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BMT Glossary

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Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) - also called “absolute granulocyte count” - amount of white blood cells present in the blood that are able to fight infection.

Allogeneic Transplant - a transplant using a human donor who has bone marrow that is a genetic match to the recipient.

Antibiotics - a group of medicines used to treat infections.

Antibody - a protein that helps the body fight foreign substances (antigens) in the body, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Antigens - a foreign substance that stimulates the formation of antibodies in the body.

Apheresis - a blood-separating procedure in which blood is removed from a patient, sent through a special machine (where cells are separated and some are removed) and the remainder returned to the patient.

Aplastic Anemia - a blood disorder in which the bone marrow is deficient in producing red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Aspiration (of marrow) - the removal of marrow from the cavities in large bones by suction through a needle.

Autologous Transplant - a transplant in which a patient’s own marrow is aspirated, frozen and then returned to the patient at a later date.

Blood Cells - cells formed in the bone marrow that make up blood.

Red Blood Cells - (erythrocytes; RBC) - cells that carry oxygen throughout the body (measured by the hematocrit or HCT).

White Blood Cells - cells that help the body fight foreign substances; neutrophils are the most important type.

Platelets - cells necessary to help form a clot and stop bleeding.

Blood Stem Cell Harvest - a procedure in which stem cells are collected from the circulating blood for use in a transplant.

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Harvest - a procedure in which bone marrow is taken from the pelvic bone (hip area) for use in a transplant.

Bone Marrow Transplant - a process in which a patient’s bone marrow is destroyed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and then replaced by previously harvested bone marrow from a donor or the patient.

Central Line Catheter - semi-permanent intravenous tubing that is inserted into the large blood vessels that enter into the heart.

Chemotherapy - drugs used to treat cancer, either by destroying abnormal (cancer) cells or by slowing their growth.

Complete Blood Count - a blood test that determines the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the blood.

Conditioning - a combination of chemotherapy drugs, and sometimes radiation, given a few days prior to transplant to eliminate cancer cells and destroy the immune system.

Cytomegalovirus - a virus that can cause flu-like symptoms. In patients with decreased immunity, it can cause more severe problems such as inflammation of the lungs, liver and intestines.

DMSO - a preservative used in the freezing of bone marrow and blood stem cells.

Engraftment - growth of transplanted (donor) stem cells in the patient’s (recipient’s) marrow spaces.

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Granulocyte - one of the major groups of white blood cells. Includes three types of cells: neutrophils (segs and bands), eosinophils and basophils.

Graft - the infused or transplanted bone marrow and blood stem cells.

Growth Factor (Colony Stimulating Factor) - an injectable drug used to stimulate the development of blood cells (Neupogen, Filigrastin).

Harvesting - term used for the collection of stem cells from the bone marrow or peripheral blood.

Hematology - a division of medicine that studies and treats diseases of the blood and blood-forming tissues.

  

Herpes Simplex - a virus that can produce small, painful fluid-filled blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. Very common in transplant patients.

Herpes Zoster - a virus that can produce shingles (painful skin eruptions that follow the underlying nerve routes inflamed by the virus).

Hemorrhage - a general term for a large loss of blood brought about by injury to blood vessels or by a lack of necessary cells (platelets) to clot blood.

Host - the patient’s body.

Hyperalimentation - see Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN).

Immunoglobulin - proteins made by the body that attach to infections and tend to decrease their action. They can be given intravenously or orally.

Immunosuppression - a state of decreased immunity or a lowering of the body’s immune response. This can occur after receiving chemotherapy.

Intravenous - within or through a vein.

 

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Leukocytes - a general term for all the types of white blood cells.

Irradiation - high-energy rays used to kill diseased cells before or during transplant.

Lymphocytes - a type of white blood cell. B-lymphocytes make antibodies against bacteria. T-lymphocytes attack virus-infected cells directly.

Lymph Node - a gland in the body that produces lymph (the clear fluid that circulates through the body and contains white blood cells and antibodies).

Lymphoma - cancer of the lymph nodes.

Malignant - cancerous; abnormal growth of cells.

Microbial - minute forms of life such as bacteria, fungi or viruses.

Mucositis - inflammation of the mucous membranes in the lining of the mouth.

Neutropenia - a lack of neutrophils.

Neutrophil - a type of white blood cell that fights bacteria (also called segs and bands).

Oncology - the study and treatment of cancer.

Platelets - blood cells that promote blood clotting.

Petechiae - small red spots under the skin caused by a low platelet count.

Protocol - a precisely timed and organized approach to treatment of disease.

Relapse - the reappearance of a disease after a period of remission.

Remission - the decrease or disappearance of a disease and its symptoms.

 

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Stem Cells - parent or seed cells in the bone marrow or peripheral blood that produce blood cells.

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

Transfusions - the infusion of any product derived from blood cells.

Total Parenteral Nutrition - intravenous feedings consisting of fluids high in calories and essential nutrients.

Titer - a blood test that assesses levels of antibodies against such things as viruses.

 

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