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Glossary of Terms

M - O

M

MabThera: UK trade name for rituximab (Rituxan^®).

Macrophage: A type of white blood cell that fights inflammation.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A test that uses a magnetic field sensor and computers to create three-dimensional images of the body. It is similar to computerized tomography (CT scan) but uses magnets instead of x-rays.

Maintenance therapy: Extended treatment, usually given after the original treatment has brought the cancer under control. It is done to prevent the disease from relapsing or to keep the cancer in remission.

Malignant: A malignant tumour is a cancerous tumour. Malignant tumours are characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth and they can invade local tissue and spread to distant areas of the body. Benign tumours are not invasive and do not spread.

Marginal zone lymphoma (MALT): Mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue. Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT-type is a certain type of NHL that can affect the lymphatic tissues of the gastrointestinal tract, eye, thyroid, salivary glands, bladder, kidney, lungs, neurological system or skin. Mucosa-associated tissue means tissue that is lined with a moist, mucous-producing layer of cells.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL): An aggressive form of NHL.

Mediastinum: The central area of the upper chest, located behind the breastbone.

Medical oncologist: A doctor who is specially trained to diagnose and treat cancer and who specializes in the use of chemotherapy, biologic therapy and hormone therapy.

Medicare: A US federal medical insurance program for senior citizens and the disabled.

Metastasis: The spread of cancer within the body from the original tumour site to other sites or organs.

Monoclonal antibody therapy: A type of biologic therapy (or immunotherapy) used for cancer treatment. A synthetic antibody is created to target a specific antigen (a protein on the surface of cells). For the treatment of some forms of NHL, monoclonal antibodies target B-cells (the cancerous cell in many NHLs) and facilitate their removal from the body.

Monocytes: A type of leukocyte (white blood cell) that defends the body against bacterial infections. They also ingest aging and degenerating blood cells.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A technique used to obtain three-dimensional images of the body. While similar to a CT scan, an MRI uses magnets instead of x-rays.

Mucositis: Inflammation of the mucous membranes (like the mouth) that causes pain, soreness and/or excessive mucous production.

Mutation (genetic mutation): A permanent change to the normal sequence of a gene, usually caused by external agents such as chemicals or radiation. Genetic mutations may cause certain cancers.

Mycosis fungoides: A type of NHL that first appears on the skin. Also called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Myeloablative chemotherapy: High-dose chemotherapy that destroys the bone marrow. This is performed prior to a bone marrow or stem-cell transplant.

Myelosuppression: A reduction in bone marrow activity resulting in decreased red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

N

Nasal T-cell lymphoma: A subset of angiocentric lymphomas, it is treated with doxorubicin (Adriamycin)-based combination chemotherapy and is managed like diffuse large cell lymphoma.

Nausea: Feeling sick or wanting to vomit, possibly with dizziness or symptoms. Some chemotherapy combinations can cause nausea for up to several days; this can be lessened by taking antiemetic drugs.

Needle biopsy: A sample of tissue is taken with a needle and looked at under a microscope.

Neoplasm: Malignant (cancerous) growth.

Neupogen: See granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

Neurologic(al): Involving the nerves or nervous system.

Neutropenia: A reduction in the number of neutrophils, the white blood cells that fight bacterial infection. This may put a patient at a higher risk of infection.

Neutrophil: A type of white blood cell that fights bacterial infection (also called a granulocyte).

Night sweats: Extreme sweating during sleep at night. Night sweats are considered a B symptom in lymphoma, which may be associated with more aggressive disease.

Non-bulky tumour: A tumour that is small in size.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL): A group of lymphomas characterized by cancerous growth of different types of lymphatic cells, excluding those characterized by Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The lymphomas are broken down into three grades depending on how fast the particular lymphoma develops: low grade, intermediate grade and high grade.

Nuclear medicine physician: A doctor trained in radiation therapy who will decide the individual dose of the radioactive part of treatment for radioimmunoconjugates. The nuclear medicine physician may also serve as the radiation safety officer for the treatment centre.

Nuclear medicine technologist: A specialist who assists the nuclear medicine physician. This person may administer the radioactive part of therapy and perform the imaging procedures.

Null: In a certain type of NHL called anaplastic large cell lymphoma, the cancerous cell can be either a T-cell or a null cell.

O

Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer. There are different types of oncologists who specialize in certain treatments including medical oncologists (specializing in chemotherapy), radiation oncologists (specializing in radiation therapy) and surgical oncologists (specializing in cancer surgery).

Oncology: The branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Oncology nurse: A specialist who will teach about treatment and assist with care.

Oral: Mouth.

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