Hematologist
Physician who specializes in the
diagnosis and treatment of disorders of blood and blood-forming tissues.
Hemoglobin
The protein found in red blood cells
that carries oxygen.
Hemorrhagic cystitis
Bleeding from the bladder, which can
be a side effect of the drug cytoxan.
Heparin solution
An anticoagulant injected into
indwelling catheters between uses to prevent clots.
Hickman catheter
An indwelling catheter that has one
end of the tubing in the heart and the other end outside the body.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
The virus that causes AIDS.
Host
In bone marrow transplantation, the
person who receives the marrow.
Human leukocyte antigens (HLAs)
Proteins on the surface of cells
that are important in transplantation and transfusion. For BMTs, the HLAs on
white cells of the patient and potential donor are compared. A perfect HLA match
occurs only between identical twins.
Infusion pump
A small, computerized device which
allows drugs to be given at home through an IV or indwelling catheter.
Immune system
Complex system by which the body is
able to protect itself from foreign invaders.
Immunosuppression
When the immune system is
suppressed, leaving the body susceptible to infection.
Induction
The first part of the chemotherapy
protocol for treating some types of leukemia in which several powerful
chemotherapy drugs are given to kill as many cancer cells as possible.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Group made up of scientists, clergy,
doctors, and citizens from the community, which approves and reviews all
research taking place at an institution.
Intern
Recent medical school graduate who
is receiving his/her first year of supervised practical training in medical and
surgical care of patients in hospitals.
Intrathecal
Injecting drugs into the
cerebrospinal fluid during a spinal tap.
Intravenous-access line (IV)
A hollow metal or plastic tube which
is inserted into a vein and attached to tubing, allowing various solutions or
medicines to be directly infused into the blood.
Leukemia
Disease characterized by the
unrestrained growth of abnormal white cells in the bone marrow, and often in the
spleen and liver; these cancerous cells usually appear in the peripheral blood
and may also invade other organs.
Leukocytes
White blood cells.
Leukopenia
A below-normal number of white
cells.
Lidocaine
Drug most commonly used for local
anesthesia.
Lumbar puncture (LP; spinal tap)
Procedure in which a needle is
inserted between the vertebrae of the back to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal
fluid and/or inject medication.
Lymph
A clear, colorless fluid found in
lymph vessels throughout the body, which carries cells to fight infection.
Lymph nodes
Rounded bodies of lymphatic tissues
found in lymph vessels.
Lymph system
A system of vessels and nodes
throughout the body which helps filter out bacteria as well as performs numerous
other functions.
Lymphocytes
Type of white cell, formed in the
lymphoid tissues, that prevents infection and helps provide immunity to disease.
Maintenance
Part of a leukemia protocol for
treating ALL. It follows the intensive induction and consolidation phases and
helps destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Medical student
Student who has completed four years
of college and is enrolled in medical school.
Monocytes
Type of white blood cell.
Neurotoxic
Substance which is poisonous to the
brain, spinal cord, and/or nerve cells.
Neutropenia
Condition when the body does not
have enough neutrophils (a type of infection-fighting white cell).
Neutrophils
The most numerous of the
granulocytic white cells, which migrate through the bloodstream to the site of
infection, where they ingest and destroy bacteria.
Nutritionist
A professional who analyzes
nutritional requirements and gives advice on how to eat an appropriate diet for
any condition.
Oncologist
Doctor who specializes in the
treatment of cancer.
Oncology
Study of cancer.
Pancreas
A gland situated behind the stomach
which has two vital functions: it secretes enzymes into the intestines which aid
in the digestion of food, and it produces and secretes insulin, a hormone
essential for regulating carbohydrate metabolism by controlling blood sugar
levels.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas which
can cause extreme pain, vomiting, hiccoughing, constipation, and collapse.
Pathologist
Doctor who specializes in examining
tissue and diagnosing disease.
Pediatrician
Doctor who specializes in the care
and development of children and the treatment of their diseases.
Pediatric Oncology Group (POG)
An organization which designs and
monitors pediatric clinical trials.
Petechiae
Small, reddish spots under the skin
caused by hemorrhage.
Plasma
The liquid part of the lymph and the
blood.
Platelet
Disc-shaped blood cell which aids in
blood clotting.
Port-a-cath
Indwelling catheter which has a
small portal under the skin of the chest attached to tubing which goes into the
heart.
Prognosis
Expected or probable outcome.
Prophylaxis
An attempt to prevent disease.
Protocol
The "recipe" for a child's
cancer treatment. Outlines the drugs that will be taken, when they will be
taken, and in what dosages. Also includes the dates for procedures (e.g., bone
marrow aspiration schedule).
Radiation absorbed dose. A unit of
measurement of the absorbed dose of radiation.
Radiation
High-energy rays which are used to
kill or damage cancer cells.
Radiologist
Doctor who specializes in using
radiation and radioactive isotopes to diagnose and treat disease.
Randomized
Chosen at random. In a randomized
research project, a computer chooses which patients receive the experimental
treatment(s) and which patients receive the standard treatment.
Relapse
A return of the cancer after its
apparently complete disappearance.
Remission
Disappearance of detectable disease.
Resident
Physician who has completed four
years of medical school and one year of internship, and who is continuing his or
her clinical training.
Right atrial catheter
Indwelling catheter with tubing that
extends into the heart which provides access for drawing blood and injecting
medication.
Side effect
Unintentional or undesirable
secondary effect of treatment.
Somnolence syndrome
Syndrome which can occur from three
to twelve weeks after cranial radiation. It is characterized by drowsiness,
prolonged periods of sleep (up to twenty hours a day), low-grade fever,
headaches, nausea, vomiting, irritability, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty
speaking.
Spinal tap
Procedure in which a needle is
inserted between the vertebrae of the back to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal
fluid and/or inject medication. Also called a lumbar puncture (LP).
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Bacteria normally present on the
skin which can infect the blood through an indwelling catheter.
Stem cells
Cells from which all blood cells
develop.
Streptokinase
Enzyme sometimes used to dissolve
blood clots in catheter tubing.
Stroke
Loss of consciousness and paralysis
caused by bleeding into the brain or clotting that blocks blood flow to a
portion of the brain, causing injury or death to brain tissue.
Subcutaneous port
Type of indwelling catheter
comprised of a portal under the skin of the chest attached to tubing leading
into the heart.
Systemic
Affecting the body as a whole.
T cell
Type of lymphocyte (white cell),
derived from the thymus, that attacks infected cells, foreign tissue, and cancer
cells.
Thrombocytes
Platelets.
Thymus
Small gland located behind the
breast bone and between the lungs that plays a major role in the immune system.
Tumor board
A meeting held at a hospital,
attended by oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, fellows, and residents,
where complicated cases are discussed to develop a treatment plan.
Urokinase
Enzyme sometimes used to dissolve
clots in catheter tubing.
Vancomycin
Antibiotic commonly used to treat
infections in indwelling catheters.
Vital signs
Term that describes a patient's
pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure.
White blood cells
Cells that help the body fight
infection and disease.
X-ray
High-energy electromagnetic
radiation used in low doses to diagnose disease or injury and in high doses to
treat cancer.
X-ray technician
Certified technician who positions
patients for x-rays, monitors equipment, and takes x-rays of the body