Acute leukemia
A type of cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue like the bone marrow.
Acute leukemia causes many white blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.1
Anemia
A condition in which a person’s red blood cell count is below normal.1
Antibiotic
A drug that fights infections by killing bacteria or other germs.1
Antidepressant
A drug that helps treat depression.
Blasts
Immature blood cells.1
Blood transfusion
Receiving blood or blood products through a blood vessel.1
Bone marrow
Material in the inner bones that produces blood cells.
Bone marrow transplantation
Medical procedure that first uses high doses of anticancer drugs or radiation
to destroy existing bone marrow. The transplanted bone marrow may be the patient’s
own marrow saved before treatment (called autologous transplantation), marrow
donated by another person (allogeneic transplantation), or marrow donated by
an identical twin (syngeneic transplantation).
Chemotherapy
Prescription medications used to kill cancer cells in patients.
Clinical study
Research study that includes volunteers who test new ways to screen, prevent,
diagnose or treat an illness. Also known as clinical trial.1
Contaminant
Something that stains, soils or infects other things through contact.2
Desferrioxamine
A drug that removes excess iron from the body. This drug may be used in people
with anemia who receive many blood transfusions.3
Diuretic
A drug that increases urine production.1
Erythropoietin
A natural substance made in the kidneys that stimulates the bone marrow to
produce red blood cells.1
Genetic
Something that is inherited. Genetic traits are passed from parents to their
offspring through genes in egg cells and sperm.1
Growth factor
Substance made by the body that works to regulate cell survival and cell
division.1
Immune system
Group of organs and cells that helps the body defend itself against infections
and diseases.1
Immunosuppressive drug
Drugs that work to decrease the body’s immune response.1
Neutropenia
A condition in which a person has an abnormally low number of neutrophils
(type of white blood cell).1
Platelet
Type of blood cell responsible for helping the blood to clot. Also known
as thrombocyte.1
Prognosis
The typical course or outcome of a disease. Also, the chance of recovering
from the disease, or the chance of the disease reoccurring.1
Quality of life
Measure of overall enjoyment of life. Many research studies evaluate the
effects of cancer and its treatment on patients’ quality of life. These
studies measure things like a patient’s sense of well-being and ability
to perform various activities.
Radiation therapy
Use of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors.
Red blood cell
Type of blood cell responsible for carrying oxygen to every part of the body.
Also known as erythrocyte.1
Risk factor
Something that can increase the chances of developing a medical condition.
Side effect
A problem that happens when medical treatment affects healthy tissues or
organs. Side effects of certain cancer treatments may include pain, fatigue,
nausea, vomiting, hair loss, mouth sores and decreased blood cell counts.
Stem cell
A cell that produces other kinds of cells. Blood-forming stem cells produce
red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.1
Symptoms
A change in a person’s normal function, sensation, and/or appearance
that may indicate the occurrence of a disease or medical condition.
Thrombocytopenia
A condition in which a person has an abnormally low number of platelets in
the blood. This condition may cause easy bruising and bleeding.1
Toxic
When a substance is poisonous or harmful to the body, usually causing negative
effects.1
White blood cell
Type of blood cell made in the bone marrow that helps the body fight infection
and diseases.1
