|
abdomen (ab-do-men) |
| The part of your body between the chest and the pelvis containing the stomach (with the lower part of the esophagus), small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and bladder. |
|
ablative therapy (ab-lay-tive ) |
| Treatment that removes or destroys the function of an organ or system. For example, high dose chemotherapy and radiation before a bone marrow transplant is considered ablative therapy because it wipes out your immune system. |
|
absolute neutrophil count (ANC) |
| The percentage of polys and bands that are part of your total white blood count. If your ANC is less than 1,000, you are more prone to infection. |
|
adjuvant therapy (add-joo-vunt) |
| Treatment used in addition to your main treatment. It usually refers to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy added after surgery to increase the chances of curing your disease or keeping it in check. |
|
afebrile |
| Having no fever, normal temperature. |
|
alkaline |
| Any substance that can neutralize acids. Alkaline urine is needed to neutralize uric acid, the product of tumor cell breakdown that can be harmful to your kidneys. |
|
alopecia (al-o-pee-shuh) |
| Hair loss. This often occurs as a result of chemotherapy or from radiation therapy to the head. In most cases, the hair grows back after treatment ends. |
|
alternative therapy |
| Non-conventional treatment that may not be medically proven. Some alternative therapies may have dangerous or even life-threatening side effects. With others, the main danger is that you may lose the opportunity to benefit from conventional therapy. It is recommended that you discuss the use of alternative therapies with your health care team. See also complementary therapy. |
|
ambulatory |
| The ability to walk; not confined to bed. |
|
amputation |
| The surgical removal of a diseased body part. |
|
analgesic |
| A drug used for reducing pain. |
|
anaphylaxis |
| An allergic reaction ranging from relatively mild (hives) to very serious (shock). |
|
anemia (uh-neem-ee-uh) |
| Low red blood cell count which can cause you to feel fatigued and have shortness of breath. Anemia can be caused by a variety of conditions and diseases. |
|
anesthesiologist (an-es-the-zee-ol-o-jist) |
| A doctor who specializes in giving medicines or other agents that prevent or relieve pain, especially during surgery. |
|
anorexia |
| The lack of desire for food; no appetite. |
|
anterior |
| Located in the front, opposite the posterior. |
|
antibiotic |
| Drug used to kill organisms that cause disease. Since some cancer treatments can reduce your body's ability to fight infection, antibiotics may be used to treat or prevent (prophylactic) these infections. |
|
antibody |
| A protein produced by immune system cells and released into the blood. Antibodies defend against foreign agents, such as bacteria. These agents contain certain substances called antigens. Each antibody works against a specific antigen. |
|
anticoagulant |
| Drug that reduces the blood's ability to clot. |
|
antiemetic (an-ti-eh-MEH-tik) (anti-nausea) |
| A drug that prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting, common side effects of chemotherapy. |
|
antifungal |
| A medicine that kills fungi, organisms that cause infections. Kids undergoing treatment for cancer are especially vulnerable to fungal infections. |
|
antigen (an-tuh-jen) |
| A substance that causes your body's immune system to react. This reaction often involves production of antibodies. For example, your immune system's response to antigens that are part of bacteria and viruses helps you resist infections. Cancer cells have certain antigens that can be found by laboratory tests. They are important in cancer diagnosis and in watching response to treatment. |
|
antihistamine |
| A medicine used to relieve the symptoms of allergies like hives, stuffy nose, etc. |
|
antioxidants (an-ti-OX-uh-dents) |
| Compounds that hold back chemical reactions with oxygen (oxidation) and are thought to reduce the risk of some cancers. Examples are vitamins C and E and beta-carotene. |
|
arterial blood gas (A.B.G.) |
| The amount of oxygen in your blood. |
|
artery |
| A vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the tissues. Blood is under pressure in arteries. |
|
aspiration (as-pir-A-shun) |
| To draw out by suction. |
|
audiogram |
| A diagnostic test that is done to evaluate your hearing. |
|
auto syringe |
| A portable pump to administer medications subcutaneously or intravenously over several days. This allows you to be ambulatory. |
|
autologous bone marrow transplant |
| When your own bone marrow is used. |
|
axilla (ax-il-la) |
| Your armpit. |
|
|
Return to top |
|