Hemoglobin (Hb): The part of red Leukemia: Cancer of the blood in
blood cells that carries oxygen to the
cells of the body. which the body makes large numbers of
abnormal blood cells.
Hodgkin’s disease: Lymphoma, or Leukemia (acute): A rapidly
cancer, in which the lymph nodes,
spleen, or other lymphatic tissue become
enlarged. Symptoms can include fever,
weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats. progressing cancer in which abnormal
white blood cells stay very immature and
cannot carry out their normal functions.
Leukemia (chronic): A slowly
Hormone: A substance made in several
organs of the body and which the body
uses to control growth, reproduction,
and the way the body works. progressing cancer in which abnormal
white blood cells are more mature and
can carry out some of their normal
functions.
Hospice care: Care and support given Lymphatic system: A network of
by specially trained people to patients
who are in the late stages of their lives.
It may be offered at home or in the
hospital. lymph nodes and vessels by which
infection-fi ghting cells move through
the body. Cancer cells can also use this
network to travel and spread around the
body.
Ileostomy: Surgery in which an
opening is created between the small
intestine and the surface of the abdomen
to allow waste from the small intestine to
empty into a collection bag. Lymphedema: Swelling in the area
Immunity (immune system): The Lymph nodes: Hundreds of small,
body’s defense against disease and
infection. bean-shaped organs (sometimes called
glands) located within specifi c areas of
the body called the lymphatic system.
They act as fi lters to collect and destroy
bacteria. Cancer cells that may be
moving through the lymphatic system
can become trapped in the lymph nodes.
drained by lymph nodes when lymph
nodes have been removed or are
blocked.
Immunosuppression: When the
immune system has been weakened or
damaged and cannot fi ght infection or
disease.
Immunotherapy: A type of cancer
Lymphoma: Cancer of the lymphatic
treatment that stimulates the immune
system or uses antibodies. It is used only
in very specifi c types of cancer, such as
me lanoma. Also called biotherapy.
system.
Malignant: Cancerous. A growth that
tends to invade and destroy nearby
tissues and spread to other parts of the
body.
Infusion: Putting medication or fl uid
into the bloodstream over a period of
time.
Malignant tumor: A tumor made up
of cancer cells (as opposed to a benign
tumor, which is made up of normal
cells).
Lesion: A damaged area in or on the
body caused by an injury or a disease
such as cancer.
40