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5-year survival rate
The percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed. Although many of these patients live much longer than 5 years after diagnosis, 5-year rates are used to produce a standard way of discussing prognosis.
Advanced Cancer
A stage of cancer where the disease has spread from the primary site to other parts of the body. When the cancer has spread only to the surrounding areas, it is called locally advanced. If it has spread further by traveling through the bloodstream, it is called metastatic.
Aggressive non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
A group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas that grow rapidly. An example of this type of lymphoma is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
Antibodies
Substances produced by the immune system to find and mark antigens, so that other substances can attack and kill them.
Antigen
Harmful substances, such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, cancer cells, blood or tissues from another person or species, that can cause disease or infection.
Atypical
Not usual or not normal. Atypical cells are abnormal cells. They do not necessarily progress to cancer.
B cells
A type of white blood cell and, specifically, a type of lymphocyte. Many B cells mature into what are called plasma cells that produce antibodies (proteins) necessary to fight off infections. B cells are present in the blood, lymph, and connective tissue. Many types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma involve abnormal B cells.
Benign
Not malignant. A condition that is called benign may mean that the cells are different, but they are not malignant.
Biopsy
A type of test where a doctor removes a tiny bit of tissue from the body and sends it out to a laboratory for a specialist to examine. Biopsies used to test for non-Hodgkin lymphoma include excisional biopsy (where the doctor opens the skin to remove an entire lymph node) or incisional biopsy (where the doctor removes only a part of the lymph node). Another type of biopsy, fine needle aspiration (where a doctor uses a very thin needle to suction out a small amount of tissue from the lymph node) is used on some rare occasions to diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Bone Marrow Biopsy
A needle is used to take samples of the soft tissue found in a person's bone.
Cancer
A term for many diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control.
Chemotherapy
Treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used in addition to surgery or radiation to treat cancer when metastasis is proven or suspected, when the cancer has recurred, or when there is a strong likelihood that the cancer could recur.
Clinical Trial
A research study that tests how well new medical treatments or other interventions work in people. Each study is designed to test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease.
CT Scan
Computed tomography (CT), which is sometimes called a CAT scan, combines X-ray and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images of the body. Unlike an X-ray, which images bones, computed tomography can produce an image that shows everything in that area of the body, such as organs, bones, and blood vessels.
Grade
A grade denotes how aggressive the cancer is; that is, how fast it is likely to grow and spread in the future. A variety of systems are used to grade cancer, but in general, the higher the grade, the more aggressive the cancer.
Lymph Nodes
Bean-shaped organs, found in the underarm, groin, neck, chest and abdomen, that act as filters for the lymph fluid as it circulates through the body. Sometimes referred to as glands.
Lymph System
An integral part of the body's immune defense system, the lymph system includes:
- Lymph fluid - fluid containing lymphocyte cells.
- Lymph vessels - thin tubes that carry lymph fluid throughout the body.
- Lymphocytes - specific white blood cells that fight infections and disease.
- Lymph nodes - bean-shaped organs, found in the underarm, groin, neck, chest and abdomen that act as filters for the lymph fluid as it circulates through the body.
Lymphoid Tissue
Includes the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils and adenoids and the thymus. A tissue in medicine is a broad term that is applied to any group of cells that perform specific functions.
Malignancy
State of being cancerous.
Medical Oncologist
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and biological therapy. A medical oncologist often serves as the main medical caretaker of someone who has cancer and coordinates treatment provided by other specialists.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging. A sophisticated imaging technique that uses radio waves, magnetic fields, and computer analysis to produce detailed cross-sectional pictures ("slices") of internal organs and body parts.
Oncologist
A doctor specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Medical oncologists specialize in the use of chemotherapy and other drugs to treat cancer. Radiation oncologists specialize in the use of radiation to kill tumors. Surgical oncologists specialize in performing operations to treat cancer.
PET Scan
Positron emission tomography. A highly specialized imaging technique that uses short-lived radioactive substances to produce three-dimensional colored images of those substances functioning within the body. PET scanning provides information about the body's chemistry not available through other procedures. Unlike CT (computerized tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), techniques that look at anatomy or body form, PET studies metabolic activity or body function. PET has been used primarily in cardiology, neurology, and oncology.
Prognosis
The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery.
Radiation Oncologist
A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.
Radiation Therapy
The use of high-energy radiation from X-rays, neutrons and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Recurrence
The return of cancer, at the same site of origin (primary) or in another location, after it had disappeared.
Refractory
Not yielding (at least not yielding readily) to treatment.
Remission
Disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer. A remission may be temporary or permanent.
Risk Factor
A habit, trait, condition or genetic alteration that increases a person's chance of developing a disease.
Spinal Tap
Also known as a lumbar puncture or "LP", a spinal tap is a procedure whereby spinal fluid is removed from the spinal canal for the purpose of diagnostic testing.
Stage
The extent of a cancer within the body, including whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
Staging
Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
Stem Cells
Very early blood cells. Red cells, white cells and platelets can all develop from them.
Systemic
Affecting the entire body.
T cells
A type of white blood cell that is of key importance to the immune system and is at the core of adaptive immunity, the system that tailors the body's immune response to specific pathogens. The T cells are like soldiers who search out and destroy the targeted invaders.
Tumor
An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division. Tumors perform no useful body function. They may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Ultrasound
An imaging method in which high-frequency sound waves are used to outline a part of the body. High-frequency waves are transmitted through the area of the body being studied. The sound wave echoes are picked up and displayed on a computer screen.
Watchful Waiting
Doing very little actual treatment, but monitoring the cancer closely and carefully. It is appropriate for older patients with less life expectancy, people who have other serious medical problems that lower their life expectancy, and individuals with cancer that appears to be growing slowly. One might also choose this approach if the risks and possible side effects of other treatments seem to outweigh their benefits.
X-ray
High-energy radiation used in low doses to diagnose diseases.
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