A Patient’s Guide to Understanding
Cutaneous Lymphoma
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Biologic therapy:
Treatment that uses or stimulates the immune system in
directing a response against an infection or disease.
Biomarker:
A compound (usually a protein) used to measure the presence
of a disease.
Biopsy:
Removal of tissue for evaluation under a microscope for
diagnostic purposes.
Bone marrow:
Spongy material found inside the bones containing stem
cells that develop into three types of cells: red blood cells that deliver
oxygen to the body and take away carbon dioxide; white blood cells that
protect the body from infection; and platelets that help the blood to clot.
Cancer:
Abnormal cell growth that cannot be controlled by the body’s
natural defenses. Cancerous cells can grow and eventually form tumors.
Catheter (intravenous access):
A device that is temporarily or
permanently placed into a vein that makes it easier to give medications.
Chemotherapy:
Treatment with drugs to stop the growth of rapidly
dividing cancer cells, including lymphoma cells.
Chemotherapy cycle:
Term used to describe the process in which
chemotherapy is given, followed by a period of rest in which the body is
allowed to recover.
Chemotherapy regimen:
Combinations of anticancer drugs given at a
certain dose in a specific sequence according to a strict schedule.
Clinical trial:
A research study in which a new treatment is given to
patients to determine whether it is safe, more effective or less toxic than
current therapies. Clinical trials are an important part of the process of
understanding diseases and have been instrumental in providing
information to the Food and Drug Administration for approval of new
therapies.
