Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Liver Function Tests (LFTs): lab tests performed on a blood specimen that gives information about liver function, for example, bilirubin and transaminases.
Low Microbial Diet (LMD)
Low Microbial Diet (LMD): a diet designed to eliminate foods which often contain large numbers of microorganisms/bacteria.
Lymph Node Biopsy
Lymph Node Biopsy: removal of multiple myeloma or part of a lymph node.
Lymphatic Tissue
Lymphatic Tissue: tissue found in the lymph nodes and related organs (spleen, bone marrow, tonsils and thymus) that make up the body’s immune and blood-forming systems.
Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes: these blood cells are the main cells that make up lymphoid tissue, a major part of the immune system, and are found in the lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, tonsils, adenoids, bone marrow, and throughout the digestive and respiratory systems. The two types of lymphocytes are known as B lymphocytes (B cells) and T lymphocytes (T cells).
MDS
MDS: Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
MM
MM: Multiple Myeloma.
MUD (Matched Unrelated Donor Transplant)
MUD (Matched Unrelated Donor Transplant): a transplant in which the donor and recipient are unrelated but have matching HLA types.
Male Hormones
Male Hormones: a synthetic version of the male hormone androgen, which stimulates blood cell production, is being investigated as treatment for patients with mild to moderate aplastic anemia.
Mammogram
Mammogram: x-rays of the breast.
Metastatic
Metastatic: spread of cancer from an organ or tissue of origin to another part of the body.
Mobilization (priming)
Mobilization (priming): the process used to move stem cells from the marrow into the circulating blood. Growth factors , with or without chemotherapy, are used in this process.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Monoclonal Antibodies: using laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells.
Monocytes
Monocytes: these blood cells protect the body against bacteria.
Mucositis
Mucositis: inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes. Transplant patients can experience mucositis in the mouth, throat and esophagus.
NHL
NHL: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Needle Biopsy or Fine-needle Aspiration Biopsy
Needle Biopsy or Fine-needle Aspiration Biopsy: removal of part of a lump. suspicious tissue or fluid using a thin needle.
Neutropenia
Neutropenia: a low number or lack of the neutrophils needed to fight infection.
Non-myeloablative transplant (reduced intensity; mini-allogeneic)
Non-myeloablative transplant (reduced intensity; mini-allogeneic): an Allogeneic stem cell transplant that uses lower doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation. The goal of the therapy is to make room for the donor cells.
Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee Meeting (ODAC)
Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee Meeting (ODAC): This committee formed by the FDA of external experts to advise the FDA in the evaluation of marketed and investigational drugs for use in the treatment of cancer. The Committee is comprised of a core of thirteen voting members from the fields of general oncology, pediatric oncology, hematologic oncology, immunologic oncology, biostatistics and other related professions.
Source: Inex Pharmaceuticals
Oncology
Oncology: the study of cancer.
PET Scan
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography): a scan that takes pictures of the body and shows whether there are unusually high amounts of nutrients being processed; an imaging test to find malignant tumor cells in the body by injecting glucose into the body using a rotating scanner to show where more glucose is being used (malignant tumor cells take up more sugar than normal cells).
PICC
PICC: a peripherally inserted central catheter that is inserted into a large vein in the arm. This catheter can be placed at the bedside by a trained nurse or in radiology by a physician.
Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC)
Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC): a method of preparing red blood cells for transfusion.
Palliative Therapy
Palliative Therapy: therapies to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Pancytopenia
Pancytopenia: a condition where a patient has fewer white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets than normal.
Patient Controlled Analgesic (PCA)
Patient Controlled Analgesic (PCA): a method of delivering intravenous pain medications with a pump that allows the patient to self-administer the medication when needed.
Performance Score
Performance Score: a method of rating a patient's level of activity or performance status. This score gives an overall estimate of physical health. Performance status is an important factor in determining eligibility for transplant.
Perineum (Perineal Area)
Perineum (Perineal Area): the area between the rectum and the external genitalia. This area is vulnerable to infection during periods of neutropenia .
Peripheral Blood
Peripheral Blood: blood cells found in blood vessels (as opposed to blood cells found in the bone marrow).
Peripheral Stem Cell Transplants
Peripheral Stem Cell Transplants: peripheral stem cells are taken from the blood of a donor and given to the patient. Research is continuing to determine the effectiveness of this treatment for aplastic anemia.
Perirectal
Perirectal: the area around the rectum.
Philadelphia Chromosome
Philadelphia Chromosome: an abnormally short chromosome (number 22), usually referred to as the Ph-chromosome.
Plasmapheresis
Plasmapheresis: treatment removing blood from and vein and separating the blood cells from the blood plasma. The remaining parts of the blood (mostly red blood cells) are returned through another vein, relieving symptoms of myeloma.
Platelet (PLT)
Platelet (PLT): a type of blood cell that helps the blood to clot. The normal range for platelets is between 150,000 - 500,000/mm 3 . An increased risk of serious bleeding occurs when platelets drop below 50,000/mm 3.
Platelets
Platelets: these blood cells plug up holes in blood vessels caused by cuts or bruises.
Pluripotent Stem Cell
Pluripotent Stem Cell: a primitive cell from which all other blood cells originate; also called a stem cell.
Prophylactic
Prophylactic: preventive.
Protocol
Protocol: a standardized plan of treatment and evaluation designed to address a research question.
Psychosocial
Psychosocial: the psychological and social aspects of a person, for example, marital status, age, education, support network, and coping skills.
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): a test used to evaluate the capacity of the lungs by measuring the flow of air into and out of the lungs.