Glossary of Acronyms and Terms

Acronyms

AIHA: Auto-Immune Hemolytic Anemia (low red cells)
C: Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
CBC: Complete blood cell count
CD: Cluster of differentiation. Markers on the cell surface, important in analyzing the disease and the choice of treatment.
CR: Complete remission
CT: CAT Scan
DX: Diagnosis
F: Fludarabine (Fludara)
FC, FR, FCR: Combination therapies
ITP: Immune Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
IVIG: Intravenous gammaglobulin
MoAb: Monoclonal antibody
PET: Positron Emission Tomography
PFS: Progression-Free Survival
PR: Partial remission
R: Rituximab (Rituxan)
RIT: Radioimmunotherapy
TX: Treatment

Guide to Medical Terms

Absolute neutrophil count (ANC): A measurement of the number of mature neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) that are available for fighting infection. A low ANC increases the risk for infection.

Advanced disease: Disease that has spread to multiple locations.

Aggressive lymphomas: Lymphomas that are fast growing and generally need to be treated immediately. Also called intermediate-grade or high-grade lymphomas.

Allogeneic transplant: A procedure in which a patient receives bone marrow or stem cells donated by another person.

Alopecia: Hair loss. Alopecia from chemotherapy is almost always temporary; hair grows back when therapy is finished.

Anemia: A shortage of red blood cells, causing weakness and fatigue.

Angiogenesis: The process of developing new blood vessels.

Antiangiogenesis therapies: Drugs that prevent tumors from developing new blood vessels, thereby stopping or limiting tumor growth.

Antibody: A substance made by B-lymphocytes that reacts with antigens on toxins, bacteria and some cancer cells and either kills or marks them for removal.

Antiemetic: A drug that reduces or prevents nausea and vomiting.

Antigen: Identifying proteins located on the surface of all cells. The immune system uses antigens to determine whether cells are a necessary part of the body or need to be destroyed.

Apheresis: The part of the stem cell transplantation procedure in which stem cells are removed from the blood.

Autologous transplant: A type of bone marrow or stem cell transplantation in which a patient receives his or her own cells.

Beta (2) microglobulin (B2M): A protein found in the blood. Higher levels of B2M suggest that the lymphoma may be more aggressive.

Biologic therapy: Treatment that uses or stimulates the immune system or other body systems to fight infection and disease.

Biopsy: Removal of a small piece of tissue for evaluation under a microscope.

Bone marrow: Spongy material found inside the bones containing stem cells that develop into three types of cells: red blood cells that deliver oxygen to the body and take away carbon dioxide; white blood cells that protect the body from infection; and platelets that help the blood to clot.

Bulky tumor: A large tumor, usually greater than five, seven or ten centimeters.

Cancer: Abnormal cell growth that cannot be controlled by the body’s natural defenses. Cancerous cells can grow and eventually form tumors.

Catheter (intravenous access): A device that is temporarily or permanently put into a vein that makes it easier to give medications.

Cerebrospinal fluid: Fluid that is present around the spine and brain. It may be examined to determine if NHL has spread to these parts of the body.

Chemotherapy: Treatment with drugs to stop the growth of rapidly dividing cancer cells, including lymphoma cells.

Chemotherapy cycle: Term used to describe the process in which chemotherapy is given, followed by a period of rest in which the body is allowed to recover.

Chemotherapy regimen: Combinations of anticancer drugs given at a certain dose in a specific sequence according to a strict schedule.

Clinical trial: A research study in which a new treatment is given to patients to determine whether it is safe, more effective or less toxic than current therapies.

Combination Chemotherapy: Several drugs given together to increase response rate of certain tumors.

Complete remission (CR): Term used when all signs of the disease have disappeared after treatment.

CT or CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan: This imaging test provides a series of detailed pictures of inside the body using an X-ray machine linked to a computer.

Cure: There are no signs or symptoms of lymphoma, and a significant period of time (usually defined by years) has passed during which there are no relapses.

Decreased blood cell production: A decrease in the production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets that may occur as a side effect of cancer or cancer therapies. Also called myelosuppression.

Diaphragm: The muscle below the lungs and heart that separates the abdomen from the chest.

Disease progression: The term used if the disease worsens despite treatment (also called treatment failure).

DNA: Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, an essential component of genes.

Dose intensity: A term used to describe giving the highest possible doses of drugs over a specific period of time with acceptable side effects.

Durable remission: When a complete response lasts for years.

Dysgeusia: When familiar foods taste differently.

Echocardiogram: Use of ultrasound to examine the heart. It is ordered when potential cardiotoxic chemotherapy is used.

Etiology: The study of the causes of a disease.

Extranodal disease: NHL that has spread outside the lymphatic system.

Fatigue: A decreased capacity for activity that is often accompanied by feelings of weariness, sleepiness or irritability.

Gallium (radioisotope) scan: When injected into the body, radioactive gallium is a chemical that collects in some tumors. The body is then scanned to see whether the gallium has collected in a tumor.

Generalized disease: A cancer that has spread throughout the body.

Genes: The basic building blocks of heredity that are present in all cells. Genes are comprised of DNA and other materials.

Gene therapy: Therapy approaches that alter the genetic structure of tumor cells, making them more susceptible to either the immune system or chemotherapy drugs.

Grade: A method of classifying a tumor on the basis of how aggressively it is growing.

Graft versus host disease (GVHD): Occurs when a donor’s bone marrow (graft) recognizes the recipient of the marrow (the host) as foreign. In response, the immune cells in the donor marrow attack the foreign cells in the host.

Harvesting: A procedure in which stem cells are obtained from the blood or bone marrow for use in repopulating the body’s cells after high-dose chemotherapy.

Hematologist: A physician who specializes in treating diseases of the blood and blood-forming tissues.

Histology: The study of tissue characteristics that may lead to identifying a specific type of tumor.

Hodgkin lymphoma: One of the two major types of lymphoma that begin in the lymph nodes and tissues of the lymphatic system. All other lymphomas are classified as non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Hodgkin lymphoma has a characteristic cell, the Reed-Sternberg cell, seen by the pathologist under the microscope when looking at the tissue from the biopsy.

Hypogeusia: When the flavors of foods are not as strong as normal.

Hypothyroidism: A condition in which there is lower than normal production of thyroid hormone. Low thyroid levels can lead to a variety of effects, including mild weight gain, dry skin, fatigue and sleepiness.

Idiotype: A unique “fingerprint” portion of an antibody present on the surface of B-cells.

Idiotype vaccine: A lymphoma vaccine that is custom-made to attack
an individual patient’s lymphoma and contains idiotype (unique) tumor material and an immune stimulant.

Immune system: One of the body’s defense mechanisms. All lymphomas are diseases of the immune system.

Immunological tests: Blood tests that detect the presence of diagnostic proteins or antigens on a tumor.

Immunotherapy: See biologic therapy.

Improvement: This term is used if a tumor shrinks following therapy but is still more than one-half of its original size.

Indolent lymphoma: Lymphoma that is slow growing and has few symptoms. Also called low-grade lymphoma.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): An enzyme found in the blood. Higher levels of LDH suggest that the lymphoma may be more aggressive.

Laparoscopy: Passing a tube through the abdominal wall to obtain a small sample of tissue for examination under the microscope.

Leukemia: Disease generally characterized by the overproduction of abnormal or immature white blood cells that circulate or are present in the blood.

Leukopenia: A shortage of white blood cells, resulting in the inability to fight infecting organisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Localized disease: A cancer that is only present in a limited part of the body, for example, the neck or armpits.

Local therapy: A therapy that only affects a small area.

Low-grade lymphoma: Lymphoma that grows slowly and has few symptoms. Also called indolent lymphoma.

Lymph: The watery fluid in the lymph system that contains white blood cells (lymphocytes).

Lymph nodes: Small bean-shaped glands located in the small vessels of the lymphatic system. There are thousands of lymph nodes located throughout the body, with clusters of them in the neck, under the arms, the chest, abdomen and groin. Lymph nodes filter lymph fluid, trapping and destroying potentially harmful bacteria and viruses.

Lymphatic system: The channels, tissues and organs that store and carry lymphocytes that fight infection and other diseases.

Lymphocyte: A type of white blood cell. Lymphocytes, carried along by the lymph fluid, are part of the immune system and fight infection.

Lymphoma: A malignant disease that begins in the lymph nodes, organs and tissues of the lymphatic system (immune system). Hodgkin lymphoma is one type of lymphoma; the other major type is called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. There are approximately 61 types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Malignant: Cancerous—a malignant tumor is a cancerous tumor.

Medical oncologist: A physician who specializes in the use of chemotherapy, hormone therapy and many other types of biologic therapies to treat cancer.

Memory cells: Memory cells are types of B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes. After a foreign invader or unwanted cell has been destroyed, surviving B- and T-lymphocytes develop into specialized memory cells that remain on watch and can provide protection if the invader is encountered in the future.

Metastasize: To spread to other organs of the body. Cancer may spread from its primary site to other sites or organs.

Monoclonal antibodies: Biologic therapies that act specifically against a particular antigen. Scientists can produce large amounts of antibody that can be directed to a single target (or antigen) on the cell’s surface. Monoclonal antibodies have been developed to help combat specific cancers, including some forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): MRI uses magnets and radio frequency waves to produce images of inside the body. MRIs can provide information about tissues and organs that is not available from other imaging techniques.

Mucositis: Inflammation of the lining of tissues and organs. In the mouth, it is characterized by sores or inflammation.

Myelosuppresion: A reduction in the bone marrow’s ability to make red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Neutropenia: An abnormally low level of neutrophils (the white blood cells responsible for fighting bacterial infections).

Neutrophils: The primary type of white blood cells found in the blood that fight bacteria, etc.

Non-bulky tumor: A small tumor, usually less than five centimeters (approximately two inches)

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL): A group of several closely related cancers that arise from the lymphatic system. Although the different types of NHL have some things in common, they differ in what the cancer cell looks like under a microscope, how the cells grow and how the tumor affects the body.

Oncologist: A physician who specializes in treating cancer. Some specialize in chemotherapy (medical oncologists), radiotherapy (radiation oncologists) or surgery (surgical oncologists).

Palliation: Treatment that is given to remove or relieve symptoms.

Para-aortic: The area close to the aorta. The aorta is the largest vessel in the body and rises from the heart.

Partial remission (PR): The term used when a cancer has shrunk in size by at least half but has not totally disappeared. The cancer can still be detected, and other treatments may be recommended.

Pathologist: A physician who specializes in studying disease through microscopic evaluation of body tissues and organs. Any tissue suspected of being cancerous must first be examined by a pathologist to confirm the diagnosis.

PCR (Polymerase chain reaction): A molecular test that can identify small amounts of genetic material. This test is done if looking for minimal residual disease.

Performance status: A term used to describe a person’s ability to follow a typical lifestyle.

Peripheral neuropathy: Damage to the nerves. This condition can be caused by some drugs and is usually characterized by tingling and weakness or numbness in the extremities.

PET (positron emission tomography) scan: A type of test that may be used instead of gallium scans to identify areas in the body that are affected by non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This test evaluates metabolic activity in different parts of the body using a radioisotope.

Plasma cell: A mature B-cell that makes antibodies—these antibodies help the body destroy or remove toxins, bacteria and some cancer cells.

Primary therapy: The first therapy given after a diagnosis of cancer.

Prognosis: The likely outcome of a disease, including the chance of recovery.

Pulmonary function test: A procedure for determining the capacity of the lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide efficiently.

Radiation field: The part of the body that receives radiation therapy.

Radiation oncologist: A physician who specializes in treating cancer with radiation.

Radiation therapy: The use of radiation beams (X-rays) to treat a cancer. High doses of high-energy radiation beams carefully focused on a tumor will kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy (with or without chemotherapy) is used to treat certain lymphomas.

Radioimmunotherapy: A therapy that is prepared by attaching a radioactive isotope to a monoclonal antibody.

Radionuclide tests: Tests that use radioactive substances to help evaluate the function of tissues.

Refractory disease: A cancer that is resistant to treatment.

Regimen: A specific combination of drugs (chemotherapy), their doses and their schedules of administration. A regimen may also include radiotherapy.

Relapse: The return of cancer after treatment. Lymphoma may recur in the area where it first started, or it may occur in another place.

Remission: The absence of disease. A patient is considered in remission when the lymphoma has been treated and tumors have diminished by at least 50 percent (partial) or have totally disappeared (complete). Remission does not necessarily mean cure. Patients with intermediate or aggressive lymphomas must achieve a complete remission and maintain it for a period of time, usually five or more years, before there is consideration of cure. Patients with low-grade tumors are usually not considered cured because the disease can reappear even with a long remission of many years. Patients may have a complete or partial remission.

Risk factors: Factors that may increase the chance that a person will develop NHL. It is important to note that most people with risk factors never develop lymphoma, and many who are diagnosed have no identifiable risk factors.

Salvage therapy: Therapy that is given if the primary therapy is not successful or if the disease disappears and then comes back.

Spleen: An organ on the left side of the upper abdomen, near the stomach. A key component of the lymphatic system, the spleen produces and stores lymphocytes and releases them when required as part of the body’s response to infections and other stimuli. The spleen may store blood and remove old blood cells from circulation.

Stable disease: The disease does not get better or worse following therapy.

Stage: The extent of cancer in the body, including whether the disease has spread from the original site to other body parts.

Standard therapy: The most widely used primary therapy.

Synergism: The term used when two or more drugs given together provide a better anti-cancer effect than expected from the additive effects from the medications alone.

Systemic symptoms: Symptoms that affect the entire body. Examples of these include fever, night sweats and weight loss.

Thrombocytopenia: A shortage of platelets in the blood, which reduces the ability of the blood to clot.

Thymus gland: A gland located behind the sternum (breastbone)
that enhances the reproduction and development of lymphocytes. T-lymphocytes are processed in the thymus.

Toxicities: The unwanted side effects of cancer therapies, such as a decrease in blood cells, nausea and vomiting, and hair loss.

Tumor: An abnormal mass or swelling of tissue. Tumors may occur anywhere in the body. A tumor may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Vaccine: A substance or group of substances meant to cause the immune system to respond. A vaccine can help the body recognize and destroy cancer cells. Lymphoma vaccines often combine cancer antigens with
a substance to stimulate the patient’s own natural defenses to fight the disease. These vaccines in lymphoma are custom-made for each patient, using a sample of tumor obtained from the patient’s lymph nodes.

VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor): One of a number of substances that stimulate angiogenesis, blood vessel formation—a process necessary for tumor growth.

Watchful waiting: An approach in which no immediate medical, surgical or radiation therapy is given. Patients are followed closely to make sure the cancer does not progress. Watchful waiting is an appropriate option for some patients with indolent (slow-growing) non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Xerostomia: A temporary reduction in the production of saliva or “dry mouth.”

X-ray: Radiation that is used in low doses to provide images of the inside of the body and in high doses to treat cancer.