Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) — ANC refers to the percentage of the total white blood cell count that is made up of cells called neutrophils. Neutrophils are particularly important because they defend our bodies against infection.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) — ALL is a disease in which large numbers of malfunctioning lymphocytic (infection-fighting) blood cells are made by the body. It is most often diagnosed in children. Signs of the disease include fever, pale skin, loss of appetite, fatigue, bone pain, and recurrent infection.

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) — AML is a disease in which the bone marrow produces white blood cells that cannot carry out normal function. Signs of the disease include bleeding gums, anemia, fatigue, fever, bone pain, and repeated infections.

Adjuvant chemotherapy — Adjuvant chemotherapy is chemotherapy given after surgery, when there is no visible cancer but there is a risk that there are still cancer cells left in the body.

Advocacy — Advocacy is actively becoming informed and involved, and standing up for what you believe in. You can advocate, for example, to change a policy changed, or to obtain additional funding for a program.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplant — An infusion of bone marrow or stem cells from a donor.

Alopecia — Alopecia is hair loss. Chemotherapy and sometimes radiation may make patients lose some or all of their hair during treatments. The most common area involved is the head, although other body hair can also be affected.

Anemia — Anemia is a lower-than-normal number of red cells in the blood. Red blood cells are important because they carry oxygen from the lungs to all other cells in the body.

Antibiotic — An antibiotic is a medication used to fight germs or bacteria that cause infection. Chemotherapy can make patients more at risk for infection. Antibiotics are given to treat an infection.

Antiemetic — An antiemetic is a medication used to stop or help prevent nausea and vomiting, common side effects of some chemotherapy.

Autologous bone marrow transplant — During an autologous bone marrow transplant, patients' own bone marrow or stem cells are given to them after they have received high-dose chemotherapy.

Biopsy — A surgery performed to remove tissue for examination in order to determine whether cancer is present.

Bone Marrow — The fatty substance at the center of bones that aide in creating red and white blood cells, and platelets.

Cancer — Any group of diseases whose symptoms are due to the unrestrained growth of cells in one of the body organs or tissues.

Carcinoma — Cancer that begins in the internal tissues.

Carcinoma in situ — A cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body or invaded nearby tissue. Carcinoma in situ, an early form of cancer, is highly curable.

Chemo Brain - A common side effect of anemia-related fatigue where chemo temporarily affects the nerve cells in the brain.

Chemotherapy — The use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. A person on chemotherapy may take one medication or a combination. Most often these medications are given by vein using intravenous (IV) infusion. Some can be taken by mouth or given in a shot.

Clinical trials — Tests of new and promising ways to treat cancer. The goal of all clinical trials is to find better treatments to fight cancer. Clinical trials can test new surgical procedures, radiation therapies, and drugs.

• Phase 1 clinical trial — The stage of drug development when the investigational product is first researched in humans and when drug safety is determined. Usually a small number of healthy volunteers, but occasionally patients, participate in these studies.
• Phase 2 clinical trial — The stage in which drug effectiveness is determined particularly in patients with the targeted medical condition. These studies are aimed at assessing short-term safety and therapeutic dose-range (minimum and maximum doses), and determining short-term side effects and risks associated with the investigational product. Usually a moderate number of patients (100-250) participate in these studies.
• Phase 3 clinical trial — The stage in which large-scale safety and effectiveness are ascertained in a larger number of patients who ultimately will receive the investigational product. These studies are aimed at demonstrating short- and long-term safety and efficacy, and assessing overall therapeutic value as well as determining the benefit/risk relationship of the investigational product.
• Phase 4 clinical trial — These studies are performed after the investigational product is approved for a medical condition by Health Canada to gather additional data about the product.
• Protocol — A set of strict rules or guidelines to follow during a clinical trial. These rules include the clinical trial start and finish dates, blood tests and x-rays required, and interviews and questionnaires to complete. A protocol has been called a "recipe" for how to conduct a clinical trial.
• Study arm — Study arms are the options for treatment in a clinical trial. For example, one arm of a study may be those patients who take the research drug, while another arm of the study may be those who take the standard-of-care drug. A study may have multiple arms.
• Blind studies — In a single-blind study, patients are assigned to a study group (either research drug, "standard-of-care" drug, or standard-of-care drug plus placebo) but do not know which group they are in. In a double-blind study, neither the patient nor the doctor knows which study group the patient is in. This reduces the effects of prejudgment by patients and doctors.

Combination chemotherapy — Using more than one anticancer medication together, with the goal of destroying more cancer cells.

Complete blood count (CBC) — The CBC is a test that determines the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood.

Constipation — Constipation is difficulty passing stool. It can also refer to a decrease in the normal frequency of bowel movements. It may be accompanied by gas, pain, or pressure in the abdomen.

Cultures — Laboratory tests that encourage the growth of microorganisms for the purpose of identifying and diagnosing an infection.

Cycle — Chemotherapy can be given in a variety of time arrangements, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. Chemotherapy is generally given in cycles. A cycle can last 1 or more days but usually lasts 3 or 4 weeks.

Diagnosis — Identification of a condition or disease based on the signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, procedures, history, and physical examination of the patient.

Diarrhea — Bowel movements that occur more frequently and are more liquid in consistency than normal. Chemotherapy, medication, radiation, and infection may cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can also be caused by medications given to prevent nausea or by antibiotics given to treat or prevent infection.

Edema — An abnormal buildup of fluid in body tissue.

Electrocardiography (EKG) — An EKG records the electrical activity of the heart. "Leads" (wires) are placed on the chest and the extremities.

Erythropoietin — A naturally occurring hormone secreted by the kidneys that stimulates the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen and carbon dioxide through the bloodstream to and from all cells in the body. The bone marrow in cancer patients does not respond as well to the erythropoietin and red blood cell production will often decrease.

Erythropoietin-Stimulating Agent (ESA) – Prescription medication that contains erythropoietin.  It stimulates the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.

Fatigue — Fatigue means feeling tired, weak, sleepy, forgetful, or worn out, and having no energy to go about your daily routine. Fatigue is commonly caused by cancer treatments, but can also result from the disease itself. Fatigue is also often present in patients with anemia.

Gene — Cells contain genes, which are pieces of DNA that contain information for making proteins. Genes contain information on hereditary characteristics such as hair color, eye color, and height, as well as whether one is at higher risk for developing certain diseases.

Grade — Grade is the measurement of a cancer, reflecting how abnormal the cells look under a microscope. There are several grading systems for cancer, but all divide cancers into those with:

• Least abnormality (grade 1 or well differentiated)
• Intermediate features (grade 2 or moderately differentiated)
• Greatest abnormality (grade 3 or poorly differentiated)

A specialist called a pathologist performs the grading by examining the biopsy specimen. Knowing the grade is important because higher-grade cancers tend to grow and spread more quickly and have a worse prognosis. A cancer's nuclear grade is based on features of the central part of its cells, the nucleus. The histologic grade is based on features of individual cells as well as how the cells are arranged together.

Growth factors — A substance that is normally produced in the body that is involved in cell division, maturation, or survival. Growth factors may also be produced in a laboratory to mimic the growth factors naturally produced by the body. These synthetic growth factors may be used as biologic therapy to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer or lessen side effects of treatment.

Hematocrit (Hct) — A blood test that measures the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream. The lower the hematocrit, the lower the number of red blood cells in the blood. A person with a low hematocrit may have anemia.

Hematology — The study of the blood and disorders of the blood.

Hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb) — The part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to other organs in the body, such as the brain and the heart. It is a protein that makes blood red, contains iron, and carries oxygen to all the body's muscles and organs. A person with a low Hb level may have anemia.

Hormones — Chemicals secreted by glands. Hormones circulate in the bloodstream and control certain cellular actions.

Hospice — An organization or agency that provides care for people with end-stage diseases, when no therapy can cure the cancer or put it into remission. Hospice services aim to provide comfort and support.

Immune system — The body's defence system against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. The immune system includes white blood cells and protective barriers such as the skin and mucous membranes. The principal organs of the immune system are the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph system.

Immunotherapy — A type of therapy that stimulates the immune system to help fight cancer. Immunotherapy may also be used to lessen side effects of treatment. Immunotherapy is sometimes referred to as biological therapy.

Infection — An invasion of microorganisms that have the ability to multiply and produce disease.

Inflammation — The body's response to an infection, irritation, or injury. The tissue may swell or become red.

Informed consent — A document that outlines an entire procedure or research study. It describes the procedure or study, including possible risks and benefits. Signing the informed consent means you understand and agree to the procedure or participation in the study.

Infusion — A process of delivering medications, fluids, or blood products into the body through the bloodstream. A needle is used to gain access through a vein, and a catheter with tubing is used to deliver the fluid.

Intravenous (IV) — Inside the veins. An intravenous medication is delivered into the body through a vein.

Lymph nodes — Lymph nodes are small, oval glands found throughout the body. They act as filters and fight infection. Cancer cells often spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system.

Lymphedema — A condition in which excess lymphatic fluid collects in tissues, causing swelling, numbing, pain, or a limited range of motion in extremities. This often occurs when many lymph nodes are removed for the treatment or staging of cancer, or lymph nodes are treated with radiation therapy. Lymphedema most often occurs in the arms if lymph nodes under the arm are removed or radiated, or in the legs if lymph nodes in the groin are removed or radiated.

Malignant — Malignant means that a tissue has cancer cells present; it also refers to a cancerous disease.

Mastectomy — Surgical removal of breast tissue. There are several different types of mastectomies: modified radical mastectomy, partial mastectomy, simple mastectomy, and prophylactic mastectomy.

Melanoma — A cancer that starts in the skin cells. Melanoma is more serious than other cancers of the skin because it spreads easily to other cells in the body. Symptoms include changes in size, shape, or color of a mole; bleeding from a mole; or a mole that feels itchy, hard, lumpy, swollen, or tender to the touch. Melanoma can also appear on the body as a new mole.

Metastasis — The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.

Mucositis — Inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Oral mucositis refers to inflammation of the lining of the mouth. Mucositis may involve sores, swelling, pain, and redness.

Myelosuppression — Myelosuppression occurs when the bone marrow slows production of blood cells. This results in fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets available to perform their normal functions in the body. Chemotherapy can cause decreased bone marrow function. Most often, myelosuppression refers to the loss of white blood cells.

Nadir — Nadir is the lowest point to which blood counts drop after chemotherapy. When referring to the nadir, doctors are usually referring to the nadir of a patient's white blood cell count, which usually occurs about 7 to 10 days after receiving chemotherapy.

Neoplasm — An abnormal growth of tissues from a single cell. A neoplasm can be cancerous or noncancerous. Cancer is sometimes called a malignant neoplasm.

Neutropenia — Neutropenia occurs if there is a lower-than-normal number of neutrophils (infection-fighting white blood cells) in the blood. It is a common side effect of chemotherapy treatment. Neutrophils fight infection, so a person with a low neutrophil count will be more at risk for developing infection. Doctors check the number of neutrophils when they measure the white blood cell count; the result is often referred to as the ANC, or absolute neutrophil count.

Neutrophil — The most common type of white blood cell. Neutrophils help the body fight infection. Since the most common type of white blood cell is the neutrophil, a low white blood cell count usually indicates that the neutrophil count is low. It is easier to get an infection and harder to recover from an infection when the number of neutrophils in the bloodstream is low.

Oncologist — A doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer.

Oncology — The branch of medicine that focuses on the study and treatment of cancer.

Pathology — The study of the causes and characteristics of disease.

Peripheral neuropathy — A possible side effect of some chemotherapy, characterized by numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet.

Placebo — A pill or infusion that has no active ingredients but looks just like a regular pill or infusion.

Platelets — One of the three types of cells made in the bone marrow. The main function of platelets is to aid in clotting the blood following an injury.

Prognosis — A prediction of the likely outcome of a disease based on the current health of the patient and the usual course of the disease.

Protocol - A formalized plan for treatment.

Radiation — The use of radioactive substances for the diagnosis or treatment of diseases.

Radiologist — A doctor who specializes in the practice of radiology.

Radiology — A branch of medicine that focuses on the use and study of radioactive substances to treat and diagnose disease.

Recurrence — The return of a primary cancer that previously showed no signs of activity.

Red blood cell (RBC) — Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow and released into the blood. They circulate in the blood and carry oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from every cell in the body.

Refractory — When a disease is said to be refractory, it means that it is unaffected by treatment.

Regimen — A plan of treatment, including doses, scheduling, and duration of treatment.

Regression — The shrinkage of a cancer or a decrease in the signs and symptoms of the cancer in response to treatment.

Relapse — The recurrence of disease after an apparent recovery.

Remission — The disappearance of a cancer, as determined by clinical evaluation, resolution of symptoms, or both. Complete remission is the disappearance of all signs of cancer after treatment. Partial remission is a notable decrease in cancer cells, but not their complete disappearance, in response to therapy.

Side effect — A change in a person's condition caused by taking a drug. For example, common side effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Stage — Staging is a method of determining the extent of the cancer, or how far the disease has spread. The stage is determined after performing a series of diagnostic tests, which may include x-rays, scans, and sometimes surgery. Knowing the stage of the cancer will help your doctor decide the best treatment course.

Subcutaneous injection — An injection that is made just beneath the skin with a very small needle.

Symptom — A sign or indicator of a disease or illness.

Thrombocytopenia — The scientific name for a low platelet count. A low platelet count may cause you to experience bruising or excessive bleeding.

Transfusion — An intravenous (IV) infusion of blood or blood components.

Tumor — A collection of cells that appears as a lump, mass, or swelling.

Tumor markers — Chemicals in the blood that are associated with particular kinds of cancer. These chemicals can be measured to help doctors diagnose cancer and evaluate the effectiveness of a cancer treatment. A rise in the level of a marker could mean the cancer is growing; a drop in the level could indicate the treatment regimen is effective.

Ultrasound — A test used for diagnosis and assessment. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create a picture of the structures inside the body.

Vascular — Having to do with the system of veins and arteries that carry blood through the body.

White blood cell — A white blood cell is one of the three main types of blood cells. White blood cells are responsible for fighting infection. There are several kinds of white blood cells including monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

X-ray — A test used for diagnosis and assessment. During an x-ray, a small amount of radiation passes through the body and leaves an image of the shape of the internal organs on film.