Glossary

Something that prevents or protects. Blood thinners may be given as a prophylactic prophylactic: Something that prevents or protects. Blood thinners may be given as a prophylactic to prevent blood clots in high risk patients. to prevent blood clots in high risk patients.

An action plan that describes what will be done in a clinical trial clinical trial: A type of research study that tests how a drug, medical device, or treatment approach works in people. There are several types of clinical trials. Treatment trials test new treatment options. Diagnostic trials test new ways to diagnose a disease. Screening trials test the best way to detect a… and how it will be carried out. This plan is reviewed and approved by a committee at each place doing the clinical trial. This committee is known as the Institutional Review Board Institutional Review Board: A committee that makes sure a clinical trial is safe for patients in the study. Each medical center, hospital, or research facility doing clinical trials must have an active Institutional Review Board (IRB). Each IRB is made up of a diverse group of doctors, faculty, staff and students at a… .

(PULL-muh-nerr-ee EM-buh-liz-um) A blockage of an artery that carries blood to the lungs. See Embolism.

A condition that occurs when the bone marrow bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. stem cells stem cells: Cells in the body that develop into other cells. There are two main sources of stem cells. Embryonic stem cells come from human embryos and are used in medical research. Adult stem cells in the body repair and maintain the organ or tissue in which they are found. Blood-forming (hemapoietic) stem… do not make red blood cells. Red blood cell Red blood cell: The most numerous type of blood cell in healthy people. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that picks up oxygen in the lungs and brings it to cells in all parts of the body. Also called erythrocyte, RBC. counts are low. White blood cell White blood cell: Cells in the body that fight disease and infection by attacking and killing germs. There are several types of white blood cells including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. Each type of cell fights a different kind of germ. Also called WBC, leukocyte. and platelet platelet: The smallest type of blood cell. Platelets help the blood to clot and stop bleeding. Also called a thrombocyte. counts are normal.

The gene that does not express itself when a dominant gene dominant gene: The gene that always expresses itself over a recessive gene. A person with a dominant gene for a disease has the symptoms of the disease. They can pass the disease on to children. is present. A person with a recessive gene recessive gene: The gene that does not express itself when a dominant gene is present. A person with a recessive gene for a disease does not have the symptoms of the disease, but can pass the disease on to children. If a person inherits a recessive gene for a disease from both parents, they may get the disease. for a disease does not have the symptoms of the disease, but can pass the disease on to children. If a person inherits a recessive gene for a disease from both parents, they may get the disease.

The most numerous type of blood cell in healthy people. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin hemoglobin: A protein in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin picks up oxygen in the lungs and brings it to cells in all parts of the body. , a protein that picks up oxygen in the lungs and brings it to cells in all parts of the body. Also called erythrocyte erythrocyte: (i-RITH-ruh-site) See red blood cell. , RBC.

See erythropoietin erythropoietin: (i-rith-row-POY-uh-tun) A protein made by the kidneys. Erythropoietin, also called EPO, is created in response to low oxygen levels in the body (anemia). EPO causes the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. A shortage of EPO can also cause anemia. -stimulating agent.

A procedure in which packed red blood cells are given to a person through an intravenous (IV) line into the bloodstream. Transfused red blood cells increase the blood count and help improve symptoms of anemia anemia: (uh-NEE-mee-uh) A condition in which there is a shortage of red blood cells in the bloodstream. This causes a low red blood cell count. Symptoms of anemia are fatigue and tiredness. . Before transfused blood is given, donated blood is typed and crossmatched to the recipients blood. Also called RBC transfusion.

A procedure similar to standard bone marrow transplant bone marrow transplant: A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is also called a stem cell transplant (SCT) or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).The procedure replaces unhealthy blood-forming stem cells with healthy ones and offers some patients the possibility of a cure. But for many patients, a BMT is not an option due… . The mini transplant uses a mild form of chemotherapy chemotherapy: (kee-moe-THER-uh-pee) The use of medicines that kill cells (cytotoxic agents). People with high-risk or intermediate-2 risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) may be given chemotherapy to kill bone marrow cells that have an abnormal size, shape, or look. Chemotherapy hurts healthy cells along with… pre-treatment. This reduces side effects caused by chemotherapy, making it more tolerable to older adults. It does not reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease. Also called nonmyeloablative transplant.

Not responsive to treatment or cure. For example, refractory refractory: Not responsive to treatment or cure. For example, refractory anemia is a low red blood cell count that doesn't respond to standard treatments. anemia anemia: (uh-NEE-mee-uh) A condition in which there is a shortage of red blood cells in the bloodstream. This causes a low red blood cell count. Symptoms of anemia are fatigue and tiredness. is a low red blood cell red blood cell: The most numerous type of blood cell in healthy people. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that picks up oxygen in the lungs and brings it to cells in all parts of the body. Also called erythrocyte, RBC. count that doesn't respond to standard treatments.

An immature red blood cell red blood cell: The most numerous type of blood cell in healthy people. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that picks up oxygen in the lungs and brings it to cells in all parts of the body. Also called erythrocyte, RBC. . Reticulocytes are normally found in the bone marrow bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. . They are present in the bloodstream only in very low numbers.

Genes that give instructions for making ribosomal proteins (r-proteins). These proteins are components of cellular structures called ribosomes, which process the cell's genetic instructions to create proteins. Diamond Blackfan anemia anemia: (uh-NEE-mee-uh) A condition in which there is a shortage of red blood cells in the bloodstream. This causes a low red blood cell count. Symptoms of anemia are fatigue and tiredness. is an inherited form of bone marrow failure bone marrow failure: A condition that occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough healthy blood cells. The most common of these rare diseases are aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Bone marrow failure can be acquired (begin any time in life) or can be… disease that is caused by mutations in the ribosomal protein genes.

(SID-uh-ruh-blast) A red blood cell red blood cell: The most numerous type of blood cell in healthy people. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that picks up oxygen in the lungs and brings it to cells in all parts of the body. Also called erythrocyte, RBC. that has too much iron. The iron typically forms a ring around the cell's nucleus.

A type of MDS that is caused by a previous treatment foranother another disorder or disease. Treatments typically associated with secondary MDS secondary MDS: A type of MDS that is caused by a previous treatment foranother another disorder or disease. Treatments typically associated with secondary MDS include radiation therapy and chemotherapy used to treat cancer. Also called therapy-related MDS, T-MDS. include radiation therapy and chemotherapy chemotherapy: (kee-moe-THER-uh-pee) The use of medicines that kill cells (cytotoxic agents). People with high-risk or intermediate-2 risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) may be given chemotherapy to kill bone marrow cells that have an abnormal size, shape, or look. Chemotherapy hurts healthy cells along with… used to treat cancer. Also called therapy-related MDS therapy-related MDS: see secondary MDS , T-MDS.

An immune system reaction to foreign proteins in certain medicines. Serum sickness Serum sickness: An immune system reaction to foreign proteins in certain medicines. Serum sickness can be a side effect of ATG, causing fever, rash, joint pain, and muscle aches. can be a side effect of ATG, causing fever, rash, joint pain, and muscle aches.

A rare inherited disease that affects many organs, especially the bone marrow bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. , pancreas, and skeletal system. The bone marrow fails to make one or all of the blood cells - red cells, white cells, and platelets. Schwachman-Diamond syndrome is diagnosed with genetic testing.

A licensed professional trained to help people manage their daily lives, understand and adapt to changes in health and lifestyle. A social worker social worker: A licensed professional trained to help people manage their daily lives, understand and adapt to changes in health and lifestyle. A social worker also will help people find appropriate community resources, healthcare, legal resources, and government assistance. also will help people find appropriate community resources, healthcare, legal resources, and government assistance.

A sudden, tightening or cramping of a muscle or group of muscles. Spasms in the esophagus (i-SOF-uh-gus) can occur with PNH. The esophagus connects the mouth to the stomach.

A procedure where blood-forming (hemapoietic) stem cells stem cells: Cells in the body that develop into other cells. There are two main sources of stem cells. Embryonic stem cells come from human embryos and are used in medical research. Adult stem cells in the body repair and maintain the organ or tissue in which they are found. Blood-forming (hemapoietic) stem… are taken from a healthy donor. They enter the patient's bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) needle and make their way into the bone marrow bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. . The donor cells are called a graft. There are three sources of stem cells - bone marrow, cord blood, and circulating (peripheral) blood.

Cells in the body that develop into other cells. There are two main sources of stem cells stem cells: Cells in the body that develop into other cells. There are two main sources of stem cells. Embryonic stem cells come from human embryos and are used in medical research. Adult stem cells in the body repair and maintain the organ or tissue in which they are found. Blood-forming (hemapoietic) stem… . Embryonic stem cells come from human embryos and are used in medical research. Adult stem cells in the body repair and maintain the organ or tissue in which they are found. Blood-forming (hemapoietic) stem cells are found in the bone marrow bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. . These cells make copies of themselves and develop into red cells, white cells, and platelets.

(sub-kyoo-TAY-nee-uss) A method of giving medicine under the skin using a short needle. Also called a shot.

see dietary supplement dietary supplement: Vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances meant to improve your nutritional intake. Dietary supplements are taken by mouth in the form of a pill, capsule, tablet or liquid.

Care given to improve the quality of life, or comfort, of a person with a chronic illness chronic illness: A medical condition that lasts a long time. A chronic illness can affect a person's lifestyle, ability to work, physical abilities and independence. . Supportive care Supportive care: Care given to improve the quality of life, or comfort, of a person with a chronic illness. Supportive care treats the symptoms rather than the underlying cause of a disease. The goal is to help the patient feel better. Patients with low blood counts may be given blood transfusions as supportive… treats the symptoms rather than the underlying cause of a disease. The goal is to help the patient feel better. Patients with low blood counts may be given blood transfusions blood transfusions: A blood transfusion is a safe and common procedure. Most people who have a bone marrow failure disease like aplastic anemia, MDS or PNH will receive at least one blood transfusion. When you receive a blood transfusion, parts of blood from a donor are put into your bloodstream. This can help some… as supportive care to help manage the symptoms of their disease. Also called palliative care, symptom management.

A program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to collect data on all forms of cancer, including myelodysplastic syndromes myelodysplastic syndromes: (my-eh-lo-diss-PLASS-tik SIN-dromez) A group of disorders where the bone marrow does not work well, and the bone marrow cells fail to make enough healthy blood cells. Myelo refers to the bone marrow. Dysplastic means abnormal growth or development. People with MDS have low blood cell count for at… (MDS). In 2001, SEER began collecting data on the incidence and survival of people with MDS. Incidence refers to the number of new cases diagnosed each year.

see lymphocyte lymphocyte: A type of white blood cell. B lymphoctyes, or B cells, help make special proteins called antibodies that fight bacteria and viruses (immune response). T lymphocytes, or T cells, help kill tumor cells and help the body's immune response.