Resources

Glossary of Terms

J - L

J

Jaundice: A yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Most likely cause is something wrong with the liver or gall bladder.

Kiel Classification: A classification system introduced in 1974 for differentiating types of NHL. Popular in Europe. Newer classifications such as the Revised European American Lymphoma Classification (REAL) system are more commonly used today.

Ki-1 lymphoma: See anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).

Kytril: (generic drug name Granisetron): An antiemetic (nausea suppression) drug commonly prescribed for chemotherapy induced nausea.

L

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): An enzyme found in the blood that indicates damage to cells. If elevated, it may indicate a more aggressive form of NHL.

Lacteals: Small lymphatic vessels found in the digestive tract. They collect digested fat from the intestines and transport it to the circulatory system.

Lethal midline granuloma: See nasal T-cell lymphoma.

Leukemia: A cancer of white blood cells. In leukemia, the cancerous cells are in the blood, whereas in lymphoma the cancerous cells (lymphocytes) are primarily found outside the bloodstream (in lymph nodes).

Leukocyte: A white blood cell (WBC). There are three main types of leukocytes: monocytes, granulocytes and lymphocytes.

Leukopenia: A low level of white blood cells. Since white blood cells are the main cells of the immune system, low levels leave a person at increase risk of infection.

Localized disease: A cancer that is contained in a certain area of the body and has not spread throughout the body.

Local therapy: Treatment that only affects a small area of the body.

Low grade: A slow-growing grade of NHL denoting usually low growth. NHL types that are low grade (indolent) are small lymphocytic, small cleaved cell follicular, mixed follicular, small cleaved cell diffuse, intermediately differentiated diffuse and cutaneous T-cell (mycosis fungoides).

Lumbar puncture: Also called a spinal tap. Involves the removal of the fluid in the spine for examination.

Lymphadenopathy: Swelling or enlargement of the lymph nodes due to infection or cancer.

Lymphatics: Lymphatic vessels and channels that carry lymphatic fluid and lymphocytes throughout the body.

Lymph (lymphatic fluid): The watery fluid contained in lymphatic vessels. Lymph circulates lymphocytes throughout the lymphatic system.

Lymph node biopsy: Usually the first step in the diagnosis of NHL. Either a section or the entire lymph node is removed (by a surgeon) for examination under a microscope. A lymph node biopsy is an effective method of determining whether a lymph node is malignant (cancerous) or benign.

Lymph nodes: Small, bean-shaped organs that contain lymphocytes. Lymph nodes filter the lymphatic fluid and remove any foreign invaders. There are over 100 lymph nodes throughout the body located in clusters in the lymphatic system. The major lymph node clusters are found in the neck, under the arms, and in the chest, abdomen and groin.

Lymphangiogram: An x-ray of the lymphatic system. A contrast agent (dye) is injected (usually between the toes) to outline the lymphatic vessels and organs. Often not performed in favour of a CT scan.

Lymphatic system: The network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes and other organs that transport lymphocytes throughout the body to fight infection and disease.

Lymphedema: The swelling of the arms and or legs that may result from the blockage or removal of lymph nodes. Not indicative of lymphoma.

Lymphoblast: An immature lymphocyte (B-cell or T-cell).

Lymphoblastic lymphoma: A very aggressive NHL often occurring in younger patients. Intensive combination chemotherapy is standard treatment.

Lymphocytes: A type of white blood cell that fights infection and disease and is found in the bloodstream, the lymphatic system, and lymphoid organs. The two main types of lymphocytes are B-cells (bone marrow derived lymphocytes) and T-cells (thymus derived lymphocytes or thymocytes). The two cell types combine forces to regulate the immune response.

Lymphoid: Pertaining to lymphocytes or the lymphatic system.

Lymphoma: A subset of cancers that begin in the lymph system. Lymphomas are broken down into two categories—Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. The word for lymphoma is in different languages: Lymphom (German), lymphom (Danish), linfoma (Spanish, Portuguese and Italian), lymphome (French), lymfoom (Dutch).

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis: A B-cell lymphoma that is now called pulmonary angiocentric B-cell lymphoma.

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP): A non-cancerous skin disorder that can progress to Hodgkin’s lymphoma or forms of NHL. Skin lesions come and go. The drug methotrexate is sometimes prescribed to speed the healing process and prevent new lesions. The prevalence rate is estimated at 1.2 to 1.9 cases per million population. It does not appear to be familial.

Lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma: An indolent NHL.

top