Glossary
Acute Leukaemia
Leukaemia can develop quickly or slowly. Chronic Leukaemia develops slowly but in Acute Leukaemia the cells are very abnormal and grow in number rapidly. For more information, click HERE.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in adults. For more information, click HERE.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in children. For more information, click HERE.
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) For more information click HERE.
Auto-transplantation (See Bone Marrow Transplant)
Basic research
Also called fundamental research or pure research, and is usually carried out in laboratories. It contributes to the growth in scientific knowledge, creating new theories or modifying existing ones.
Bioinformatics Bioinformatics involves the manipulation, search and extraction of information from the data of the DNA sequence.
Biological Therapy
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Blast
Suffix indicating a Young cell that has not reached a state of maturity. They are cancerous cells.
Bone Marrow (see Bone Marrow Transplant)
The bone marrow is the soft inner part of some of the bones, such as the cranium, the shoulder blade, the ribs, the pelvis and the vertebra. The bone marrow consists of the blood-forming cells, fat cells and supporting tissues that facilitate the growth of the blood-producing cells. It contains the stem cells that continually reproduce to form new cells. Some of these cells produce other stem cells and others experience a series of changes to transform into one of the three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Bone Marrow Aplasia Bone Marrow Aplasia consists of the reduction of stem cells from the bone marrow charged with production the blood cells.
Bone Marrow Transplant (See Bone Marrow Transplant)
Burkitt type Leukaemia
A rare type of leukaemia that grows rapidly and causes the excessive production of white blood cells (B lymphocytes) in the blood and the bone marrow. It can start in the lymphatic glands as Burkitt's lymphoma before disseminating into the blood and the bone marrow, or it can start in the blood and bone marrow without affecting the lymphatic glands. Burkitt type Leukaemia and Burkitt's lymphoma are related to infection with the Epstein-Barr virus.
Burkitt's lymphoma The lymphomas are a group of cancerous diseases that develop in the lymphatic system, which forms a part of the body's immune system. Lymphomas are also called solid haematological tumours to differentiate them from leukaemia. Burkitt's lymphoma is a rare form of cancer of the lymphatic system (associated primarily with the B lymphocytes) that predominantly affects young people. Burkitt's lymphoma is associated with the Epstein - Barr virus. For more information, click HERE.
Chemotherapy The term chemotherapy is usually reserved for the drugs applied in the treatment of neoplastic diseases. The principal function of these drugs is to impede the reproduction of cancerous cells. For more information, click HERE.
Chronic Granulocytic Leukaemia
Chronic Granulocytic Leukaemia is a disease that evolves slowly and causes the development of excessive amounts of White blood cells (not lymphocytes) in the bone marrow. It is also known as Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia, Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and CML. For more information, click HERE.
Chronic Idiopathic Myelofibrosis A disorder in which the fibrous tissue replaces the blood stem cells (which produce the bone marrow) causing abnormal red blood cells, anaemia and a growth in size of the spleen. The white blood cells and the platelets also take on an irregular form and their quantity can be excessive or depleted. At the end of the process, the fibrous tissue replaces a large part of the bone marrow which reduces the production of all the blood cells. When this occurs, a serious anaemia develops, the reduced number of white blood cells are not capable of fighting infections and the lack of platelets means they cannot adequately prevent haemorrhages. Although the cause of this disorder is not known, people who have been exposed to certain toxic substances, such as benzene or radiation are more likely to contract Myelofibrosis. It is a disorder that normally develops slowly and most commonly affects people older than 50. There is currently no treatment that can permanently delay or prevent the progression of this disorder, although anticancer drugs such as hydroxyurea can help to reduce the size of the liver and the spleen. A bone marrow transplant can offer hope in certain cases but normally it is not utilized due to the risks for elderly patients.
Chronic Leukaemia
Leukaemia can develop quickly or slowly. Chronic Leukaemia develops slowly but in Acute Leukaemia the cells are very abnormal and grow in number rapidly. For more information, click HERE.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia. For more information, click HERE.
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) For more information, click HERE.
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (CMML)
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia is undoubtedly the most common of the Chronic Myeloproliferative Syndromes. This disease primarily affects elderly people. Most of these people have high counts of white blood cells with the majority being monocytes. There are usually abnormal cells in the bone marrow, but the percentage of blasts (see "blasts") is less than 20%. Many patients have an enlarged spleen (an organ found below the left side of the ribs). Around 15-30% of patients develop Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Some people with this disease can have normal blood counts but still have too many monocytes in the blood.
Chronic Myeloproliferative Syndrome
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Clinical trials
A clinical trial is an experimental evaluation of a product, substance, medication, diagnosis or therapeutic technique. In its application to humans, trials assess the efficiency and safety of thing being evaluated.
Clinical research
The practical use of knowledge, to apply in most cases, to the benefit of society.
Cryobiology
Cryobiology is a discipline charged with the study of the effects of low temperatures in the cells and tissues.
Cytogenetics Cytogenetics is the field of genetics that studies the structure and function of the cells, especially the chromosomes.
Cytomegalovirus
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Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
The lymphomas are a group of cancerous diseases that develop in the lymphatic system, which forms a part of the body's immune system. Lymphomas are also called solid haematological tumours to differentiate them from leukaemia. Diffuse Large B-Cell Leukaemia is a type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the B Cells (cancer of the immune system) that is generally dynamic (rapid growth). It is the most common form of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is characterized by tumours that grow rapidly in the lymphatic glands, the spleen, the liver, the bone marrow and other organs. Other symptoms include; fever, night sweats and loss of weight. There are various subtypes of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.
DNA An acid found in all the cells. It is the information of all living organisms and is transmitted from generation to generation. In the study of cancer and, specifically for our Foundation, of haematological malignancies, DNA is fundamental to know if there is a hereditary pattern of cancer and how to catch it in time, etc.
DNA Bank
A technological platform of support for biomedical research; created to aid the development of research in genomics. The objective of the National DNA bank is to receive, process, and store samples of DNA, plasma and cells of voluntary donors in addition to the relevant health information and lifestyle habits related to the particular samples.
Epidemiological data Epidemiology is the scientific discipline that studies the distribution, frequency, determinants, relationships, predictions and control of the factors related to health and disease in humans. Epidemiology is an important part of public health and contributes to: defining important health problems in a community; describing the natural history of a disease, discovering the factors that increase the risk of contracting a disease; clarifying the possible mechanisms and forms of transmitting a disease; predicting disease trends; determining if the disease or health problem is preventable or controllable; determining the most adequate intervention strategy (prevention or control); testing the effectiveness of intervention strategies; quantifying the benefit of applying the strategies to the population; and evaluating the intervention programmes.
Essential Thrombocytosis A disease which causes the body to produce excessive numbers of platelets or thrombocytes which have an abnormal coagulation. It is a disorder which affects people over the age of 50. It is commonly treated with drugs that diminish the production of platelets such as hydroxyurea, but it can also slow the production of white and red blood cells, which would cause the need to regulate the dosage. The cause of this disease is not currently known.
Flow Cytometry Flow Cytometry is a cellular analysis technique that involves measuring the characteristics of the light dispersion and fluorescency that cells possess as they pass through beam of light. It is especially useful in the field of molecular biology when using fluorescently labelled antibodies. These specific antibodies bind to antigens on target cells and provide information on the particular characteristics of the cells in the cytometer. It is used widely in medicine (especially in transplants, haematology, immunology of tumours and chemotherapy, and genetics, etc).
Follicular Lymphoma
The lymphomas are a group of cancerous diseases that develop in the lymphatic system, which forms a part of the body's immune system. Lymphomas are also called solid haematological tumours to differentiate them from leukaemia.
Follicular Lymphoma is a type of B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) that is usually indolent (slow growing). The tumour cells grow in groups to form nodules. There are various sub-types of Follicular Lymphoma. Follicular Lymphoma can be made of large cells or mixed cells.
Gene
It is the unit which stores genetic information and the inheritance unit which transmits this information to offspring.
Genetics
The field of biological science attempts to understand how biological inheritance is transmitted from one generation to the next, and how it effects the development of the characteristics that control this process.
Genomics
The set of sciences and techniques dedicated to the comprehensive study of the operation, the evolution and origin of the genomes, and the entire genetic information that a particular organism possesses.
Graft Versus Host Disease Graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) is a complication that can occur after a bone marrow transplant, in which the recently transplanted material attacks the body of the receiver of the transplant.
Differences between the bone marrow of the donor and the tissues of the receiver often cause the T cells (a type of white blood cell) of the bone marrow of the donor to register the corporal tissues of the receiver as foreign. When this occurs the recently transplanted bone marrow attacks the body of the recipient.
Growth Factors
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Haemoglobin
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Haematological malignancies
Concept that encompasses all blood cancers.
Haematopoietic stem cells Refers to the sources from which the stem cells can be extracted to perform a transplant: bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood. For more information, click HERE.
Heavy Chain Disease A type of Chronic Lymphoproliferative Syndrome with seriously poor intestinal absorption. In the small intestine and abdominal lymphatic glands, there is a tumour proliferation, probably caused by the presence of an abnormal protein in the blood or the urine that is a fragment of a heavy chain of immunoglobulin A.
Haemorrhages
Haemorrhages and thrombosis are some of the principal complications in haematological malignancies and one of the primary causes of death o worsening quality of life with these patients. For more information, click HERE.
Hodgkin's Lymphoma The lymphomas are a group of cancerous diseases that develop in the lymphatic system, which forms a part of the body's immune system. Lymphomas are also called solid haematological tumours to differentiate them from leukaemia.
Due to the fact that the lymphatic tissue can be found in many parts of the body, Hodgkin's disease (or Hodgkin's Lymphoma) can originate in the any part of the organism, but generally it develops in the lymphatic glands in the upper body (the thorax, the neck, and the axillas are the most common areas). This type of cancer causes a swelling of the lymphatic tissue, often causing pressure on important structures. The primary form of propagation of Hodgkin's disease is through the lymph vessels and other lymphatic glands. In most cases, this disease spreads to nearby lymph glands, not to distant parts of the organism. On rare occasions it can pass into the blood vessels, which then carries the disease to other parts of the body, such as the liver and the lungs.
There are many reasons why the lymphatic glands increase in size. Although it can be a consequence of Hodgkin's disease, it is much more frequent that it is a result of the body fighting an infection.
Imatinib
A drug used in certain in the treatment of leukaemia and other cancers of the blood cells. Imatinib belongs to a group of medication called protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It acts to block the action of the abnormal protein which is causing the cancerous cells to multiply. It thereby helps to restrict the propagation of the cancerous cells.
Immunoglobulin
The immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are proteins employed by the human immune system to identify and neutralize strange elements in the organism such as bacteria, virus, and tumours. There are distinct types of antibodies that play different roles in directing the correct immune response to each type of foreign object they find. The production of antibodies is an essential function of the immune system. It is extremely important to understand that the antibodies and immunoglobulins have "memory" and they survive in the body for long periods of time in order to enable the immune system to remember the antigen and respond quicker to future exposures to the same foreign agent. Therefore, we can say that our immune system adapts, learns, and remembers the elements that invade it. The monoclonal antibodies are antibodies produced in a laboratory, prepared to find and destroy specific types of cells. They are employed especially in biomedical research for their ability to identify and clone genes, proteins, and enzymes. In addition, they are used in the treatment of a diverse range of diseases for their capacity to eradicate certain infections and destroy cells, including tumours, through different mechanisms. For that reason, they are excellent substances to prevent the rejection of transplants and for the treatment of infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and varying types of cancer such as leukaemia and lymphoma. For more information, click HERE.
Isolated room
Due to a state of immunodeficiency, patients with haematological malignancies should stay in sterile rooms for the most crucial moments (before and after a bone marrow transplant for example) in order to provide the highest possible protection against infections and viruses etc.
Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (JMML) Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia is a chronic myeloproliferative syndrome. Less than 3% of all leukaemias in children is this type. This disease tends to affect young children although it has many of the same characteristics that adults in the adult form of the disorder. Around 10-20% of children with this disease contract Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
Leukaemia
Leukaemia is a group of malignant blood diseases that provoke an uncontrollable growth of the White blood cells in the blood. For more information, click HERE.
Lymphatic System A web of organs, lymph glands, lymph conducts and vessels that produce and transport lymph from the tissues to the blood stream. The lymphatic system is one of the principal components of the body's immune system.
Lymphoblastic Lymphoma The lymphomas are a group of cancerous diseases that develop in the lymphatic system, which forms a part of the body's immune system. Lymphomas are also called solid haematological tumours to differentiate them from leukaemia.
Lymphoblastic Leukaemia is a type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma that causes the generation of excessive numbers of T-cell lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) in the lymphatic glands and the spleen. This disease is most common in young men and is also called Precursor T-cell Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
Lymphoid Origin
Refers to the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Also refers to the tissue where the lymphocytes are developed. For more information, click HERE.
Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom
A disorder in which the plasma cells produce an excessive amount of macroglobulins (a type of antibody) that accumulates in the blood. It forms a part of the groups of disorders called the Monoclonal Gammapathies (refer to the glossary above). This disease more commonly affects men than women, and the average age of people affected is 65. The cause is currently still unknown. Chemotherapy can delay the growth of the abnormal plasma cells but it does not cure Macroglobulinemia. The only current cure is a bone marrow transplant, but it is not utilized in the majority of cases due to the risks that come with a transplant for elderly people. For more information, click HERE.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma The lymphomas are a group of cancerous diseases that develop in the lymphatic system, which forms a part of the body's immune system. Lymphomas are also called solid haematological tumours to differentiate them from leukaemia. Mantle Cell Lymphoma is one of the rarest lymphomas and represents around 6% of the cases of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. MCL is a subtype of B-Lymphocyte Lymphoma and is one of the most difficult lymphomas to treat with no successful treatment yet found. There is no standard treatment for MCL, and there is no accord between specialists regarding the best form of treatment. Its cause is unknown and it is not genetic.
Metastasis
Metastasis is the spread of a cancerous element to an organ distinct from the one originally affected. It usually occurs through the blood of the lymphatic system.
Minimal Residual Disease
Minimal Residual Disease is defined by the persistence of a small number of malign cells, undetectable by conventional morphology. It is the cause of relapse for many leukaemia patients.
Molecular Biology The scientific discipline that studies the processes taking place in living organisms from a molecular standpoint.
Monoclonal Gammapathies Monoclonal Gammapathies are a group that includes diverse haematological malignancies. They are characterized by a disorder of the plasma cells or the immunoglobulin.
The malignant Monoclonal Gammapathies are; Multiple Myeloma, Leukaemia of the plasma cells, Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom, heavy chain disease and Amyloidosis.
Mucositis For more information, click HERE.
Multiple Myeloma A cancer of the plasma cells which causes the formation and multiplication of tumours in the bone marrow. They belong to a group called monoclonal gammapathies. Multiple Myeloma is a type of rare cancer that affects both men and women, most commonly above the age of 40. One of the symptoms of this disorder is the progressive destruction of the bones; they become very weak and can fracture. The cause of Multiple Myeloma is currently unknown and the treatment aims to prevent and alleviate symptoms and complications, destroying abnormal plasma cells and slowing the progression of the disorder. Apart from a bone marrow transplant (it is rarely used due to the advanced age of the majority of patients) there is presently no definitive cure for Multiple Myeloma. However, treatment can slow the evolution of the disease in more than 60% of patients. For more information, click HERE.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
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Myeloid Origin Refers to the myeloblasts (immature white blood cells) that are not lymphoblasts, in bone marrow and the blood. For more information, click HERE.
Neoplastic proliferation
The abnormal proliferation (abundant multiplication) of cells in a tissue or organ which leads to the formation of neoplasm. A neoplasm forms a discrete mass known as a tumour that can be benign or malign. Other neoplasms like Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia or leukaemia might not form tumours. A neoplasm can be benign, potential, or clearly malign. Within the group of malign neoplasms it is possible to find many different forms of cancer.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
The lymphomas are a group of cancerous diseases that develop in the lymphatic system, which forms a part of the body's immune system. Lymphomas are also called solid haematological tumours to differentiate them from leukaemia.
In Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma the white blood cells, called lymphocytes, can be found in the lymphatic tissues. The majority of the lymphomas develop in the white blood cells called, B-lymphocytes or B-cells.
For the majority of patients, the cause of cancer is unknown. However, Lymphoma can develop in people who have weaker immune systems; for example, the risk of lymphoma can be elevated after an organ transplant or in people suffering from HIV.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas are classified according the speed at which they spread. This cancer can be low, intermediate or high level. The Burkitt's tumour is an example of a high level lymphoma. There are many different types of these lymphomas.
Pain
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Peripheral blood (see Bone marrow transplant)
It is the blood that circulates around the whole body
Pharmacogenetics
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Pharmacongenomics
The branch of pharmacology that studies how different individuals, with distinct genetic characteristic, also respond differently to medication, based mainly on the symptoms of the diseases.
Platelets Generally classified as a type of blood cell, but in reality they are fragments of a cell in the bone marrow called megakaryocyte. Platelets are important to repair blood vessels damaged by cuts and bruises. The process of diminishing platelets levels is called thrombocytopenia and can cause excessive bleeding or bruising when blood vessels are damaged.
Polycythemia Vera A rare disorder that causes the excessive production of red blood cells and is normally diagnosed in people older than 60 years old. The excess of red blood cells causes an increase in the volume and thickness of the blood. The causes of this disorder are unknown and, currently, the objective of treatment is to restrict the production of red blood cells and reduce the quantity.
Positive Philadelphia Chromosome
The Philadelphia Chromosome (also called Philadelphia Translocation) is a genetic abnormality associated with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML). See Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia.
Primary Amyloidosis A disorder grouped under monoclonal gammopathy. Primary Amyloidosis is characterized by the accumulation of a rare protein called amyloid in the tissues and organs which causes an alteration of the plasma cells. The accumulation of large quantities of amyloid can alter the normal functioning of many organs. The symptoms of Amyloidosis depend where the amyloids manifest. Many people have few symptoms, but others develop a serious and fatal disease. For example, Amyloidosis caused by Multiple Myeloma has a poor prognosis; the majority of people who suffer both diseases die within one or two years.
Proteins Proteins play a fundamental role in living beings and are most versatile and diverse bio-molecules. They perform a large range of different functions such as: structure (collagen keratin), regulation (insulin and hormone growth), transportation (haemoglobin), defence (antibodies), enzymatic (sucrose and pepsin), and contraction (actin and myosin). Proteins in all living things are determined by genetics.
Protein targeting Protein targeting is a mechanism which can be located in any part of the cellular membrane, the cytoplasm, or the nucleus. It is capable of recognizing a drug and producing a cellular response.
Proteomic
Proteomics can be defined as functional genomics at a protein level. It is the science of proteins correlated with their genes, studying the set of proteins (proteome) expressed in the genome at any given time.
Radiotherapy Radiotherapy is a form of treatment based on the deployment of ionizing radiation. For more information, click HERE.
Rare Diseases
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Red blood cells The red blood cells contain haemoglobin, which transport the oxygen from the lungs to all other tissues in the body and exchange it for carbon dioxide. Low levels of red blood cells (anaemia) typically cause weakness and tiredness. When anaemia is severe, it can cause difficulty with breathing.
Refractory Anaemia
There are several types of refractory anaemia which are grouped under myelodysplastic syndromes.
People with Refractory Anaemia only have anaemia. It is only the premature cells that originate in the red blood cells that have an abnormal appearance (dysplasia). The number of very premature cells (blasts) is normal (less than 5%). A number of red blood cells in the bone marrow could contain deposits of iron that form a ring structure (ring sideroblasts), but that only represents less than 15%. Around 5-10% of all patients of myelodysplastic syndromes have refractory anaemia. This type rarely turns into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
Refractory Anaemia with ring sideroblasts is similar to Refractory Anaemia with the exception that the number of ring sideroblasts in the bone marrow is more than 15%. Around 10-15% of all patients with myelodysplastic syndromes suffer this particular type. This type rarely turns into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
In Refractory Anaemia with excessive blasts (type 1 and 2) the levels of one of the three types of blood cells is low and looks abnormal. The number of blasts is abnormal, because it is more than 5%, but less than 10% in type 1 and varying between 10-20% in type 2. This type of the disease represents 40% of all myelodysplastic syndromes patients. The probability of the disease turning into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia is 25% with type 1 and 33% with type 2.
Refractory Cytopenia
There are diverse types of Refractory Cytopenia and they are classified within the myelodysplastic syndromes.
In Refractory Cytopenia with Multilineage Dysplasia the levels of at least two (of the three) types of blood cells are low. Two of the cells in the bone marrow have an abnormal appearance under the microscope (dysplasia). The number of blasts is lower than 5%, whilst the number of ring sideroblasts in the bone marrow is lower than 15%. Around 25% of patients suffering from a myelodysplastic syndrome have this particular type, which converts into leukaemia in 10% of cases.
Stem cells Cells that generate the bone marrow, responsible for the production of blood cells, haematopoietic stem cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets (see the Bone Marrow).
Thalidomide Thalidomide has emerged as an effective agent in the treatment of Multiple Myeloma. It introduced as a sedative in 1953. More than four decades after it was discovered that Thalidomide caused devastating birth defects, the scientific community discovered that this controversial drug could have a place in modern pharmacopeia. At the end of the nineties, various studies discovered that it was effective in the treatment of leprosy and other dermatological pathologies, infections, and autoimmune diseases as well as several types of cancer.
In 1996, within this cautious process of "recuperation", the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of thalidomide as a treatment for the bone marrow disease, Multiple Myeloma; the second most frequent haematological cancer in the world.
Thrombosis
Thrombosis is a blood clot inside a blood vessel and once of the causes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Thrombosis and haemorrhage complications and frequently occur in haematological malignancies.
Translational research
Translational research represents the possibility for "observation from a better site". It combines basic research and clinical research and adds to them. First the physiology and biology of a patient's own cells are objectively studied, then observations are made in a laboratory and finally the results are given to the patient.
Umbilical Cord blood (see umbilical cord blood transplant) Umbilical cord blood is one of the hematopoietic progenitors and therefore, one of the places where stem cells can be found (charged with producing the blood cells).
Umbilical Cord Transplant (See Umbilical cord transplant)
White blood cells
White blood cells or leukocytes are the defence of the body against infection and strange substances. To defend the body adequately, a sufficient quantity of white blood cells are necessary to stimulate appropriate responses. They arrive where they are needed and then kill and digest the harmful organisms and substances.
Similarly t0 all the blood cells, the White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. They are formed from precursor cells (stem cells) that mature until they are converted into one of the five principal white blood cells: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. On average a person produces around 100,000 million white blood cells every day.
Zoledronate
Zoledronate is a medication used to treat patients with hypercalcemia (high concentration of calcium in the blood), which is a cause of cancer. It is therefore used together with other drugs in order to treat Multiple Myeloma. It helps to prevent bone fractures and reduce the pain in the bones for patients who have cancer that has spread to the bones. For more information, click HERE.
