Learning The Basics
93
Histology:
The study of tissue characteristics that may lead to identifying
a specific type of tumor.
Idiotype:
A unique “fingerprint” portion of an antibody present on the
surface of B-cells.
Idiotype vaccine:
A lymphoma vaccine that is custom-made to attack
an individual patient’s lymphoma and contains idiotype (unique) tumor
materials and an immune stimulant.
Immune system:
One of the body’s defense mechanisms involved in
fighting infections and recognizing foreign tissues. All cutaneous T-cell
lymphomas and lymphomas are diseases of the immune system.
Immunological tests:
Blood tests that detect the presence of diagnostic
proteins or antigens on a tumor.
Immunotherapy:
See biologic therapy.
Indolent lymphoma:
Lymphoma that is slow-growing and has few
symptoms. Also called low-grade lymphoma.
Interferons:
Naturally occurring compounds that stimulate the immune
system in infections and inflammation. Synthetic forms are used to treat
viral infections, autoimmune diseases and cancers.
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH):
An enzyme measured in the blood and
used as a biomarker to measure the extent or spread of cancers.
Leukopenia:
An abnormally low level of circulating white blood cells
resulting in the inability to fight infections.
Local therapy:
A therapy that is directed to specific and limited areas.
Localized disease:
A cancer that is only present in a limited part of the
body – for example, the neck or armpits.
Glossary
