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Doctors may use unfamiliar words that you don’t understand. Here are some of the most common ones explained (alphabetically).
Hair loss
A reduced number of red blood cells
Drugs that put a person to sleep (general anaesthetic) or that numb a part of the body (local anaesthetic) while they have an operation or procedure
Describes a tumour or growth that is not cancerous but may still be capable of causing problems
A small sample of tissue taken from the body to make a diagnosis
A blood test to check the number of different cells in the blood (sometimes called a full blood count or FBC)
The spongy material in the centre of the large bones of the body, which makes blood cells
To do with the heart
A thin, flexible tube used to give fluid into the body or to drain fluid from the body (for example, a urinary catheter or a central venous catheter)
Fluid produced in the brain that surrounds the brain and spinal cord
Drug treatment that kills cancer cells
Structure in the nucleus of the cell that contains the genes
Any condition existing at birth
The study of chromosomes in cells
The minerals and salts in the body – for example, sodium, potassium and calcium
To do with hormones
Cutting out
A condition caused by abnormal genes (may be inherited)
The study of blood and blood disorders
The substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body
The study of body tissues
A substance made and secreted by a gland and carried in the bloodstream to parts of the body where it has a specific effect on the way the body works
The body’s defence against infection, disease and foreign substances
The study of the body’s immune system, which fights infection
A test to identify particular proteins in the cells to help find out which type of cell has become cancerous
Lowering the body’s ability to fight infection
Into a vein
A clear fluid that’s part of the body’s defence against infection. It’s carried around the body in a network of lymphatic vessels
A type of white blood cell that fights infection
Describes a tumour or growth that is cancerous. If a tumour is malignant it grows uncontrollably and can travel to other parts of the body
Tumours that have spread from the first (primary) tumour into another part of the body. Also known as secondary tumours
The study of germs
Feeling sick
To do with the nerves or nervous system
Low levels of neutrophils
White blood cells that fight infection
The study and treatment of cancer
The study of the eyes
To do with the mouth
To do with the bones
To do with children
Relief of a symptom (for example, pain) rather than cure of the disease
A type of blood cell that helps the blood to clot
The expected outcome of a disease and its treatment
An artificial replacement of something – for example, a bone
To do with the lungs
The use of high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells
Resistant to treatment
The return of a disease after previous treatment
There is no evidence of the disease using the available tests
To do with the kidneys
Early (immature) blood cell from which other blood cells are made
Under the skin
Treatment
Low levels of platelets in the blood
If you don’t understand the words a doctor or nurse uses at any time, don’t feel embarrassed to ask them to explain them to you.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
We worked with The Chilidren's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) to make sure you have the information you need about children's cancer.