Glossary of Leukemia Terms
A diagnosis of leukemia and the reports involved in making that diagnosis often include complex words and phrases. Find some of the most common terms associated with leukemia and their meanings here.
Genetics
Understanding genetics is essential to understanding leukemia. Find out what it is and where genetic information is located in a cell.
Understanding genetics is essential to understanding leukemia. Find out what it is and where genetic information is located in a cell.
Prognosis
Doctors often refer to a patient's prognosis when discussing disease and possible recovery. Find out what this term means.
Doctors often refer to a patient's prognosis when discussing disease and possible recovery. Find out what this term means.
Acute
An illness or condition whose symptoms and signs progress very quickly, the opposite of chronic.
An illness or condition whose symptoms and signs progress very quickly, the opposite of chronic.
Allogeneic
Allogeneic is a word commonly used to describe a type of bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
Allogeneic is a word commonly used to describe a type of bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
Autologous
Autologous is a term used to decribe a type of stem cell or bone marrow transplant.
Autologous is a term used to decribe a type of stem cell or bone marrow transplant.
Blast
A blood cell that is not fully developed and is still immature.
A blood cell that is not fully developed and is still immature.
B-cell
A B-cell is a type of lymphocyte (a white blood cell) that matures in the bone marrow and produces antibodies, helping the immune system to fight infections.
A B-cell is a type of lymphocyte (a white blood cell) that matures in the bone marrow and produces antibodies, helping the immune system to fight infections.
Chronic
A condition or illness whose symptoms and signs last for a long time.
A condition or illness whose symptoms and signs last for a long time.
Differentiation
Find out what the term "cell differentiation" means.
Find out what the term "cell differentiation" means.
Engraftment
Engraftment is the process that happens to donor marrow or stem cells once they enter the donor recipients body.
Engraftment is the process that happens to donor marrow or stem cells once they enter the donor recipients body.
Graft-versus-host Effect
Graft-versus-host effect, also know as graft-versus host disease, is both a beneficial effect of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant and a potentially life-threatening side effect of the procedure.
Graft-versus-host effect, also know as graft-versus host disease, is both a beneficial effect of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant and a potentially life-threatening side effect of the procedure.
Inversion
Learn the definition of a genetic inversion.
Learn the definition of a genetic inversion.
Leukemia
A type of cancer that starts from a single cell in the bone marrow whose DNA has been damaged, causing the cell to grow and reproduce out of control.
A type of cancer that starts from a single cell in the bone marrow whose DNA has been damaged, causing the cell to grow and reproduce out of control.
Lymphocytic
Having to do with a certain type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte.
Having to do with a certain type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte.
Lymphoid Cell Line
The lymphoid cell line is one of two groups of blood cells produced by the bone marrow. Learn more about the lymphoid cell line.
The lymphoid cell line is one of two groups of blood cells produced by the bone marrow. Learn more about the lymphoid cell line.
Macrophage
A macrophage is a white blood cell from the myeloid cell line that develops from monocytes that have migrated into the bloodstream.
A macrophage is a white blood cell from the myeloid cell line that develops from monocytes that have migrated into the bloodstream.
Megakaryocyte
A megakaryocyte is the largest cell found in the bone marrow.
A megakaryocyte is the largest cell found in the bone marrow.
Mononuclear Leukocute
A mononuclear leukocyte is a white blood cell that has a nucleus that may be indented or horseshoe-shaped, but lacks the deeply lobed appearance of a mononuclear leukocyte. This type of cell also does not have cytoplasm that appears grainy when researchers stain the cell for viewing under a microscope, so it may also be called a "non-granulocyte."
A mononuclear leukocyte is a white blood cell that has a nucleus that may be indented or horseshoe-shaped, but lacks the deeply lobed appearance of a mononuclear leukocyte. This type of cell also does not have cytoplasm that appears grainy when researchers stain the cell for viewing under a microscope, so it may also be called a "non-granulocyte."
Mutation
Genetic mutations can cause leukemia; find out exactly what a mutation is and some things that can cause it.
Genetic mutations can cause leukemia; find out exactly what a mutation is and some things that can cause it.
Myelogenous
Refers to a type of leukemia originating in the bone marrow.
Refers to a type of leukemia originating in the bone marrow.
Myeloid Cell Line
The myeloid cell line is one of two groups of stem cells produced in the bone marrow. Learn more about the myeloid cell line.
The myeloid cell line is one of two groups of stem cells produced in the bone marrow. Learn more about the myeloid cell line.
Natural Killer Cells
Natural Killer (NK) are lymphocytes (white blood cells) that release small packets of destructive enzymes that can kill tumor cells or cells infected with viruses. NK cells are large and have a grainy appearance and are called "natural killer" cells, because they are nonspecifically activated in order to kill virus-infected or cancerous cells.
Natural Killer (NK) are lymphocytes (white blood cells) that release small packets of destructive enzymes that can kill tumor cells or cells infected with viruses. NK cells are large and have a grainy appearance and are called "natural killer" cells, because they are nonspecifically activated in order to kill virus-infected or cancerous cells.
Peripheral Blood Stem Cells
Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC's) are one source of cells for bone marrow transplants.
Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC's) are one source of cells for bone marrow transplants.
Platelet
A blood cell that prevents excessive bleeding by clumping together to form clots.
A blood cell that prevents excessive bleeding by clumping together to form clots.
Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte
A polymorphonuclear leukocyte (or granulocyte) is a type of white blood cell whose nuclei has a lobed appearance. The connections between these lobes are often so slender that the cell appears to have multiple nuclei. Another characteristic feature of this type of cell is the grainy appearance of the cell's cytoplasm under the microscope when stained with a stain called "Wright's stain," thus the other name for this type of white blood cell: "granulocyte."
A polymorphonuclear leukocyte (or granulocyte) is a type of white blood cell whose nuclei has a lobed appearance. The connections between these lobes are often so slender that the cell appears to have multiple nuclei. Another characteristic feature of this type of cell is the grainy appearance of the cell's cytoplasm under the microscope when stained with a stain called "Wright's stain," thus the other name for this type of white blood cell: "granulocyte."
Red Blood Cell
A blood cell that contains hemoglobin and functions as a carrier of oxygen to the muscles.
A blood cell that contains hemoglobin and functions as a carrier of oxygen to the muscles.
Remission
The goal of cancer treatment; a complete or partial elimination of the visible signs and symptoms of cancer.
The goal of cancer treatment; a complete or partial elimination of the visible signs and symptoms of cancer.
Syngeneic
Syngeneic is another term used to describe a type of bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
Syngeneic is another term used to describe a type of bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
T-cell
A T-cell is a type of lymphocyte (a white blood cell)that migrates to the thymus, a gland that is part of the lymphatic system located immediately behind the breastbone in the chest, to fully mature. Learn more about T-cells.
A T-cell is a type of lymphocyte (a white blood cell)that migrates to the thymus, a gland that is part of the lymphatic system located immediately behind the breastbone in the chest, to fully mature. Learn more about T-cells.
T315I Genetic Mutation
The T315I mutation is associated with chronic myeloid leukemia, and blocks the effectiveness of most common CML treatments.
The T315I mutation is associated with chronic myeloid leukemia, and blocks the effectiveness of most common CML treatments.
Translocation
Learn about translocation, a certain type of genetic mutation.
Learn about translocation, a certain type of genetic mutation.
White Blood Cell
A type of blood cell that is produced in the bone marrow and aids the body in fighting infections.
A type of blood cell that is produced in the bone marrow and aids the body in fighting infections.
Childhood Cancers Glossary
Some terms commonly used in describing childhood cancers, including the different types of leukemia.
Some terms commonly used in describing childhood cancers, including the different types of leukemia.