Acute- having severe symptoms and a short course.

Alkaline phosphatase- an enzyme produced by the liver or bone. An elevated level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood may indicate a liver or bone problem.

ABMT- autologous bone marrow transplant.

Adjuvant therapy- additional drug or other treatment designed to enhance the effectiveness of the primary treatment.

Allogeneic- bone marrow transplant transplant in which bone marrow from a donor, rather than the patient's own marrow, is infused.

Allograft- bone marrow removed from a donor to be used in an allogeneic BMT.

Alopecia- loss of hair.

Anemia- too few red blood cells in the bloodstream, resulting in insufficient oxygen to tissues and organs.

Anaphalaxis- acute allergic reaction shortness of breath, rash, wheezing, hypotension.

Antibiotic- a drug used to fight bacterial infections.

Antibody- a protein produced by the body, in response to a foreign substance, that fights the invading organism.

Antiemetic- a drug used to control nausea and vomiting.

Antigen- a substance that evokes a response from the body's immune system resulting in the production of antibodies or other defensive action by white blood cells.

Apheresis- a painless procedure by which blood is withdrawn from a patient's arm and circulated through a machine that removes certain components and returns the remaining components to the patient. This procedure is used to remove platelets from platelet donors' blood, or stem cells from patients undergoing a peripheral stem cell harvest.

Aplasia- a failure to develop or form. In bone marrow "aplasia," the marrow cavity is empty.

Ascites- accumulation of fluid in the stomach area.

Ataxia- loss of balance.

Autologous- bone marrow transplant transplant in which the patient's own bone marrow, rather than marrow from a donor, is infused during transplant to provide the body with a source of stem cells.

Autograft- bone marrow removed from the patient to be used in an autologous BMT.

Bacteria- microscopic organisms that invade human cells, multiply rapidly, and produce toxins that interfere with normal cell functions.

Baseline test- test which measures an organ's normal level of functioning. Used to determine if any changes in organ function occur following treatment.

Bilirubin- a pigment produced when the liver processes waste products. A high bilirubin level causes yellowing of the skin.

Biopsy- removal of tissue for examination under a microscope, sometimes required to enable the doctor to make a proper diagnosis.

Blast cell- immature cell.

Blast crisis- in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia, the progression of the diseases to an "acute" advanced phase, evidenced by an increased number of immature white blood cells in the circulating blood. Sometimes loosely used to describe a rapid increase in the white blood cell count of any leukemic patient.

Bone marrow- spongy tissue in the cavities of large bones, where the body's blood cells are produced.

Bone marrow aspiration- procedure used to remove a sample of bone marrow, usually from the rear hip bone, for examination under the microscope.

Cardiac- pertaining to the heart.

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

CBC- complete blood count. Determines whether the proper number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are present in the patient's blood.

Central line- see central venous catheter.

Central venous catheter- small, flexible plastic tube inserted into the large vein above the heart, through which drugs and blood products can be given, and blood samples withdrawn painlessly (also called central line; Hickman® catheter).

Chemo-responsive- responds to chemotherapy, e.g., a tumor is chemo-responsive if it shrinks in size following chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy- drug or combination of drugs designed to kill cancerous cells.

Chronic- persisting for a long time.

Clinical trial- a study of the effectiveness of a drug or treatment.

CMV- see cytomegalovirus.

CNS- central nervous system.

Colony stimulating factor- proteins that stimulate the production and growth of certain types of blood cells.

Conditioning- see preparative regimen.

Conjunctivitis- eye inflammation.

Contracture- shortening of muscle, skin and other soft tissue, usually in the limbs. May occur in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Cryopreservation- to preserve by freezing. Bone marrow harvested for an autologous BMT, for example, is cryopreserved.

CSF- see colony stimulating factor.

CT-Scan- also called a CAT-scan or CT-X-ray. A three dimensional x-ray.

Cytomegalovirus- a virus that lies dormant in many persons' bodies and frequently causes infection post-transplant. Patients who have been exposed to and still carry the virus are CMV-positive.

Dermatitis- a skin rash.

Dysplasia- alteration in the size, shape and organization of cells or tissues.

-ectomy- surgical removal.

Edema- abnormal accumulation of fluid, e.g., pulmonary edema refers to a build-up of fluid in the lungs.

EKG- test to determine the pattern of a patient's heartbeat.

Electrolyte- minerals found in the blood such as sodium potassium that must be maintained within a certain range to prevent organ malfunction.

-emia- of the blood; usually refers to a blood disorder, e.g., leukemia or anemia Emesis vomit.

Encephalopathy- abnormal functioning of the brain.

Engraftment- when bone marrow infused during a BMT "takes" or is accepted by the patient, and begins producing blood cells.

Enzyme- a protein that is capable of facilitating a chemical reaction.

Eosinophil- a type of white blood cell that protects against infection.

Febrile- feverish.

Foley catheter- flexible plastic tube inserted into the bladder to provide continuous urinary drainage.

Fungus- a primitive life form that can cause infection in the body. Fungi that sometimes cause post-transplant infections are the Candida and Aspergillus fungi.

Gastritis- inflammation of the stomach.

Gastrointestinal- refers to the stomach and intestines.

G-CSF- granulocyte colony stimulating factor. A protein that stimulates the growth and maturation of granulocytes.

GI- gastrointestinal.

GM-CSF granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor- A protein that stimulates the growth and maturation of a wide variety of white blood cells.

Graft rejection- when donated bone marrow infused during a BMT is rejected by the patient's body or doesn't "take."

Graft-versus-host disease- a condition that can occur following an allogeneic BMT in which some of the donor's bone marrow cells attack the patient's tissues and organs.

Granulocyte- a sub class of white blood cells, so named because of the presence of granules in the cell. These cells protect the body against bacterial infections.

Growth factor- see colony stimulating factor.

GVHD- see graft-versus-host disease.

Hematocrit- the percentage of the blood made up of red blood cells.

Hematology- the study of blood and its disorders.

Hemoglobin- the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues.

Hemorrhage- bleeding.

Hemorrhagic cystitis- bladder ulcers.

Hepat(o)- pertaining to the liver.

Hepatitis- inflammation of the liver.

Hickman® catheter- see central venous line.

HLA- see human leukocyte antigen.

Human leukocyte- antigen a genetic "fingerprint" on white blood cells and platelets, composed of proteins that play a critical role in activating the body's immune system to respond to foreign organisms.

Hyper- excessive,increased.

Hyperalimentation- intravenous feeding that provides patients with all essential nutrients when they're unable to feed themselves. Also called hyperal, TPN or total parenteral nutrition.

Hyperpigmentation- darkening of the skin.

Hypertension- high blood pressure.

Hypo- a deficiency, less than usual.

Hypotension- low blood pressure.

Iliac crest- the hip bone in which a large quantity of bone marrow is concentrated.

Immune system- the body's defense network against infection and foreign particles.

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

Immunoglobulin- an antibody.

Immunosuppression- a condition in which the patients immune system is functioning at a lower than normal level.

Allogeneic- BMT patients are deliberately immunosuppressed to allow the donor's bone marrow to engraft without interference from the patient's immune system.

-itis- inflammation.

Intravenous- through a vein.

Jaundice- yellowing of the skin and eyes. A sign that the liver is not functioning properly.

Karnofsky score- a measure of the patirnt's overall physical health following a BMT, judged by his or her level of activity.

Laminar air flow unit- an air-filtering system used at some transplant facilities to remove particulate matter and fungi from the air.

Leukocyte- white blood cell.

Lymphocyte- a type of white blood cell that helps protect the body against invading organisms by producing antibodies and regulating the immune system response.

Macrophage- a type of white blood cell that assists in the body's fight against bacteria and infection by engulfing and destroying invading organisms.

Malabsorption- failure of intestines to properly absorb oral medications or nutrients from food.

Mentation- thinking.

Metabolite- a by-product of the breakdown of either food or medication by the body.

Metastatic- spread of a disease from the organ or tissue of origin to another part of the body.

Mixed lymphocyte culture- test to determine whether a patient's and donor's white blood cells interact adversely. Often used to determine whether a person would be a suitable bone marrow donor for a particular patient.

MLC- mixed lymphocyte culture.

Monoclonal antibody- antibodies that are all identical, derived from a single "clone." Sometimes used in "purging," a process by which certain cells are removed from bone marrow before infusion into patients.

Monocyte- a type of white blood cell that assists in the fight against bacteria and fungi that invade the body.

Morbidity- sickness; side effects and symptoms of a treatment or disease.

MRI- magnetic resonance imaging. A method of taking pictures of body tissue using magnetic fields and radio waves.

Mucositis- mouth sores.

Neuro- pertaining to the nervous system.

Neutropenia- a deficiency of neutrophils.

Neutrophil- a type of white blood cell that is the body's primary defense against harmful bacteria.

NPO- do not take anything by mouth.

Oncology- the study of cancer.

Oto- pertaining to the ear.

Packed red blood cells- red blood cells collected from one individual that are packed into a small volume for transfusion into a patient.

Palliative- provides relief.

Pancytopenia- a deficiency of all types of blood cells.

-pathy- disease.

-penia- deficiency, e.g., neutropenia means a deficiency of a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil.

Peripheral neuropathy- injury to the nerves that supply sensation to the arms and legs.

Petechiae- small red spots on the skin that usually indicate a low platelet count.

Phlebitis- inflammation of a vein.

-plasia- development,formation

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

Platelets- the smallest cell elements in the blood, needed to control bleeding.

Polycythemia- an increase in the total number of red blood cells in the bloodstream.

Preparative regimen- the chemotherapy and/or radiation given to BMT patients prior to transplant to kill diseased cells and/or make space for healthy new marrow and/or suppress the immune system so graft rejection does not occur.

Prognosis- the predicted or likely outcome.

Prophylactic- preventive measure or medication.

Protocol- the plan of treatment.

Pulmonary- pertaining to the lungs

Purging- process by which certain types of cells are removed from bone marrow prior to infusion into the BMT patient. In autologous BMTs, marrow may be purged to remove lingering cancerous cells. In allogeneic BMTs, donor bone marrow may be purged to remove cells that cause graft-versus-host disease.

RBC- red blood cell.

Red blood cell- cells that pick up oxygen from the lungs and transport it to tissues throughout the body.

Relapse- recurrence of the disease following treatment.

Remission- complete condition in which no cancerous cells can be detected by a microscope, and the patient appears to be disease -free.

Remission- partial generally means that by all methods used to measure the existence of a tumor, there has been at least a 50 percent regression of the disease following treatment.

Renal- pertaining to the kidney.

Sepsis- the presence of organisms in the blood.

SGOT- an enzyme produced by the liver. Elevated levels of SGOT in the blood indicate a liver problem.

SGPT- an enzyme produced by the liver. Elevated levels of SGPT in the blood indicate a liver problem.

Solid tumor- a cancer that originates in organ or tissue other than bone marrow or the lymph system.

Stem cell- "mother" blood cells from which several different types of blood cells evolve. Steroid- in bone marrow transplantation, a drug commonly used in combination with other drugs to prevent and control graft-versus- host disease.

Stomatitis- mouth sores.

Subclavian catheter- see central venous catheter.

Syngeneic bone marrow transplant- transplant in which an identical twin is the bone marrow donor.

T-cell- a type of white blood cell that can distinguish which cells belong in a person's body and which do not.

TBI- total body irradiation.

Thrombocyte- see platelet

Total parenteral nutrition- intravenous feeding that provides patients with all essential nutrients when they're unable to feed themselves. Also called TPN, hyperalimentation or hyperal.

Toxin- poison.

TPN- see total parenteral nutrition.

Trauma- injury.

Tumor- uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in an organ or tissue.

Tumor burden- the size of the tumor or number of abnormal cells in the organ or tissue.

Ultrasound- a technique for taking a picture of internal organs or other structures using sound waves.

Veno-occlusive disease- a disease that sometimes occurs following high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation, in which the blood vessels that carry blood through the liver become swollen and clogged.

Virus- a tiny parasitelike agent that invades organisms, such as human cells, and alters their genetic machinery, turning them into factories for production of more of the virus.

VOD- see veno-occlusive disease.

WBC- white blood cell count.

Whole blood- blood that has not been separated into its various components.

Xerostomia- dryness of the mouth caused by malfunctioning salivary glands.