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Acute

An acute illness or condition is characterised by rapid onset and a short, severe course

Benign

Non-cancerous, used to refer to tumours which grow slowly in one place and which, once removed by surgery, tend not to recur

Biopsy

Examination of a sample of tissue that has been removed from an area of the body where cancer is suspected

Bone marrow

The spongy inner part of large bones where blood cells are made. Bone marrow aspiration is the removal by fine needle of a small amount of bone marrow for examination

Bone marrow transplant

Treatment for cancer (and some other diseases) whereby healthy bone marrow is given via a transfusion

Chemotherapy

The treatment of cancer with chemicals, such as cytotoxic (cancer destroying) drugs

Chronic

Chronic refers to an illness that a person has for a long time or an illness that goes away and keeps coming back.

Intrathecal (IT)

Injection into the fluid around the spinal cord – a method to administer chemotherapy, for particular types of cancer

Intravenous (IV)

Injection into a vein – a method to administer chemotherapy

Lymph (lymphatic fluid)

Body fluid which circulates in the lymphatic system that carries food to cells and takes waste away

Lymph nodes

Small, bean-shaped organs, that make and store white blood cells called lymphocytes. These glands are particularly found in the armpits, neck and groin

Lymphatic system

An extensive drainage system that returns water and proteins from various tissues back to the bloodstream

Lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell, part of the body’s immune system

Malignant tumour

A cancerous tumour that can spread into and destroy other parts of the body

Oncologist

A doctor who specialises in treating cancer

Platelets

A type of blood cell that helps the blood to clot. Platelet levels can drop during a course of chemotherapy

Radiographer

Person who specialises in operating radiotherapy machines

Radiotherapy

The treatment of cancer by using high energy waves similar to x-rays

Red blood cells

Cells in the blood which carry oxygen around the body

Remission

When there is no longer evidence of cancer cells in the body

Spleen

An organ near the stomach that stores blood, removes old blood cells, filters foreign substances from the blood, and produces white blood cells called lymphocytes. Part of the lymphatic system

Subcutaneous (SC)

Under the surface of the skin – subcutaneous injections are a method to administer cancer treatment for some cancers

Surgery

A procedure to remove/cut out tumours; can be done with a scalpel (knife) or lasers

Tumour

A lump or mass of cells which can be either benign or malignant

White blood cells

Cells in the blood which fight infection and produce antibodies