Hematology and Blood Disorders Glossary

Cancer and Hematology Glossary of Terms

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A-C | D-F | G-I | J-L | M-O | P-R | S-U | V-Z

A

Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) (nu-tro-fil)
The number of white blood cells called segs and bands that fight bacterial infections.
Acute
Occurring suddenly or over a short period of time.
Allogeneic Transplant (al-o-je-ne-ik)
A transplant in which a patient receives bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells, or cord blood from other than self or identical twin. Sometimes extended family members or unrelated donors are used.
Alopecia (al-o-pe-she-a)
Hair loss.
Anemia (a-ne-me-a)
A low red blood cell count or low hemoglobin.
Antibody
A substance made by white blood cells that helps fight infection in response to a specific antigen.
Antigen
A foreign substance that causes the body to produce antibodies as a defense.
Associate Nurse
A nurse who works closely with the primary nurse to plan and coordinate a patient's nursing care.
Autologous Transplant (o-tal-a-gus)
A transplant in which the patient is his own donor.

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B

Benign Tumor (be-nine)
An abnormal swelling or growth that is not a cancer.
Biopsy (bi-op-se)
A piece of tissue is taken from a person's body and looked at through a microscope to see if the cells are normal or not.
Blasts
Immature or malignant blood cells.
Blood Cells
Red blood cells called erythrocytes carry oxygen from the lungs to other areas of the body. Platelets called thrombocytes are used to make blood clots stop bleeding. White blood cells are used to fight infections.
Blood Count
Sometimes may be called a combined blood count (CBC). A blood test that measures the number of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells in circulation.
Bone Marrow
The spongy material in the middle of the bones which makes different types of blood cells.
Bone Marrow Aspirate
The removal of a small sample of the bone's marrow with a needle.
Bone Marrow Biopsy
Similar to a bone marrow aspirate, but a larger needle is used to remove a small bone fragment.
Bone Marrow Depression
A decrease in the ability to make blood cells.

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C

Cancer
A large group of diseases characterized by abnormal cells that grow and divide rapidly.
Carcinogen (kar-sin-o-jen)
Any substance that causes cancer.
CBC or Complete Blood Count
A test that measures the number of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells in the body.
Central Line
A special type of IV or intravenous catheter that is surgically placed in a vein very close to the heart.
Chemotherapy (ke-mo-ther-a-pe)
Special medicines or drugs that kill cancer cells.
Chicken Pox or varicella zoster
A common contagious disease of childhood that could cause serious problems for exposed children with cancer if they have not had this infection.
Chronic
A long-term disease or one that progresses slowly.
CNS or Central Nervous System
Refers to the brain and spinal cord.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
A nurse with a master's degree and expertise in a specialty area of nursing.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
A common type of virus that can cause a serious illness in persons who have weakened immune systems.
Cold Sore or fever blister (herpes simplex)
Painful, fluid-filled blisters that usually occur around the mouth and nose and are contagious.
Consolidation Therapy
A phase describing treatment after cancer is in remission. Given to keep the cancer in remission.
Computerized Axial
A type of X-ray which a computer produces.
CT or Tomography Scan
A three-dimensional image of an organ or part of the body.
Culture
A test on blood, urine, stool, or throat secretions to grow a specific organism causing an infection.

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D

Diagnosis
The process of identifying a disease based on its signs, symptoms, cause, and test results.
Dietitian
A health professional with special training in nutrition who has passed a national exam and is registered with the American Dietetic Association.

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E

Echocardiogram (ek-o-kar-de-o-gram)
A test using sound waves to assess the size and motion of the heart muscles.
Edema
Swelling caused by fluid in body tissues.
Electrocardiogram (e-lek-tro-kar-de-o-gram)
A method of testing the heart rhythm and muscle function by measuring the heart's electrical impulses.
Enteral Nutrition
Nutrients and calories provided to the stomach and intestines either by tube.

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F

Fungus
An organism that can cause a serious infection in patients with weakened immune systems.

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G

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF)
A growth factor which stimulates white blood cells.
Germ
Microorganisms that can cause an infection.
Granulocyte Monocytic Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF)
A growth factor which stimulates white cells and macrophages.
Gray
A unit of measurement for radiation.

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H

Hematocrit (he-mat-o-krit)
The percentage of red blood cells in the blood.
Hematologist (hem-a-tol-o-jist)
A physician who specializes in the study of blood.
Hemoglobin (hem-o-glo-bin)
The substance in red blood cells which carries oxygen.
Herpes Simplex
See cold sores.
Herpes Zoster
See shingles, chicken pox.
Human Leukocyte Antigen Typing or (HLA Typing)
A form of laboratory testing which determines the antigens or proteins found on the surface of the red blood cells.
Hyperalimentation (hi-per-al-I-men-ta shun)
Nutrients and calories provided intravenously.

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I

Immune System
The body's internal system of defense against disease.
Immunosuppression (im-u-no-su-presh-un)
Decreased ability to fight infection which can be caused by chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
Induction Therapy (in-duk-shun)
The phase of treatment which is designed to obtain a remission of the cancer.
Infection
Invasion of the body by disease-producing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Informed Consent
The process by which the patient or parent/legal guardian gains understanding about the potential risks and benefits of the treatment plan and legally agrees to accept those risks.
Infusion
Providing various types of fluid through a vein.
Intramuscular (IM)
Injection of a drug into a muscle.
Intrathecal (IT)
Injection of a drug into the spinal fluid.
Intravenous (IV) (in-tra-ve-nus)
Providing a fluid or medication through a vein.

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L

Leukemia (loo-ke-me-a)
A cancer of the blood or bone marrow that causes uncontrolled growth of white blood cells.
Lumbar Puncture (LP) or spinal tap
A test that involves taking and examining a sample of spinal fluid.
Lymph Nodes (limf nodes)
A part of the body's defense against infections; commonly known as glands (tonsils are one example).

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M

Malignant (ma-lig-nant)
Cancerous cells which grow uncontrollably and can invade other tissues.
Maintenance Therapy
The phase of therapy given to keep the cancer in remission.
Metastasis (me-tas-ta-sis)
The spread of cancer from its original site to another place in the body.
Mucositis (mu-ko-si-tis)
Mouth sores due to cancer therapies.

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N

Neoplasm (ne-o-plazm)
New growth of abnormal tissue or tumor.
Neutropenia (nu-tro-pe-ne-a)
Less than the normal number of neutrophils.
NPO
Nothing to eat or drink.

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O

Oncology (on-kol-o-je)
The study of cancer.
Orally
Taken by mouth.

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P

Pathologist
A doctor who interprets and diagnoses changes in cells caused by disease in body tissues.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
A registered nurse with additional education in performing physical examinations, teaching and procedures.
Petechiae (pe-tee-kee-i)
Spots under the skin resulting from specific bruising of small blood vessels.
PO
Taken by mouth.
Primary Nurse
A registered nurse who plans and monitors the care of a patient along with other medical professionals.
Prognosis (prog-no-sis)
A prediction about the outcome of a disease.
Prophylactic (pro-fi-lak-tik)
A type of treatment designed to prevent a disease or a complication that has not yet become evident.
Protocol (pro-to-kol)
A specific plan of therapy.

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R

Radiation Therapy
Treatment using high energy radiation.
Randomization
Chance assignments to different treatment groups.
Reinduction or Reconsolidation
An intense phase of therapy to further induce or consolidate a remission.
Relapse
The return of a disease after its apparent remission.
Remission
The disappearance of cancer symptoms and cells and the patient is may be symptom-free. The disease may still be present.

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S

Shingles or herpes zoster
A painful, blister-like rash that is caused by a reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox.
Spinal Tap
See lumbar puncture.
Staging
Tests done to determine the extent of cancer in the body.
Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant
A procedure in which the patient is given high dose chemotherapy and/or radiation to completely destroy all cancer cells, as well as other rapidly dividing cells including blood cells. The transplant rescues the patient by giving back bone marrow and/or stem cells.
Surgery
One method of treatment for cancer.

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T

Therapy
Treatment for a specific disease or illness.
Thrombocytopenia (throm-bo-si-to-pe-ne-a)
A low platelet count which increases the risk for bleeding.
Toxicity (toks-is-I-ty)
Unpleasant or uncomfortable side-effects caused by treatment.
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
See hyperalimentation.
Tumor
An abnormal growth or mass which can be benign or malignant.

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V

Varicella Zoster
A common contagious disease of childhood that could cause serious problems for exposed children with cancer if they have not had this infection.

Contact Us

For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.

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Written 8/05