Young People with Cancer
A Handbook for Parents

National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health

Glossary

Acute:

Occurring suddenly or over a short period of time.

 

Adjuvant Chemotherapy:

The use of anticancer drugs after surgery in 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 tumor cell 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 replaced 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 through 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 tomograph)

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. The tests are useful in diagnosing certain health problems and in following the effects of treatment.

 

Chemotherapy:

Treatment with anticancer drugs.

 

Child Life Worker:

Professional who is responsible for making the hospital and treatment experience less intimidating for the child by coordinating play therapy, schoolwork, and other activities.

 

Chronic:

A term that is 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.

 

Combination Therapy:

The use of two or more methods to treat an individual cancer patient, e.g., surgery and radiation therapy.

 

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.

 

Erythrocytes:

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 microorganisms.

 

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:

A diagnostic procedure that involves inserting a needle into the spine and taking a sample of spinal fluid for examination. Also called spinal tap.

 

Lymph:

A nearly colorless fluid that bathes body cells and moves through the lymphatic vessels of the body.

 

Lymph Nodes:

Bean-shaped structures scattered along vessels of the lymphatic system. The 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 technique 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 of other internal organs.

 

Pathologist:

A physician who interprets and diagnoses the changes caused by disease in body tissue.

 

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 and minerals and is necessary for normal body functioning.

 

Platelet:

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 bloodstream 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 ceased.

 

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 tissue such as bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, nerve sheath, or blood vessels.

 

Toxicity:

The quality of substances that causes ill effects.

 

TPN (totalparenteral 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 diagnose the disease.