Lymphomalife.net

Area of the body below the chest and above the groin, containing the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, spleen and other organs

Related glossary links
Chest
Diaphragm

A condition or symptom that begins and worsens quickly

Related glossary links

Chronic

One of the two main grades of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (also known as high-grade or fast-growing)

Related glossary links

Indolent

When healthy cells or tissues are taken from a donor and used to replace a patient's diseased tissues. The donor may be a relative, usually a brother or sister. Another unrelated, but matched, person may also donate tissue

Related glossary links

Autologous transplant

The loss of hair, most obviously from the head. Can be caused by cancer treatments such as some forms of chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Therapies based on a theory of medicine that differs from the classical medical science that is taught in Western medical schools; examples include homoeopathy, acupuncture, the use of herbal medicines, and chiropractic techniques (also called complementary therapy)

A condition that is caused by a lack of sufficient red blood cells, resulting in tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches and irritability

Also known as painkillers, analgesics include drugs such as aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen

A staging system for Hodgkin's lymphoma that was designed at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and, after refinement, was adopted worldwide for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Related glossary links

Stage

External links
An explanation of the Ann Arbor system

A protein produced by the body to help fight infections. Antibodies are created by cells in the body and are designed to recognise and attach directly to ‘foreign' structures within the body. These foreign structures are, usually, not from the body itself or are not normally made by the body. For example, some antibodies can recognise foreign structures that form part of tumour cells.

Related glossary links

Antibody therapy

Antigen

Treatment of a disease using antibodies designed to target disease-causing cells. In cancer treatment, antibody therapy aims to either kill tumour cells without harming other cells or to help the body's own immune system attack a tumour. In NHL, antibody therapies have been designed to seek out and attach to the CD20 antigen, which is most commonly found on lymphoma cells. This then causes the targeted cell to be killed.

Related glossary links

Antibody

Antigen

A medication that aims to reduce sickness (nausea and vomiting)

Structures that are recognised by the immune system, e.g. proteins on the surface of bacteria, viruses or other infectious organisms, as well as on tumour cells or foreign cells such as those from transplanted organs. Antigens can also be chemicals not naturally found in the body.

Related glossary links

Antibody

A procedure in which a patient's healthy cells are taken from them prior to treatment e.g. high-dose chemotherapy for treatment of lymphoma. These cells are then given back to the patient after their treatment in orde to re-grow their bone marrow.

Related glossary links

Bone marrow

Stem cells

A large group of organisms that consist of just one cell. Bacteria can be seen only under a microscope. Many bacteria are capable of causing disease in humans

A type of white blood cell involved in fighting disease. One of the two main types of lymphocytes, B cells (or B lymphocytes) are involved in producing antibodies in response to antigens. Most non-Hodgkin's lymphomas involve the B cells

Related glossary links

T cell
 

A test that involves removing a small amount of tissue or a few cells for examination under a microscope

A sample of cells that has been removed from the body during a biopsy to see if disease is present

Any one of the three main cell types found in the blood - white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

Routine test used to determine the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets in a person's blood. The blood count can help doctors to work out whether a patient can safely have treatment or monitor response to treatment.

The soft tissue found in the middle of bones, where blood cells are made and where they mature before entering the bloodstream.

The soft tissue found in the middle of bones, where blood cells are made and where they mature before entering the bloodstream.

The removal of a sample of bone marrow, usually from the hip bone, using a needle.

Procedure in which healthy cells are taken from the bone marrow and transplanted into the patient after high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been used to destroy the patient's bone marrow. The cells restore the destroyed marrow.

Related glossary links

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBST, PBSCT)
 

Three symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that are used to work out the stage of the disease. B symptoms include fevers, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. There are no A symptoms or C symptoms.

A highly aggressive type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that most often occurs in young people.

A thin, flexible tube that is inserted into the body to allow fluids to be put into, or removed, from the body.

The building blocks of all organs and tissues, including the heart, lungs, blood and skin. Cells contain the genetic code (DNA), which codes for all the different proteins in the body

A special form of catheter that is inserted into a large vein, such as in the top of the chest, and remains there for days or a few weeks to allow doctors to give treatments and take samples without having to keep injecting patients

Chemotherapy literally means 'treatment with drugs', but is used mainly to mean treatment with anti-cancer or 'cytotoxic' drugs. The aim of chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is to damage and kill the growing lymphoma cells throughout the body

Area of the body above the diaphragm and below the neck, containing the lungs, heart and other organs

Related glossary links

Abdomen

A disease or condition that lasts for, or progresses over, a long period of time

Related glossary links

Acute
 

To do with the examination and treatment of patients

A nurse who has specialised in one particular area of medicine. In a lymphoma clinic, the clinical nurse specialist is likely to be one of the main points of contact for patients

A research study that assesses new ways of preventing, diagnosing or, most often, treating a disease. Within a clinical trial (study) patients' safety and health are the highest priority. Clinical trials for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma often compare a new treatment with a standard therapy.

The use of more than one chemotherapy drug at the same time during a course of treatment to improve the chances of success

When all signs of the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have disappeared and a patient may enter remission or be cured.

Related glossary links
Computed tomography, or CT, scan
 

A type of X-ray scan that produces a number of images taken at different 'layers' of the body to build up a three-dimensional picture

In the treatment of diseases such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cure means there is no sign of the disease in the body and enough time has passed to suggest that the chances of recurrence are extremely small.

A word used to describe chemicals that kill cells, e.g. chemotherapy is cytotoxic.

In the treatment of diseases such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cure means there is no sign of the disease in the body and enough time has passed to suggest that the chances of recurrence are extremely small.

Related glossary links

Abdomen

Chest

A type of lymphoma where the lymph nodes have an abnormal arrangement of cells when viewed under the microscope. Diffuse lymphomas are likely to be aggressive.

When a cancer continues to grow or spread.

Found in the nucleus of cells, DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA consists of long chains of genetic code that is the blueprint for all proteins and, hence, life

Related glossary links

Genes
 

The effectiveness or ability of a treatment to produce the desired beneficial effect

A type of biopsy in which cells are removed from a tissue, such as a swollen lymph node, through a thin needle so that they can be examined under a microscope

A type of indolent lymphoma where abnormal follicles are seen under the microscope. Follicular lymphomas are likely to be slow growing.

Related glossary links

Indolent

A five-factor analysis that helps doctors to work out how well patients with indolent Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma will respond to treatment and the likelihood of relapse.

External links

International Prognostic Index

Stretches of DNA that contain the 'code' for the proteins made by the body. When damaged, genes can cause disease by producing either dysfunctional proteins or proteins in too high or too low quantities

One of the main ways of characterising a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, it allows doctors to classify non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as indolent or aggressive

Related glossary links

Aggressive

Indolent
 

Area of the body below the abdomen and above the legs. It includes the sexual organs and the hips

Related glossary links

Abdomen
 

A doctor who specialises in the study and treatment of diseases of the blood and bone marrow.

Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy given in higher doses than normal that is frequently followed by a bone-marrow or peripheral stem cell transplantation.

Related glossary links

Bone marrow transplant

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBST, PBSCT)

A malignant disease of the lymph nodes that is characterised by painless enlargement of lymphatic tissues and the spleen. Most commonly occurring in people aged between 15 and 35 years, the symptoms include fever, weight loss, anaemia and night sweats. Also known as Hodgkin's disease

Related glossary links

Anaemia

Lymph node

Night sweats

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Spleen
 

The level of activity of the immune system against a disease or foreign object

The system of the body that provides a defence against infection and some other types of disease, including cancer. It consists of cells that react in a general way to foreign substances or organisms that enter the body and of cells that can produce a more specific response to a foreign organism or damaged cell

When the immune system is weakened and unable to fully react to foreign objects and diseases. This can be caused, for example, by organisms that attack the immune system, such as HIV, or drugs like those used after organ transplant or in chemotherapy

The prevention or treatment of disease using agents that may modify the immune system, e.g. monoclonal antibodies.

The number of new cases of a disease reported in a population over a period of time, usually in 1 year. Data on the incidence of cancer are kept by regional and national cancer registries

One of the two main grades of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (also known as low-grade or slow-growing)

Related glossary links

Aggressive
 

An ethical and legal requirement that a patient agrees to a medical procedure only after all of the potential risks and benefits have been explained

Putting a fluid, usually containing a drug, into a vein via a catheter, either by using a pump or by using the force of gravity.

Five factors that help doctors to work out how well a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma will respond to treatment and the likelihood of a relapse.

External links

nternational Prognostic Index
 

Using a syringe or catheter to put a fluid, usually containing a drug, into the veins.

A simple test to measure the amount of an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase in the blood. In non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the test can give doctors an idea how (LDH) active the disease is and how far it has spread in the body.

Cancer of cells in the blood. This includes leucocytes, or white blood cells, and the bone marrow in which they grow and develop

An array of relatively simple blood tests that measures various substances in the blood and gives an idea of how well the liver is functioning

A simple procedure for removing a small amount of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord, usually carried out by inserting a small needle into the lower back

The fluid that flows through the lymphatic vessels, containing lymphocytes, fat and other substances

Related glossary links

Lymphocyte
 

Part of the body's immune system. The system includes the lymphatic vessels (through which lymph flows), the lymph nodes, and some other organs of the body, such as the spleen and thymus.

The vessels though which a fluid called lymph flows

A small, bean-shaped collection of lymphocytes that lies along the course of a lymphatic vessel. Lymph nodes act like a filter, trapping waste products and infectious organisms. They are also incorrectly called lymph glands.

A type of white blood cell involved in fighting infection and disease. There are two types of lymphocytes - B cells and T cells - and both are involved in the body's immune system

Cancer of the cells of the lymphatic system that includes Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Related glossary links

Hodgkin's lymphoma

Lymphatic system

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
 

A way of taking very clear images of tissues in the body using strong magnetic fields. MRI can show a cross-sectional slice of the body (like a CT scan) and lengthwise slices as well. It can show the brain, spinal cord, joints and abdomen clearly. MRI scans usually take around 40 minutes. Some people find them claustrophobic but patients are always in voice contact with the radiographer.

Therapy for patients who are in remission, in which medicine is given over a relatively long period of time, to try and extend the remission for as long as possible.

A growth that is cancer, e.g. a malignant tumour (malignant tumours may spread to other parts of the body).

A type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that affects certain organs, predominantly the stomach, but the salivary glands, thyroid and lungs can also be affected.

A relatively rare but aggressive type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that involves B cells

The average length of time after either diagnosis or treatment at which half of the patients with a particular disease are still alive

An area in the chest that contains the heart, the windpipe, many large blood and lymph vessels and other structures. The mediastinum is located between the lungs and between the breastbone and spine.

When very few cancer cells remain behind in the body after attempts have been made to remove or treat the disease. They are difficult to detect with standard diagnostic equipment

A single pure type of antibody. They can be used in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In this case, the monoclonal antibody is designed to recognise a specific target on the surface of the cancer cells. It then 'locks' onto this protein on the cell surface, causing the cell to be destroyed

Related glossary links

Antibody
 

The number of patients affected by a particular disease, usually calculated per 100,000 people

The number of deaths among people diagnosed with a disease over a period of time

Feeing sick or wanting to vomit. Patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can have nausea when treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which can be relieved using anti-emetics

Excessive sweating during the night. Although they can be caused by other conditions, night sweats are one of the 'B symptoms' in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Related glossary links

B symptoms
 

A cancer of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is one of the two main groups of lymphoma (the other being Hodgkin's lymphoma). There are many forms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the majority of which involve B cells. It is also sometimes referred to as non-hodgkins lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and abbreviated as NHL

Vitamins and minerals that can help the normal functioning of the body. They are usually unnecessary if the patient stays on a well-balanced diet

A doctor who specialises in the study and treatment of cancer

Treatment that aims to reduce a patient's symptoms, rather than to cure the disease they are suffering from

The shrinking, but not complete disappearance, of swollen lymph nodes in response to therapy. Also called partial response

Related glossary links

Lymph node

Remission
 

A person who analyses tissue samples in the laboratory.

A form of transplantation in which the stem cells are collected from the blood after 'mobilisation' from the bone marrow, followed by high-dose chemotherapy and reinfusion of the stored stem cells (also known as the transplant). This procedure has largely replaced bone marrow transplant. PBSCT can be allogeneic or autologous

Related glossary links

Allogeneic transplant

Autologous transplant

Bone marrow transplant

High dose therapy

Infusion
 

A pill or treatment that does not contain any active ingredient. This is given to some patients in clinical trials to allow comparison with other patients taking the study drug, to see if the study drug is effective. Clinical trials in cancer usually do not use a placebo.

The clear, yellowish liquid part of the blood that allows blood cells to move around the body. It contains a large number of proteins, sugar and nutrients.

A type of blood cell that plays a central role in clotting of blood (also called a thrombocyte)

A scan where a small amount of harmless radioactive glucose is injected into your arm. The PET machine can detect the radioactivity as it travels in the blood and lymph around your body. Lymphoma cells absorb large amounts of the glucose, so the PET scan shows where the lymphoma cells are located.

The number of cases of a disease existing in a population at any one time. As with the incidence, data on the prevalence of cancer are kept by regional and national cancer registries

The likely outcome of a disease, based on, among other factors, the symptoms a patient has, how long they have been suffering from a disease and their age

A huge family of molecules that form an important building block of the human body. Antibodies are a form of protein.

Related glossary links

Antibody

DNA

Genes
 

Also known as itching, it can be a symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as well as caused by a variety of other conditions, including allergic reaction to chemotherapy or immunotherapy

The overall enjoyment of life experienced by a patient. Separate from the symptoms that a patient has, it is measured in some clinical trials to assess the impact of the disease, and its treatment, on daily living

An unwanted effect of a drug or medication that occurs in addition to the wanted effect of treating a disease. Examples in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma include hair loss and nausea as a result of chemotherapy

Any evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease detected by a medical professional but not necessarily obvious to a patient. For example, an abnormality seen on an X-ray or clinical examination

An organ that sits in the upper abdomen, on the left-hand side, behind the stomach. It forms part of the immune system

Surgery to remove the spleen. This is occasionally carried out if, for example, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has spread to the spleen from the lymph nodes

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is neither decreasing nor increasing in severity

One of the main ways of characterising a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is a way of describing how many groups of lymph nodes are affected, whether the lymphoma is only in the lymph nodes or whether it is in other organs as well, and whether the lymphoma has crossed the diaphragm. Staging can also be used to describe the presence of certain symptoms, such as B symptoms

Related glossary links

B symptoms

Diaphragm
 

Immature cells most often found in the bone marrow, but also in the blood. Stem cells have the potential to become one of several types of cells, and so can help to regenerate the immune system after disease or chemotherapy.

Drugs that are used to treat severe inflammation. Steroids may often be used with chemotherapy to help treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Steroids may also help prevent nausea or allergic reactions to some drugs.

A group of people who meet on a regular basis to share their experiences of a disease, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Often organised by hospitals or survivors, they help people to come to terms with the impact of a disease on their lives

Other useful pages on Lymphoma Life

List of support groups
 

The percentage of patients who survive for 1 year after having been given a particular treatment for a disease

A sensation or change that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a disease

A systemic disease is one that can affect the whole body. Lymphoma is a systemic disease because white blood cells circulate the body in the lymphatic system, so it is not just the lymph glands that can be affected.

A type of white blood cell involved in fighting infection and disease. T cells are one of the two main types of lymphocyte. Unlike B cells, they directly kill tumour cells and cells infected with a virus

Related glossary links

B cell
 

A stage of disease or condition that results in the patient having a short life expectancy

An organ in the upper part of the chest that forms part of the immune system

The length of time it takes a particular disease to increase in severity, usually after a patient has been treated

Level of harm caused by, in the case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a treatment through its side effects

One complete sequence of a particular therapy, often repeated. For example, a complete course of radiotherapy may involve six cycles

A lump of body tissue that is caused by cells that have reproduced themselves more quickly than they should.

An imaging technique that uses sound waves to detect structures within the body. The findings of the sound waves are translated into a picture. The sound waves are too high for the human ear to hear.

A compound that is designed to cause a specific response by the immune system to a disease or tumourA compound that is designed to cause a specific response by the immune system to a disease or tumour

An approach to disease management in which no active treatment is given but patients are seen regularly in the outpatients' clinic for monitoring.

A type of blood cell also involved in the immune system. Lymphocytes are one form of white blood cell

Related glossary links

Lymphocyte
 

A test that is used to measure the number of white blood cells a patient has in their blood

A test that uses radiation passed through the body to create a picture of the organs and bones inside. Can be used to detect tumours within the body