Medical Dictionary
Definitions of key oncology and immunology terms used in Fucoidan research.
Activation phase
The second phase of the immune response in that lymphocytes which recognize and bind a foreign antigen undergo initial proliferation to become cloned memory cells and to amplify the protective response.
Acute
A rapidly developing condition. An acute medical condition comes on quickly and often causes severe symptoms, but lasts only a short time.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
A type of leukemia, or cancer of the blood and blood-forming tissue, where many abnormal lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) are produced by the body.
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
A type of leukemia, or cancer of the blood and blood-forming tissue, where many abnormal granulocytes (a type of white blood cell) are produced by the body.
Allergen
Any substance capable of inducing an allergic reaction.
Allergy
A clinically manifest hypersensitivity state to a specific allergen or antigen causing a range of harmful immunologic reactions, (e.g., hay fever, asthma, food intolerance, skin rash).
Allogeneic transplantation
A procedure where cells, tissue, or organs are transplanted to a person from a compatible donor.
Alopecia
A skin disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and sometimes elsewhere on the body.
Alternative therapy
Any healing practices that are not part of mainstream medicine — that means any practice that is not widely taught in medical schools or often used by doctors or in hospitals.
Anaphylactic reaction
Sudden generalized allergic reactions of life-threatening severity.
Anaphylatoxin
A fragment (also known as C3a) of complement C3 that causes cellular release of histamine.
Anemia
A condition in which the body has a low number of red blood cells.
Angiogram
A type of X-ray, using a special dye, that helps show blood vessels and blood flow. It's also used to identify certain kinds of tumors.
Antibody
An immunoglobulin protein produced by the immune system, designed to bind to a specific single antigen. Antibodies neutralize foreign antigens.
Antigen
Any substance (or molecule) capable of inducing a specific immune response. Antigens include a wide variety of plant and microorganism components or toxins.
Autoimmune disease
Any disease caused by the immune system's erroneous and destructive actions on the body's own tissues.
Basophil
A white blood cell (WBC) with granules that can be stained by basic dyes. Basophils participate in inflammatory processes.
B-cells (or B-lymphocytes)
Thymus-independent, bursa-equivalent lymphocytes produced by bone marrow to populate all lymphoid organs and tissues.
Benign
A term used to describe tumors that are slow-growing and noncancerous, and do not spread to surrounding tissue.
Biopsy
Taking a sample of tissue from the body for examination to help make a diagnosis and choose the right treatment.
Blast cell
An immature blood cell that grows into a red blood cell, white blood cell, or platelet.
Blood
The naturally produced fluid in the body made up of red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma.
Bone marrow
A thick, spongy liquid inside the bones that makes all kinds of blood cells.
CAM
Short for "complementary and alternative medicine."
Cancer
A group of many related diseases that all have to do with cells. Cancer happens when abnormal cells grow and spread very fast.
Carcinogen
Things that can cause cancer, such as tobacco smoke.
CAT scan
A type of X-ray in which a machine rotates around the patient and creates a picture of the inside of the body from different angles.
Cells
The basic components or "building blocks" of the human body.
Chemotherapy
The use of special medicines to treat cancer by combining drugs to attack cells in different ways.
Chronic
An illness that someone has for a long time or one that goes away and keeps coming back.
Cytokines
Small peptide molecules released by a variety of cells that allow intercellular communication and stimulate diverse responses.
Defensins
Basic polymorphonuclear leukocyte proteins released during inflammation that kill bacteria by damaging their cell walls.
Delayed hypersensitivity
An exaggerated immune response that is delayed for a day or more. It is mediated by the response of T-cells.
Dysplasia
Abnormal changes in the structure or organization of a group of cells.
Dyspnea
Trouble breathing; feeling short of breath.
Edema
Swelling in areas such as the feet and legs caused by excess fluid buildup in the tissues.
Effector phase
The third phase of the immune response in which multifaceted mechanisms become focused on the elimination of the foreign antigen.
Eicosanoids
Small lipid molecules derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids that initiate a diverse variety of cellular activities.
Eosinophil
A type of white blood cell classified as a granulocyte. Eosinophils tend to increase to fight allergic reactions.
External radiation
Radiation therapy that usually involves visiting the hospital as outpatients 4–5 days a week for several weeks.
Fab (antibody fragment) parts
The two arms of Y-shaped antibody molecules that bind to a specific antigen.
Fc (crystalline fragment) part
The bottom leg of Y-shaped antibody molecules that can bind to complement or various WBCs.
Gallium scan
A diagnostic test that involves injecting a chemical called gallium to detect tumors and inflammation.
Gene
Sections of DNA carried on chromosomes that determine specific human characteristics.
Gene therapy
A field of medicine that uses altered and engineered genes to correct specific disorders or genetic defects.
Genetics
The study of the way physical traits and characteristics get passed down from one generation to the next.
Germ cells
Reproductive cells that develop into sperm in males and eggs in females.
Grade
A value for cancer indicating how aggressive it is; lower grades usually mean a better chance for a cure.
Granulocyte
A type of white blood cell containing grain-like particles full of enzymes to fight bacteria.
Helper cell
A CD4+ T-lymphocyte that helps initiate and stimulate the production of immunoglobulins by B-cells.
Hematologist
A doctor who specializes in blood disorders.
Hemoglobin
A substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen through the blood to different parts of the body.
Histamine
A compound released by mast cells during allergic reactions causing dilation of blood vessels and other symptoms.
Humoral immunity
Antigen-specific immunity mediated by B- and plasma-cell production of circulating immunoglobulins.
Imaging studies
Safe tests like X-rays, CAT scans, and MRI that produce detailed pictures of the body's organs.
Immune system
The body system including white blood cells and lymph nodes that protects the body from disease.
Immunoglobulin (Ig)
An antibody of one of several types (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM) produced by the immune system.
Immunotherapy
A treatment that stimulates the body's own immune system to fight cancer cells.
Interferon
Cytokine that interferes with the propagation of viruses and fills other immunological roles.
Interleukin (IL)
Cytokines (IL-1 to IL-15) that permit communication among white blood cells and other tissues.
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML)
A rare cancer in which too many immature blood cells are made in the bone marrow, usually in children under 2.
Leukemia
Cancer of the white blood cells, which are also referred to as leukocytes.
Lymph nodes
Round bumps that act as filters to remove germs, containing lymphocytes to fight infection.
Lymphatic system
The network of tissues and organs that carry lymph throughout the body.
Lymphocyte
A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies to fight off germs and stop infections.
Lymphoma
Cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, including lymph nodes and bone marrow.
Macrophages
Large tissue phagocytes that secrete cytokines and interact with T-cells to present antigens.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A test using magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of body structures.
Malignant
Another word for cancerous and aggressive growth.
Metastasis
The spread of cancer from the original site to other parts of the body.
Neuroblastoma
A rare disease where a solid tumor is formed by immature nerve cells called neuroblasts.
Neutrophil
A type of white blood cell, the body's main defense against illness and infection.
NK (Natural Killer) cells
Specialized T-cells that identify and eliminate foreign or nonself cells.
Oncogenes
Genes that cause cells to grow; mutations can lead to abnormal growth and cancer.
Oncologist
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Palliative care
Special care that concentrates on easing pain and discomfort rather than providing a cure.
Pathologist
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and classifying diseases by studying cell samples.
Phagocyte
A blood cell that ingests and destroys foreign particles, bacteria, and cell debris.
Plasma cells
Antibody-producing cells that have matured from antigen-stimulated B-cells.
Platelets
Tiny cells in the blood that help blood clot and stop bleeding.
Primary site
The original organ or area in the body where cancer begins.
Quality of life
A person's mental and emotional well-being and ability to carry out everyday activities despite health problems.
Radiation oncologist
A doctor who specializes in using radiation to kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy
High-energy radiation from X-rays or gamma rays used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Radiologist
A doctor who specializes in reading and interpreting X-rays and scans.
Red blood cells (RBCs)
Cells that deliver oxygen to all parts of the body, also called erythrocytes.
Relapse
The reappearance of cancer after it has been treated.
Remission
When cancer symptoms disappear or are significantly reduced.
Sarcoma
A tumor that grows in the body's connective tissue, like muscle, cartilage, or bone.
Side effects
Unwanted reactions to medicine or therapy, such as hair loss or fatigue.
Specificity
Property of the immune system that enables it to recognize and respond to molecularly unique antigens.
Stem cells
Cells found in bone marrow that can develop into any of the three types of mature blood cells.
T-cells (or T-lymphocytes)
Thymus gland-dependent lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity.
Testicular cancer
Cancer that begins in the testicles, almost always curable if caught early.
Tumor
Abnormal body cells grouped together in a mass, classified as benign or malignant.
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)
Cytokine that stimulates cytotoxicity and inhibits lipoprotein lipase activity.
Ultrasound (Sonography)
A test using sound waves to take a look inside the body instead of X-rays.
Urologist
A doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract.
White blood cells (WBCs)
Leukocytes that are part of the germ-fighting immune system, attacking viruses and bacteria.
Wilms tumor
A cancerous tumor that originates in the kidneys.
X-ray
Safe procedures that use radiation to take pictures of internal areas of the body.