A Patient’s Guide to Understanding
Cutaneous Lymphoma
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Neutropenia:
An abnormally low level of neutrophils (the white blood
cells responsible for fighting bacterial infections).
Neutrophils:
The primary type of white blood cells found in the blood
that fight bacteria.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL):
A group of several closely-related
cancers that arise from the lymphatic system. Although the different types of
NHL have some things in common, they differ in what the cancer cell looks
like under a microscope, how the cells grow and how the tumor affects the
body. Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are a type of NHL.
Oncologist:
A physician who specializes in treating cancer. Some
specialize in chemotherapy (medical oncologist), radiotherapy (radiation
oncologist) or surgery (surgical oncologist).
Palliation:
Treatment that is given to remove or relieve symptoms.
Partial remission (PR):
The term used when a cancer has shrunk in size
by at least half but has not totally disappeared. The cancer can still be
detected and other treatments may be recommended.
Pathologist:
A physician who specializes in studying disease through
microscopic evaluation of body tissues and organs (biopsy). Any tissue
suspected of being cancerous must first be examined by a pathologist to
confirm the diagnosis.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction):
A molecular test that can identify
small amounts of genetic material.
Performance status:
A term used to describe a person’s ability to perform
their activities of daily living.
Peripheral neuropathy:
Damage to the nerves. This condition can be
caused by some drugs and is usually characterized by tingling and weakness
or numbness in the extremities.
