Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

the number of neutrophils present in a white blood cell count.

Acute

a condition with a rapid onset and generally a short course.

Administer

to give a solution or medication either by mouth or through a tube.

Air embolism

the blockage of a blood vessel due to air.

Allogeneic bone marrow

bone marrow that comes from someone other than yourself who is specially matched.

Anemia

a condition where there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells, resulting in fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin and a faster heart rate.

Antibiotic

a drug used to fight bacterial infections.

Antibdy

a protein produced in the body and in response to a foreign substance; fights the invading organism.

Anti-emetic

a drug used to control nausea and vomiting.

Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG)

an agent given to destroy T-lymphocytes for treatment of graft-versus-host disease.

Attention deficit

the inability to focus on one aspect for a period of time.

Autologous bone marrow

bone marrow that comes from yourself, is specially preserved and infused back to yourself at a later time.

Bacteria

an organism which, if it gets into the body, may cause disease.

Band neutrophil

an immature neutrophil (white blood cell).

Bifurcation

division of two branches.

Blast cells

an immature stage in cellular development before appearance of the definitive characteristics of the cell.

Blast crisis

an excessive number of blast cells being produced.

Blood pressure

the measure of the pumping action of the heart reflected in the pressure of the blood on the walls of blood vessels.

Bone marrow

spongy tissue found in the center of bones, that produces all the body's blood cells.

Bone marrow aspirate

the procedure of removing a sample of bone marrow, usually from the rear hip bone, for examination under a microscope.

Bone marrow harvest

the procedure of collecting marrow from the center of the bones. This is usually done in the hip bones, using a needle and syringe.

Catheter

a small, flexible plastic tube inserted into a portion of the body to administer or remove fluids.

Central line or central venous catheter

a small flexible plastic tube inserted into a large vein near the heart, through which blood samples are drawn and drugs, fluids, and blood products are administered.

Central venous nutrition (CVN)

intravenous feeding that provides patients with all essential nutrients when they're unable to eat enough. Often referred to as hyperalimentation or TPN (total parenteral nutrition).

Chemotherapy

a drug or combination of drugs designed to kill abnormal (usually cancer) cells.

Chronic

a condition that persists for a long time.

Cobaltogram

test done prior to radiation to determine size or lung shields used during radiation.

Colony stimulating factor (CSF)

proteins that stimulate the growth and production of certain types of blood cells.

Complete blood count (CBC)

determination of the number of different cells in the blood-white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Conjunctivitis

inflammation of the membranes that line the eye.

Contagious

something that is easily passed from one person to another.

Contaminated

dirty, soiled, or infected by contact with unsterile objects or surfaces.

CT scan

a three dimensional x-ray.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

a virus that usually is not harmful in a healthy individual but may cause problems in persons with low resistance to infections. Persons who have been exposed to the virus are referred to as CMV positive.

Demyelination

loss of the speed of conduction of a nerve.

Diarrhea

frequent or liquid passage of stools.

Diffuse

widely spread, not limited to one area.

Echocardiogram

a test that uses sound waves to measure heart function.

Edema

abnormal accumulation of fluid, such as swollen feet, or build up of fluid in the lungs.

Electrolyte

a substance found in the blood that must be maintained within a certain range to prevent organ malfunction.

EKG

a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.

Engraftment

when the infused bone marrow begins to produce blood cells.

Fibrotic lungs

inflammation and tightening of the air sacs in the lungs.

Foley catheter

a flexible plastic tube placed in the urinary bladder to provide continuous drainage of urine.

Fungus

an organism that may be harmless, but some funguses may cause complications such as pneumonia.

Gastrointestinal tract

consists of the mouth, throat, food pipe, stomach and intestines; where food travels to be absorbed by the body.

Graft rejection

when the bone marrow infused is rejected by the patient's body and does not begin to produce blood cells.

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD)

a condition where the transplanted bone marrow (the graft) sees the recipient's body (the host) as foreign and attacks tissues, usually the skin, liver, or gastrointestinal tract.

Graft-versus-leukemia effect

a condition where the transplanted bone marrow (the graft) destroys the recipient's residual leukemic cells and thus prevents a relapse.

Granulocyte

a granular looking white blood cell (an immature white blood cell).

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)

a protein that stimulates the growth and maturation of granulocytes.

Hematology

the area of medicine that deals with abnormal blood and blood forming tissues.

Hemorrhagic cystitis

bleeding from the urinary bladder.

Hereditary

transmitted from parent to child.

Host

the recipient of the bone marrow infusion.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)

a special marker on white blood cells, composed of proteins that play a critical role in deciding the best donor.

Immune system

the body's defense system that protects the body from diseases and infections and includes the bone marrow, blood, thymus gland, lymph nodes, and spleen.

Immunocompromised

a condition in which the immune system is not functioning normally.

Immunosuppressed

a condition in which the immune system is functioning at a lower than normal level. This condition may be induced by use of medications to prevent GvHD.

Infection

the growth of small organisms in the body that can lead to disease.

Infusion

fluid (such as CVN or antibiotics) flowing into the body.

Intake

fluid or food which is taken into the body.

Intravenous (IV)

entering the bloodstream by way of a catheter directly into a vein.

Irradiated blood products

red blood cells or platelets that have been exposed to radiation to inactivate the lymphocytes, which could potentially cause graft-versus-host disease.

Isolation

separated from other persons.

Leaky capillary syndrome

a condition in which fluid is pulled out of the blood vessels and remains in the surrounding tissue.

Leukemia

a progressive disease of the blood forming organs (bone marrow).

Lipids

IV fats that are given through a central line.

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

the insertion of a needle into the spinal column and withdrawal of fluid to check for infection or leukemic cells. Chemotherapy may also be instilled into the spinal column.

Malignancy

having the tendency to become worse.

Mature neutrophil

a granular white blood cell helpful in fighting infections.

Metabolism

the chemical processes that take place in the body to maintain life.

Metastasize

the transfer of disease from one part of the body to another.

Metamyelocyte

the young form of a mature neutrophil.

Mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC)

a lab test in which patient and donor lymphocytes are studied to determine whether they react. Often used to determine the most suitable donor.

"ml" or "cc"

a unit of measure for medications. One ml is equal to one cc.

Monitor

carefully watch and observe for changes.

Mucositis

inflammation of the mouth cavity, throat, and GI tract due to radiation or chemotherapy which may result in redness, soreness, and open sores.

Myeloblast

a young cell found within the bone marrow but not in the blood.

Neutropenia

a decrease in neutrophil count, leading to a higher risk of developing an infection.

Nervous system

the organ systems composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Nodular

like a small mass of tissue.

NPO

nothing to eat or drink by mouth.

Output

waste, such as urine, that is excreted from the body.

Packed red blood cells (PRBC)

red blood cells collected from a donor in which the plasma is removed, concentrating the red blood cells into a smaller volume for transfusion into a patient.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplant

a type of autologous transplant in which circulating stem cells are collected, preserved, and later infused back into the patient after receiving treatment.

Petechiae

small red spots on the skin that may indicate a low platelet count.

Philadelphia chromosome

an abnormal arm of genetic material that is often present in some leukemias.

Plasma

the fluid- and protein-containing portion of the blood.

Preparative regimen

the chemotherapy and/or radiation given to the patient prior to receiving bone marrow, to kill diseased cells, make space for healthy new marrow, and suppress the immune system.

Prognosis

the probable or likely result.

Proliferation

the reproduction of cells.

Prophylactic

measures taken to prevent the occurrence of something.

Protocol

the plan of treatment.

Purging

the removal of certain types of cells from the bone marrow prior to infusion of the marrow into the patient. In an autologous transplant the marrow may be purged to remove remaining cancer cells. In allogeneic transplant the marrow may be purged to remove cells that cause GvHD.

Radiation therapy

a type of treatment used to destroy the bone marrow that uses radiant energy waves to damage or kill cancer cells.

Reed Sternberg giant cells

giant histiocytic cells with two centers, often seen in Hodgkin's disease.

Relapse

the reoccurrence of disease.

Remission

the state in which no evidence of disease remains.

b

a sudden involuntary contraction of muscles, resulting in jerking motions.

Sepsis

the presence of organisms in the blood.

Side effects

a result of taking a medication or therapy which was not wanted.

Stem cells

immature cells in the bone marrow and blood from which all blood cells are produced.

Sterile

free of any bacteria or other contamination.

Syngeneic bone marrow

bone marrow obtained from an identical twin of the recipient.

T-cell

a type of white blood cell that can distinguish which cells belong in a person's body. T-cells are responsible for GvHD.

Thrombocytopenia

a condition showing an abnormal decrease in the number of platelets.

b

white spots generally seen in the mouth caused by a fungus.

Total body irradiation (TBI)

radiation treatment to the entire body, used to destroy cancer cells and bone marrow cells.

Ultrasound

a test done to visualize internal organs using sound waves.

Veno-occlusive disease

a disease that can occur in the blood vessels that carry blood through the liver causing the liver to become swollen or clogged.

Virus

a small germ that may cause infections in the bone marrow transplant patient.

X-ray

a test done using low doses of radiation to help diagnose a disease process.

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