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Acute
A term used to describe something with a recent onset and a short duration that quickly gets worse. It can describe a disease, or patients’ symptoms and signs. The opposite of acute is chronic.
More infoAcute pain
An unpleasant feeling of pain that comes on quickly and lasts for a short time. It can happen following surgery or trauma, or another health condition, and acts often as a warning to the body to seek help.
More infoAdenocarcinoma
A cancer that starts in cells of the body that produce fluids and lubricants, such as the gut.
More infoAdjuvant treatment
A treatment that is often given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells and lower the risk that the cancer will come back. Adjuvant treatment may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone treatment, targeted therapy, or biological therapy.
More infoAdvanced cancer
Cancer that may have begun to spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes and is normally larger in size than tumours in patients without advanced cancer. In some cases, advanced cancer also describes a tumour that has come back after being treated.
More infoAge-related macular degeneration
A medical condition that causes blurred or reduced vision in the centre of one or both eyes caused by damage to an area of the retina in the back of the eye called the macula.
More infoAMD
A medical condition that causes blurred or reduced vision in the centre of one or both eyes caused by damage to an area of the retina in the back of the eye called the macula.
More infoAmniocentesis
A test done during pregnancy to take a small amount of fluid from around the baby in the womb to test for conditions in the growing baby.
More infoAnaemia
A condition where a person has a reduced amount of haemoglobin or number of red blood cells, which can lower the ability to carry enough oxygen around the body.
More infoAngiogenesis
The growth of blood vessels. Tumour angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels that cancers need in order to grow.
More infoAnti-inflammatory
A medicine or other method used to reduce inflammation, e.g. in the form of redness, swelling, or pain (inflammation).
More infoAntibody
Antibodies are created by cells of the immune system and are carried around the body by blood and lymph. They stick, for example, to cells or parts of cells in an individual’s body to determine if the cells are good or bad. Antibodies that stick to bacteria and viruses, which cause infections, help the body to destroy the bacteria and viruses, protecting the body against infection. Certain types of antibodies (called monoclonal antibodies), made in the laboratory instead of the body, can detect bad cells in the body such as cancer cells and help to destroy them.
More infoAsthma
A common long-term lung condition caused by swelling (inflammation) of the airways that causes difficulty with breathing.
More infoAutoimmune disease
A term used to describe a group of diseases where the immune system of an organism attacks it's own healthy cells or structures in the body by mistake. Autoimmune diseases can affect different parts of the body such as the gut (for example Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), the joints (for example rheumatoid arthritis) or the skin (for example psoriasis).
More infoBest supportive care
Care that focuses on relieving the symptoms caused by serious illnesses (for example cancer)
More infoBiological therapy/treatment
A therapy based on products from a living organism and used in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer and other diseases. Biological drugs include for instance antibodies, interleukins, and vaccinations.
More infoBiopsy
A common surgical procedure that involves taking a small sample of cells or tissue so it can be examined under a microscope. The most common types of biopsies are incisional biopsies (where only a sample of tissue is removed), excisional biopsies (where an entire lump or suspicious area is removed) and needle biopsies (where a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle).
More infoBlinding
Blinding means that people involved in clinical trials do not know whether they are given the new drug being tested, an older drug that is known to work, or a placebo that does not contain any active drug. This makes it easier to understand if a new drug works well.
More infoBone marrow transplant
A procedure where a patient receives healthy blood-forming cells (called stem cells) to replace their own stem cells that have been destroyed by disease, or by radiation or high doses of anticancer drugs that are given as part of their treatment. A bone marrow transplant may be autologous (by using a patient’s own stem cells that were collected from the marrow and saved before treatment), allogeneic (by using stem cells donated by someone who is not an identical twin), or syngeneic (by using stem cells donated by an identical twin).
More infoBypassing agent
These are medicines that are used for haemophilia. They work around (or bypass) inhibitors that stop another medicine from working to help the body form a normal blood clot.
More infoCancer
When people are healthy, cells grow and multiply at a steady controlled rate, which is necessary for bodies to work well (for example to heal after illness or injury). Sometimes a change, or alteration, to the DNA that gives instructions on how cells should behave can randomly happen when cells divide. These alterations (also called ‘mutations’) can cause cells to grow and multiply out of control, eventually forming a group of abnormal cancer cells known as a tumour.
More infoCIT
A type of therapy that encourages or suppresses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells.
More infoCancer of unknown primary site
The term used when cancer is found in a patient’s body, but the original (or primary) place the cancer started is not known. At the time of diagnosis, CUP presents as metastasis at different places across the body.
More infoCUP
The term used when cancer is found in a patient’s body, but the original (or primary) place the cancer started is not known. At the time of diagnosis, CUP presents as metastasis at different places across the body.
More infoCapsule endoscopy
An examination where a patient swallows a small capsule that contains a tiny camera and light. This takes photos of the inside of a patient’s gut as it passes through for their doctor to examine.
More infoCarrier
An individual person who is capable of passing on a genetic alteration associated with a disease, but who may or may not display disease symptoms themselves.
More infoCheckpoint inhibitors
To detect cells in the body that are bad or defective, the immune system uses specific molecules (or checkpoints) on some immune cells to start the attack on bad cells. Cancer cells sometimes find ways to use these checkpoints to avoid being attacked by the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors are medicines that stop the cancer cells protecting themselves.
More infoChemotherapy
Drugs that stop cancer growing, either by killing the cancer cells or by stopping them from dividing.
More infoChorionic villus sampling
A test done during pregnancy to take a small number of cells from the placenta connecting the mother to her baby in the womb to test for conditions in the growing baby.
More infoChromosome
Genes are packaged as chromosomes (a long chain of genes folded up tightly to fit in a cell). There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell of an individual without any genetic disorders. One-half of the pair comes from the mother, the other half from the father.
More infoChronic
A term used to describe something that gets worse slowly and continues for a long period of time. It can describe a disease, or patients’ symptoms and signs. The opposite of chronic is acute.
More infoChronic metabolic diseases
A term that describes the combination of increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. These conditions are life-long and cannot be cured. However, with effective management (for example treatments or lifestyle changes), people can continue to live a full life.
More infoChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A term that describes a group of lung diseases including emphysema (the destruction of lung tissue that allows people to breathe), chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes that carry air to and from the lungs) and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. These conditions are life-long.
More infoCOPD
A term that describes a group of lung diseases including emphysema (the destruction of lung tissue that allows people to breathe), chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes that carry air to and from the lungs) and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. These conditions are life-long.
More infoChronic respiratory disease
A term that describes all life-long conditions affecting the organs and tissues that make breathing and transport of oxygen and other gases around the body possible.
More infoCirrhosis
Liver scarring that results from previous damage, such as from an infection or from drinking too much alcohol. This scarring can cause problems with the way the liver works and this can lead to further problems.
More infoClinical trial
Clinical trials are medical research studies that involve people. The aim of a clinical trial is to test new drugs to see how well they work in helping people feel better, or in helping a disease to improve or stop getting worse. Clinical trials also test whether new drugs are safe and if they have any side effects. If clinical trials show that the new drug works well and does not have too many side effects, the company can apply to official organisations in different countries to ask if the drug can be given to other people with the disease who are not in clinical trials
More infoCognitive dysfunction
The impairment of the intellectual functions such as thinking, remembering and reasoning that can be subclinical or bad enough to get in the way of daily activities.
More infoColorectal cancer
The colon and rectum make up the large intestine, which is the final part of the gut (or the digestive or gastrointestinal) system. Colorectal cancer (also known as bowel cancer) is a broad term meaning cancer that develops in the colon or rectum.
More infoCRC
The colon and rectum make up the large intestine, which is the final part of the gut (or the digestive or gastrointestinal) system. Colorectal cancer (also known as bowel cancer) is a broad term meaning cancer that develops in the colon or rectum.
More infoColonoscopy
A technique where a special tube with a camera is inserted through a patient’s anus to view the rectum and colon to check for any unusual growths or inflammation in the gut. A sample (or biopsy) of any unusual growths may also be taken to check whether there is any sign of colorectal cancer.
More infoCT
Also known as computerised tomography. A type of scan that uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body.
More infoCorticosteroids
A steroid hormone that can be made by the body or in a laboratory. Corticosteroids have many different effects in the body, and are used to treat many different conditions. They may be used as hormone replacement, to suppress the immune system, and to treat some side effects of cancer and its treatment.
More infoCrohn’s disease
An autoimmune bowel disease that can cause inflammation (swelling, redness, and pain) anywhere in the gut, but most often in part of the small intestines called the ‘ileum’ or in the large intestine, also known as the colon.
More infoCystic fibrosis
A condition caused by a damaged gene that affects the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. This, combined with repeated infections, can cause a build-up of thick, sticky mucus in the body's airways. This particularly affects the lungs and digestive system, causing a wide range of challenging complications all over the body.
More infoDNA or deoxyribonucleic acid
Also known as deoxyribonucleic acid. Genetic instructions used in the development, growth, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.
More infoDiabetes mellitus
A term used to describe a group of disorders that cause a person’s blood sugar to become too high. This disease occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or does not use insulin the way it should.
More infoDiffuse large B-cell lymphoma
The most common type of lymphoma and the most common type of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which spreads all over lymph nodes rapidly.
More infoDLBCL
The most common type of lymphoma and the most common type of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which spreads all over lymph nodes rapidly.
More infoDouble blinding
Double blinding means that both the researchers running the clinical trial and the people taking part in the clinical trial do not know which drug a person is given until after the clinical trial has finished.
More infoDry age-related macular degeneration
Dry age-related macular degeneration is the most common form of age-related macular degeneration, occurring in around nine out of ten patients. It is caused by the layers of the macula, in the back of the eye, slowly becoming thinner as old cells die without being replaced by the body. This causes the macula to gradually stop working properly with vision in the centre of the eye slowly being lost.
More infoEndoscopy
Insertion of a thin tube with a camera, either through the mouth (to view the oesophagus and stomach) or through the anus (to view the rectum and colon).
More infoEGFR
Also known as epidermal growth factor receptor. The protein found on the surface of some cells. When epidermal growth factor binds to EGFR the cells divide, creating new cells. An alteration in the EGFR gene can lead to cancer.
More infoProgesterone receptor
The estrogen and progesterone receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones estrogen and progesterone will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. Checking the amount of estrogen or progesterone receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoEstrogen receptor
The estrogen and progesterone receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones estrogen and progesterone will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. Checking the amount of estrogen or progesterone receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoER-positive
The estrogen and progesterone receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones estrogen and progesterone will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. Checking the amount of estrogen or progesterone receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoER+
The estrogen and progesterone receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones estrogen and progesterone will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. Checking the amount of estrogen or progesterone receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoPR-positive
The estrogen and progesterone receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones estrogen and progesterone will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. Checking the amount of estrogen or progesterone receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoPR+
The estrogen and progesterone receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones estrogen and progesterone will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. Checking the amount of estrogen or progesterone receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoEuropean Medicines Agency
European Union agency whose role is to protect and promote public health by overseeing the use of medicinal products in Europe Union member states. The EMA’s scientific committees review the evidence from clinical trials and make a recommendation on whether a medicine should be made available for the treatment of a particular disease. The decision is based upon several factors, including how well the medicine works and how safe the medicine is.
More infoEMA
European Union agency whose role is to protect and promote public health by overseeing the use of medicinal products in Europe Union member states. The EMA’s scientific committees review the evidence from clinical trials and make a recommendation on whether a medicine should be made available for the treatment of a particular disease. The decision is based upon several factors, including how well the medicine works and how safe the medicine is.
More infoExtranodal disease
When cancerous lymphocytes (white blood cells) travel to sites of the body other than the lymph nodes (for example the lungs, liver, blood, bone marrow, kidneys, brain, and spinal cord).
More infoFactor 8/9
Also known as factor VIII/IX. Haemophilia is caused by an alteration (a defect or change) in a person’s genes. People with haemophilia A have a defect in a gene called factor 8 and people with haemophilia B have a defect in a gene called factor 9. In both cases, the affected gene is either missing or does not work.
More infoFood and Drug Administration
US agency whose role is to protect and promote public health in the US. The FDA decides if evidence from clinical trials has shown that a new medicine works well enough and is safe enough to be approved for use in the treatment of a particular disease.
More infoFDA
US agency whose role is to protect and promote public health in the US. The FDA decides if evidence from clinical trials has shown that a new medicine works well enough and is safe enough to be approved for use in the treatment of a particular disease.
More infoFibrin
A protein that forms a sticky mesh across injured blood vessels to create a clot and stop bleeding, similar to a plaster placed over a wound.
More infoFistulas
Abnormal channels or passageways that form from one internal organ to another, or to the outside surface of the body. They can occur in any part of the body, but they are most common in the digestive system.
More infoFollicular lymphoma
The most common type of low-grade (slow-growing) non-Hodgkin lymphoma and the second most common type of lymphoma. Follicular lymphoma usually begins in the lymph nodes, but can spread throughout the body.
More infoGene
Genes are the instructions for how to build all known living organisms from bacteria to humans. They are pieces of DNA inherited from parents and contain all the information needed to make people who they are – from the colour of someone’s eyes to their blood type.
More infoGenetic carrier
A person who is capable of passing on a genetic alteration associated with a disease, but who may or may not display disease symptoms themselves.
More infoGenetics
The way that characteristics of living organisms (from the colour of someone’s eyes to their blood type) are passed from a parent to their child.
More infoGenomic profile
This gives information about specific genes, including how they are different from one person to another in a certain type of disease. A genomic profile may be used to help diagnose a disease or to learn how the disease may get worse without treatments or get better with different treatments.
More infoGlucorticoids
A type of corticosteroid medication that is used to treat a range of diseases caused by inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis, by suppressing the body’s immune system.
More infoHepatocellular carcinoma
The most common type of liver cancer. HCC begins when alterations (defects or changes) occur in hepatocyte (specialised liver cell) DNA. These alterations affect the DNA instructions and can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and eventually the formation of a tumour.
More infoHCC
The most common type of liver cancer. HCC begins when alterations (defects or changes) occur in hepatocyte (specialised liver cell) DNA. These alterations affect the DNA instructions and can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and eventually the formation of a tumour.
More infoHepatitis
A term that describes inflammation of the liver. It is usually the result of liver damage caused by a viral infection or by drinking too much alcohol.
More infoHepatitis virus
There are three types of hepatitis virus called A, B and C. Long-term infection with hepatitis B or C can cause liver cirrhosis (a scarring of the tissues that can cause problems with the way the liver works).
More infoHER2
Also known as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. HER2 is a protein involved in normal cell growth. It can be made in larger than normal amounts by some types of cancer cells, including breast cancer, and cause cancer cells to grow more quickly. When cancers have more HER2 than normal, they are called ‘HER2-positive’ or ‘HER2+’. Checking the amount of HER2 on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoHER2+
Also known as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. HER2 is a protein involved in normal cell growth. It can be made in larger than normal amounts by some types of cancer cells, including breast cancer, and cause cancer cells to grow more quickly. When cancers have more HER2 than normal, they are called ‘HER2-positive’ or ‘HER2+’. Checking the amount of HER2 on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoHER2-positive
Also known as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. HER2 is a protein involved in normal cell growth. It can be made in larger than normal amounts by some types of cancer cells, including breast cancer, and cause cancer cells to grow more quickly. When cancers have more HER2 than normal, they are called ‘HER2-positive’ or ‘HER2+’. Checking the amount of HER2 on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoHormone treatment
A treatment that uses medicines to block or lower the amount of hormones in the body to slow down or stop the growth of cancer.
More infoHIV
Also known as human immunodeficiency virus. A virus that damages the cells in a person’s immune system and weakens their ability to fight everyday infections and disease.
More infoImmune cells
White blood cells that protect the body from foreign (or harmful) substances, cells and viruses by creating an immune response.
More infoImmune tolerance induction
A method where medicine is given regularly over a period of time until the body is trained to recognise the treatment product without reacting (without forming an immune response) to it.
More infoInvestigator-initiated studies
Investigator Initiated Studies (IIS) are clinical trials that are designed and run by researchers who don't work for a pharmaceutical company. In these trials, a pharmaceutical company such as Roche may be a supporting collaborator.
More infoITI
A method where medicine is given regularly over a period of time until the body is trained to recognise the treatment product without reacting (without forming an immune response) to it.
More infoImmune system
The process that protects the body from foreign (or harmful) substances, cells and viruses by creating white blood cells to fight the bad cells detected.
More infoImmunosuppression
A partial or complete suppression of the immune system that can leave a person at a high risk of infection, which they may be less able to fight off.
More infoImmunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses substances either made naturally by the body or manmade in a laboratory to boost the immune system in order to stop or slow cancer cell growth.
More infoImplant
A term used to describe a device that is surgically inserted into the body to deliver a medicine, replace a bit of the body that is damaged or missing, or to monitor/measure what is happening in the body.
More infoInflammatory bowel disease
A condition that causes inflammation of the digestive system. Inflammation is the body’s reaction to an injury, infection or irritation and can cause redness, swelling and pain. There are two common types of IBD, which are called Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. While these can have the same symptoms, they can affect different parts of the digestive system.
More infoIBD
A condition that causes inflammation of the digestive system. Inflammation is the body’s reaction to an injury, infection or irritation and can cause redness, swelling and pain. There are two common types of IBD, which are called Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. While these can have the same symptoms, they can affect different parts of the digestive system.
More infoInfluenza
Influenza is a relatively common infection of the airways that causes fever, intense aching and cold-like symptoms, a general feeling of weakness and pain in the muscles, and often headaches. It is caused by the influenza virus.
More infoFlu
The flu is a relatively common infection of the airways that causes fever, intense aching and cold-like symptoms, a general feeling of weakness and pain in the muscles, and often headaches. It is caused by the influenza virus.
More infoInfluenza virus
The highly infectious virus responsible for causing influenza. There are three types of influenza virus known as type A, B and C.
More infoIntravenous infusion
An intravenous infusion is where medicine is given directly into the bloodstream over time in a controlled, steady manner. This is usually done in a clinic as it involves a plastic tube inserted into a vein so that the amount and speed of the medicine can be carefully controlled by a healthcare professional over a period of time.
More infoLarge cell carcinoma
Cancer cells that are large and round with big nuclei (the part of the cell that contains all of its genetic information).
More infoLymphatic system
The tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells that fight infections and other diseases. This system includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels (a network of thin tubes that carry lymph and white blood cells).
More infoLymphocyte
Lymphocytes help protect the body from infection. They travel continuously around the body through a network known as the lymphatic system, which includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels (a network of thin tubes that carry lymph and white blood cells).
More infoMacula
The macula is an area in the back of the eye, near the centre of the retina, which is the part of the eye that has the best vision.
More infoMetastatic cancer
Metastatic cancer is a tumour that has spread from where it originally began to another organ or tissue (for example breast cancer cells that move to the bone).
More infoMonoclonal antibody treatment
Antibodies are created by cells of the immune system and are carried around the body by blood. They stick to cells or parts of cells in an individual’s body to work out if the cells are good or bad. Antibodies that stick to bad bacteria and viruses, which cause infections, help the body to destroy the bacteria and viruses, protecting the body against the infection. Certain types of antibodies (called monoclonal antibodies), made in the laboratory instead of the body, can detect other bad cells in the body such as cancer cells and help to destroy them.
More infoMRI
Also known as magnetic resonance imaging. A type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves linked to a computer to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.
More infoMultiple sclerosis
A disease that affects a patient’s central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), which can eventually lead to disability.
More infoMutation, more universally referred to as an alteration
A sudden or inherited change in the DNA pattern that makes up a gene, so that the gene is different from what is found in healthy cells of humans or animals, or any other living organism. An alteration can induce cancer.
More infoMyelin
A substance that surrounds nerve fibres, insulating them like electrical wires, so that electrical signals pass through them easily.
More infoNeovascular age-related macular degeneration
A form of age-related macular degeneration that can cause a patient to lose their eyesight very quickly, sometimes within a few weeks. This is caused by unhealthy blood vessels growing under the macula (part of the retina at the back of the eye) where they would not normally grow. The new unhealthy vessels can cause swelling and bleeding under the macula causing scarring and loss of vision.
More infoWet age-related macular degeneration
A form of age-related macular degeneration that can cause a patient to lose their eyesight very quickly, sometimes within a few weeks. This is caused by unhealthy blood vessels growing under the macula (part of the retina at the back of the eye) where they would not normally grow. The new unhealthy vessels can cause swelling and bleeding under the macula causing scarring and loss of vision.
More infoNeuromuscular disorders
A term used to describe a group of disorders that affect the how the muscles work.
More infoNon-small-cell lung cancer
The most common type of lung cancer. There are three main types of NSCLC (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma), which are determined from the way the tumour cells appear when looked at under a microscope.
More infoNSCLC
The most common type of lung cancer. There are three main types of NSCLC (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma), which are determined from the way the tumour cells appear when looked at under a microscope.
More infoNon-Hodgkin lymphoma
A type of cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which help protect the body from infection. Lymphocytes become abnormal and are unable to fight infections. The abnormal lymphocytes tend to collect in the lymph nodes and spleen, causing them to swell and form cancerous tumours.
More infoNHL
A type of cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which help protect the body from infection. Lymphocytes become abnormal and are unable to fight infections. The abnormal lymphocytes tend to collect in the lymph nodes and spleen, causing them to swell and form cancerous tumours.
More infoNon-steroidal antiinflammatory
An anti-inflammatory medicine used to reduce swelling (inflammation).
More infoOptical coherence tomography
A scan that uses light and a computer to provide a cross sectional image of the retina.
More infoOsteoporosis
A condition that is most common in older women, where bones become increasingly weak and fragile, causing them to eventually crumble and break.
More infoPancolitis
A severe form of ulcerative colitis that has spread throughout the entire large bowel/intestine.
More infoPlacebo
A placebo is used in clinical trials to help researchers understand if the new drug works well. It does not contain any active drug but looks the same, and is given the same way, as the new test drug.
More infoPlatinum-doublet chemotherapy
A combination of two cancer-killing drugs that contain platinum, which are given together and used to treat certain forms of lung cancer.
More infoPneumonia
An infection of the lungs that is caused by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, which produces swelling of the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, causing a cough, fever, chills and difficulty breathing.
More infoProgesterone receptor
The progesterone and estrogen receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones progesterone and estrogen will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. Checking the amount of progesterone or estrogen receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoPR-positive
The progesterone and estrogen receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones progesterone and estrogen will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. Checking the amount of progesterone or estrogen receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoPR+
The progesterone and estrogen receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones progesterone and estrogen will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. Checking the amount of progesterone or estrogen receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoEstrogen receptor
The progesterone and estrogen receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones progesterone and estrogen will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. Checking the amount of progesterone or estrogen receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoER+
The progesterone and estrogen receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones progesterone and estrogen will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. Checking the amount of progesterone or estrogen receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoER-positive
The progesterone and estrogen receptors are proteins found on the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The sex hormones progesterone and estrogen will bind to the receptors and can cause the cells to grow. When cancers have progesterone receptors they are called ‘PR-positive’ or ‘PR+’. When cancers have estrogen receptors they are called ‘ER-positive’ or ‘ER+’. Checking the amount of progesterone or estrogen receptors on some types of cancer cells may help to plan treatment.
More infoProphylactic treatment
A treatment to protect a person from a disease (or the symptoms) they have, or may be exposed to. For example, prophylactic treatment can be given to patients with haemophilia (who are at risk of severe bleeds) to prevent their bleeds before they happen.
More infoProtein
A long chain of very small molecules called amino acids that are organised into both simple and complex structures, and form almost everything in a living organism, from hair and skin to enzymes and antibodies.
More infoRadiotherapy
A treatment where the body is exposed to radiation to damage cancer cells and ultimately kill them.
More infoRandomised
A method in clinical trials using chance (like flipping a coin) to split a group of patients into two or more smaller groups. Patients in the different groups are given different drugs so one can be compared with another.
More infoRecombinant DNA
A form of artificial DNA that is created when pieces of DNA from different sources are joined together.
More infoRemission
When the signs and symptoms of cancer or other diseases disappear. A remission can be temporary or permanent.
More infoRenal cell carcinoma
The most common type of kidney cancer. About nine out of ten of kidney cancers are RCC.
More infoRCC
The most common type of kidney cancer. About nine out of ten of kidney cancers are RCC.
More infoRheumatoid arthritis
An inflammatory disease of the joints of the body, which causes painful swelling.
More infoSeizure disorder
A condition where a person has multiple attacks causing convulsions, muscle spasms and sometimes loss of consciousness.
More infoSmall-cell lung cancer
A type of lung cancer. The type of lung cancer is determined from the way the tumour cells appear when examined under a microscope.
More infoSickle cell anaemia
A condition where a person’s red blood cells do not last as long as normal red blood cells. The cells get stuck in blood vessels due to an abnormal ‘sickle-like’ shape, resulting in a reduction in the number of blood cells. This is a serious and life-long condition where red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen around the body.
More infoSide effects
An unwanted effect of a drug or medical treatment. For example, some chemotherapies can cause hair loss.
More infoSpontaneous bleeding
Bleeding that occurs in someone who has not had any damage or trauma to their body because they have a disorder that stops their blood clotting when it should.
More infoSquamous cell carcinoma
A cancer that starts in the flat cells that cover the airway surface of the lungs
More infoStem cell transplant
A procedure where a patient receives healthy blood-forming cells (called stem cells) to replace their own stem cells that have been destroyed by disease, or by the radiation or high doses of anticancer drugs that are given as part of their treatment. A bone marrow transplant may be autologous (by using a patient’s own stem cells that were collected from the marrow and saved before treatment), allogeneic (by using stem cells donated by someone who is not an identical twin), or syngeneic (by using stem cells donated by an identical twin).
More infoStrictures
Areas of the bowel that have narrowed due to the growth of scar tissue from repeated inflammation (swelling) and healing.
More infoTargeted therapy
A type of treatment that uses drugs to find and attack specific types of cancer cells with less harm to normal cells. Some targeted therapies block the action of certain molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Other types of targeted therapies help the immune system to kill cancer cells or deliver toxic substances directly to cancer cells to kill them. Targeted therapy may have fewer side effects than other types of cancer treatment.
More infoTNM staging
A tumour grading system. These refer to the size of the tumour (T), whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes (N) and whether the cancer has spread (or metastasised) to other parts of the body (M).
More infoTriple-negative breast cancer
A type of cancer where tumour cells do not have receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone or the protein HER2. This type of cancer cannot be treated with standard hormone treatment or targeted treatment. Patients would usually be given surgery or chemotherapy.
More infoTNBC
A type of cancer where tumour cells do not have receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone or the protein HER2. This type of cancer cannot be treated with standard hormone treatment or targeted treatment. Patients would usually be given surgery or chemotherapy.
More infoTrivalent vaccine
A vaccine that contains three types of dead, inactive virus strains that cannot cause infection.
More infoTyrosine kinase
Tyrosine kinases are a part of many cell functions, including cell growth and dividing. They may be too active or high levels may be found in some types of cancer cells, so blocking them may help to keep cancer cells from growing.
More infoTyrosine kinase inhibitors
These drugs block tyrosine kinases, which are part of the specific communication process that controls the basic activities of cells that can cause cancer to grow uncontrollably.
More infoUlcerative colitis
A condition that causes inflammation in the inner lining of the rectum and the lower colon. As well as inflammation, patients with ulcerative colitis can also develop ulcers on the lining of their colon that can bleed and produce mucus, resulting in diarrhoea (frequent loose stools or bowel movements) and bleeding from the rectum.
More infoVaccination
An injection including an inactive virus, or a small part of an active virus, that cannot cause infection by itself in a normal person. The injection helps the body identify the virus as ‘bad’ so if the body is attacked by the real virus in the future it can protect itself against the virus and disease.
More infoVEGF
Also known as vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors. VEGF is a protein that is involved in creating new blood vessels, and treatment with VEGF inhibitors stops new unwanted blood vessels from growing.
More infoTrial Length
The trial length is calculated as the whole duration of the trial, from the (estimated / actual) start date to the (estimated / actual) end date from CT.gov. The period of time the patient is participating in the trial may be shorter.
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