Page 15 - FCSF New Patient Guide NPG0516 1.30.18

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Acute – Refers to symptoms that start 4 based on how the cancerous cells look Pathology – T e branch of medicine that
and worsen quickly but do not last over compared to normal cells. deals with the laboratory examination
a long time. of body tissue samples for diagnostic or
Hematocrit (HCT) – A blood test that
Antibody – An antigen-specif c receptor, measures the percentage of red blood cells forensic purposes.
also called an immunoglobulin, made by found in blood. PET Scan – A procedure in which a small
B-lymphocytes. Antibodies are a critical Infusion – A method of putting f uids, amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is
component of the immune system that including drugs, into the bloodstream. injected into a vein, and a scanner is used
circulate in the blood and bind to foreign Also called intravenous infusion. to make detailed, computerized pictures
antigens and tumor cells, marking them of areas inside the body where the glucose
for destruction by immune cells. Jaundice – A yellowish staining of the is taken up. Because cancer cells of en take
skin and sclerae (the whites of the eyes) up more glucose than normal cells, the
Antiemetic – Also known as anti–nausea that is caused by high levels in blood of
medication, an antiemetic is a drug that the chemical bilirubin. Jaundice can signal pictures can be used to f nd cancer cells.
relieves nausea and vomiting. problems in the blood, liver and bile ducts Prognosis – Chance of recovery; a
Benign – “Benign” indicates a non– or indicate the presence of an infection. prediction of the outcome of a disease.
cancerous condition, tumor or growth Laboratory test – A procedure that Ask your physician more about survival
that does not spread to other parts of the evaluates a sample of blood, urine, or statistics used to estimate a patient’s
body, nor change or destroy nearby tissue. prognosis.
other substance from the body to make a
Biopsy – Removal of a small tissue sample diagnosis, plan treatment, check whether Red Blood Cell – Produced in the bone
from an organ or other part of the body to treatment is working, or observe a disease marrow, red blood cells (RBCs) contain
determine the presence of disease.. over time. hemoglobin which permits them to carry
oxygen to organs in the body.
Bone marrow – T e sof , spongy tissue Lymph Nodes – Lymph nodes are found
found in the center of large bones where throughout the body including the neck, Transfusion – A safe procedure in
blood cells are formed. underarms and groin. Lymph nodes assist which red blood cells or platelets are
the immune system by catching viruses, administered through an intravenous line.
Cancer – Cancer occurs when cells in a Transfusions replace blood or platelets
particular part of the body begin to grow bacteria and other unknown materials. lost during surgery, chemotherapy or due
out of control. Cancer cells, also called Malignant - An abnormal growth of cells to blood disorders.
malignant cells, can invade other tissues that are cancer.
and form new tumors. Mass – A lump in the body. Tumor – A mass formed when normal cells
begin to change and grow uncontrollably.
Cells – T e basic units that make up the Metastasis – T e spreading of cancer cells A tumor can be benign (noncancerous)
human body. or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can
from one area of the body to surrounding
Complete Blood Count (CBC) – A test tissues or organs. Af er cancer cells spread spread to other parts of the body). It can
that measures the number of white blood to other parts of the body, they continue also be called a nodule or mass.
cells, red blood cells and platelets, as well to multiply and form new tumors. White Blood Cell – White blood cells, or
as the fraction of the blood composed of Neoplasm – An abnormal growth of cells leukocytes, f ght infection in the body.
red blood cells and the total amount of that may or may not be cancer (malignant
hemoglobin in the blood. of benign). Def nitions for additional

CT Scan – A series of detailed pictures of Neutropenia – An abnormally low count terminology related to cancer
areas inside the body taken from dif erent of white blood cells. Neutropenia may
angles. T e pictures are created by a be caused by the following: congenital can be found online at:
computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also disorders, autoimmune disorders, cancer, FLCancer.com/Glossary
called CAT scan, computed tomography viral infections, and certain drugs.
scan, computerized axial tomography Oncologist – A doctor who specializes
scan, and computerized tomography. in treating people with cancer. T e f ve

Grade – A classif cation system that main types of oncologists are medical,
indicates how aggressive a tumor may be. surgical, radiation, gynecologic, and
Most pathologists assign a grade from 1 to pediatric oncologists.

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