A to Z of leukaemia: what the words mean

A way of monitoring your health when you have a blood cancer that doesn’t need immediate treatment. You have regular check-ups and you also monitor your own symptoms.

A type of complementary therapy where fine needles are inserted into certain areas of your body.

A fast-growing type of blood cancer that affects blood cells called lymphoblasts.

A rare subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia.

A fast-growing type of blood cancer that starts in blood-forming cells called myeloid stem cells.

A rare subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia.

A rare subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia.

A legal document where you make a record of any treatments you do not want to have in the future (also called a living will).

A document where you make a record of how you would like to be cared for in the future.

Using cells from a donor.

A low red blood cell count.

A medicine to numb part of your body (local anaesthetic) or send you to sleep (general anaesthetic) so you don’t feel any pain during medical procedures.

A medicine to reduce the number of platelets in your blood.

An immune system protein that helps fight infections by sticking to targets on the surface of cells that don’t belong in your body.

A lab-made antibody that sticks to targets on cancer cells, so your immune system can kill the cells.

A lab-made antibody joined to a cancer drug.

A medicine used to treat acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

A medicine used to treat acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

A blood condition that used to be confused with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). It is now called MDS/MPN with neutrophilia.

A condition that happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body.

Using cells from your own body.

A chemotherapy medicine used to treat acute myeloid leukaemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndromes and some other blood cancers.

A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies.

A changed gene found in chronic myeloid leukaemia, some types of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and some other types of blood cancer.

A test to take a small sample of tissue.

A lab-made antibody that sticks to two different targets – one on a cancer cell, and one on an immune cell that can kill the cancer cell.

A period when chronic myeloid leukaemia is growing rapidly or aggressively.

A fast-growing type of cancer that starts in immature blood cells.

Immature blood cells.

A procedure to give you donated blood through a drip into a vein.

The spongy centre of some of your larger bones where blood cells are made.

A test to take a sample of the spongy tissue from the centre of a bone, usually your pelvis.

The gene that codes for the BRAF protein, which helps control growth, development, and survival of cells.

A type of chemotherapy medicine that stops cancer cells in your bone marrow multiplying.

A protein called calreticulin that helps your cells to function normally.

The gene that codes for a protein called calreticulin (CALR).

An illness that happens when abnormal cells grow and divide uncontrollably.

A condition that happens when fluid leaks out of small blood vessels and builds up around your body.

A treatment that involves modifying your own immune cells in a lab so they can recognise and kill cancer cells.

Proteins found on the surface of white blood cells.

A long, thin plastic tube used to give you medicines into your veins or take blood. It enters the skin in your arm or your chest and ends in a large vein near your heart.

Your brain and spinal cord.

The fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord.

Chemotherapy given alongside medicines that use your own immune system to fight disease.

Medicine that kills cancer cells or stops them dividing and multiplying.

Long strands of DNA inside your cells. Each chromosome contains lots of different genes.

Long-term or lasting for a long time.

A slow-growing type of blood cancer that affects blood cells called lymphocytes.

A slow-growing type of blood cancer that starts in blood-forming cells called myeloid stem cells.

A rare type of blood cancer that mainly affects blood cells called monocytes. It can also affect other blood cells.

The period when chronic myeloid leukaemia is growing slowly.

An experienced nurse who has specialised in a particular area of nursing. They can offer you expert care, support, advice and guidance.

Research studies that aim to find out what treatments work best for particular conditions.

Proteins that help your blood clot.

Therapies used alongside your medical treatment to help you feel better physically and emotionally.

When tests and scans can’t find any cancer left in your body.

The treatment you have to get your body ready for a stem cell transplant.

Treatment that aims to kill any leukaemia cells that may be left after induction therapy.

A scan that uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed pictures of the inside of your body.

A chemotherapy medicine.

How well leukaemia is responding to treatment based on the number of bone marrow cells that have a chromosome change.

Lab tests that look at the chromosomes in your cells.

A common virus that is usually harmless. It can cause problems after a stem cell transplant or if you have a weakened immune system.

A type of treatment that aims to reduce the number of cancer cells in your body.

An antibody therapy used to treat multiple myeloma and, sometimes, other types of blood cancer.

A chemotherapy medicine.

A doctor who specialises in skin diseases.

A common lifelong condition that causes your blood sugar level to become too high.

A life-threatening reaction to some cancer medicines. It can happen when white blood cells mature rapidly and release too many immune chemicals.

The genetic code that tells your cells how to grow and behave.

A dose of white blood cells from a healthy donor that you have through a drip into a vein.

A condition when a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21.

A test to check the electrical signals in your heart.

An unborn baby at an early stage of development.

Treatment to help you live as well as possible until you die.

Symptoms that sometimes happen when stem cells settle into the bone marrow after a stem cell transplant.

A non-cancerous skin condition that causes painful red or dark patches. It can look different on different skin tones.

A type of myeloproliferative neoplasm where your body makes too many platelets.

A condition that may affect several members of the same family.

Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that can interfere with your usual activities and doesn’t get better when you rest.

The first treatment you have for your condition.

Another name for first-line treatment.

A section of DNA that tells your cells how to make a particular protein.

A lab test that looks for changes in more than one gene. Different panels test for gene changes linked to different conditions.

Relating to genes.

Changes to genes that can affect the proteins a cell makes. This may change how a cell behaves and grows. They are also known as genetic variants or mutations.

Changes to genes that can affect the proteins a cell makes. This may change how a cell behaves and grows. They are also known as genetic changes or mutations.

A type of arthritis in which small crystals of uric acid form inside and around your joints. This can cause sudden, severe joint pain.

When a stem cell transplant does not work because the donor stem cells do not settle into your bone marrow or start making new blood cells.

When immune cells that grow from donor stem cells mistakenly attack your healthy cells.

A type of white blood cell that helps fight infections.

A type of medicine that boosts your blood cell counts.

The percentage of red blood cells in your blood.

How well leukaemia is responding to treatment based on your blood cell counts.

A doctor who specialises in diseases of the blood and bone marrow.

The branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the blood and bone marrow.

The protein in your red blood cells that transports oxygen around your body.

A very rare slow-growing type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. When you look at them under a microscope, the cells look hairy.

A type of central line that enters the skin in your chest and goes into a large vein near your heart. It’s used to give you medicines or take blood samples.

A natural chemical that carries messages around your bloodstream to control many of your body’s functions.

Protein markers on the surface of cells that your immune system uses to work out what is ‘you’ and what is not.

A chemotherapy medicine that helps lower your blood cell counts.

A chemotherapy medicine.

The cells and systems in your body that protect you from infection.

Lab tests to find out what proteins are on the surface of your cells.

Medicines that lower your immune system.

Treatment that aims to kill as many leukaemia cells as possible.

Your body’s response to an illness, injury or something that doesn’t belong in your body.

Strong treatment that aims to cure your leukaemia. It usually happens in phases, sometimes called induction, consolidation or post-induction, and maintenance.

A protein that helps your body fight viruses.

Having side effects that are hard to cope with.

Chemotherapy given into the fluid around your spinal cord through a needle in your back.

When a chromosome breaks in two places, the broken piece is reversed and then goes back into the chromosome back-to-front.

Targeted medicines that block proteins involved in blood cell production.

A protein that helps regulate blood cell production.

The gene that codes for the JAK2 protein.

A rare slow-growing type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. When you look at them under a microscope, the cells are larger than usual and contain granules.

A group of cancers that usually start in the bone marrow and lead to high numbers of abnormal blood cells.

A procedure to remove some of your white blood cells.

A large organ in your body that sits under your ribs on the right. It helps fight infection and disease, balances your hormones, cleans your blood and processes food.

A test to collect a sample of the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord through a needle in your back.

Small, bean-shaped structures in your neck, armpits, groin and other parts of the body that are part of your immune system. They may become swollen when you are unwell.

A network of tubes, tissues and organs throughout your body, which helps protect you from infection.

A type of white blood cell that helps fight infections.

The time it takes for the number of lymphocytes in your blood to double. It can help work out when you need to start treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

A type of cancer that affects blood cells called lymphocytes in your lymphatic system.

Treatment that aims to reduce the risk of your leukaemia coming back.

A stem cell donor who is not related to you but has a matching tissue type.

A certificate that entitles you to free NHS prescriptions in England.

A temporary disruption in the blood supply to your brain. Also called a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

How well leukaemia is responding to treatment based on the level of changed genes in your blood or bone marrow.

Lab tests that look for particular gene changes in your cells.

A type of white blood cell that helps fight infections.

The gene that codes for a protein that helps control the number of blood cells in your bone marrow, particularly your platelets.

Low levels of leukaemia cells left in your body after treatment. MRD negative means none can be detected.

A scan that uses strong magnets to take detailed pictures of the inside of your body.

Inflammation of the cells lining your mouth and gut.

The healthcare professionals who work together to treat you.

Changes to genes that can affect the proteins a cell makes. This may change how a cell behaves and grows. They are also known as genetic changes or variants.

A type of immature white blood cell.

A type of cancer where your bone marrow produces immature, abnormal blood cells that do not work properly.

Blood cancers that have features of both a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN).

A type of cancer where your bone marrow becomes filled with scar tissue, which stops it making enough healthy blood cells.

Relating to bone marrow.

Blood-forming cells.

A type of cancer that develops from white blood cells in your bone marrow called plasma cells.

A myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) that does not fit into any of the other categories.

Blood cancers that develop when cells in your bone marrow grow out of control and make too many blood cells.

A low level of white blood cells called neutrophils.

A high level of white blood cells called neutrophils.

White blood cells that help you fight inflammation and infection.

Gentler treatment options that usually aim to control your leukaemia rather than cure it.

When a doctor prescribes a medicine that’s approved for one condition to treat a different condition.

Treatment to help relieve symptoms and side effects and improve your quality of life.

Unusual or uncomfortable heartbeat, like an irregular, fast, pounding or fluttering beat.

When there’s less cancer in your body than there was before treatment, but it hasn’t gone completely.

A doctor who specialises in testing blood and tissue samples.

A lab test that looks for particular pieces of genetic code in your cells.

A medicine that alters the way your immune system works and helps stop cancer cells growing and multiplying.

A scan that uses a special dye containing a harmless radioactive sugar and specialised X-rays to take pictures of the inside of your body.

A specialist in medicines and how they work.

A changed chromosome found in chronic myeloid leukaemia, some types of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and some other types of blood cancer.

A type of central line that enters the skin in your upper arm and goes into a large vein near your heart. It’s used to give you medicines or take blood samples.

A type of blood cell that helps your body fight viruses by making a protein called interferon.

A type of blood cell that helps your blood clot and stops bleeding.

A changed gene found in acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

A type of cancer where your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells.

Secondary myelofibrosis (MF) that develops from another type of blood cancer called essential thrombocythaemia (ET).

A serious but treatable condition affecting the brain. It can be a side effect of some cancer treatments.

Early stage myelofibrosis (MF) before your bone marrow becomes scarred.

A way of getting ready for treatment before it starts by improving your general health.

When myelofibrosis (MF) develops in a person who has not had bone marrow problems before.

When cancer does not respond to your first treatment.

The expected outcome of your condition, based on your individual characteristics.

A type of immature blood cell.

A very rare type of blood cancer that affects immature white blood cells called prolymphocytes.

A type of immature blood cell.

A common cancer in men that starts in the prostate gland. This is a walnut-sized gland at the base of the bladder.

The building blocks of every cell, tissue and organ in your body. Your body needs proteins for growth, repair, and to fight infections.

A targeted medicine that blocks a protein called FLT3. It is used to treat some people with acute myeloid leukaemia.

A healthcare professional who uses specialist equipment to take images of the inside of your body. They work as part of a team to diagnose and treat illnesses.

A doctor who specialises in using medical imaging to diagnose, treat and monitor diseases and injuries.

Treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells.

A type of cell in your blood that carries oxygen around your body.

Cancer that does not respond well to your first treatment.

When cancer comes back after successful treatment.

When tests or scans after treatment can find little or no cancer left in your body.

An autoimmune condition that causes your immune system to attack your joints. You may have pain, stiffness and swelling in your joints.

A targeted medicine sometimes used to treat polycythaemia vera, myelofibrosis and graft versus host disease.

Treatment you have if your first treatment is unsuccessful.

When myelofibrosis develops from another myeloproliferative neoplasm MPN, such as essential thrombocythaemia (ET) or polycythaemia vera (PV).

When treatment works at first but then stops working.

A fist-sized organ that sits under your ribs on the left side. It filters and stores blood and makes some blood cells.

Surgery to remove your spleen.

Treatment that replaces damaged or abnormal blood-forming cells in your bone marrow with healthy ones.

Immature cells in your bone marrow that can develop into all the different blood cells your body needs.

Immature cells that can develop into many different types of cells in your body.

Medicines that reduce inflammation and have anti-cancer effects.

A serious medical condition that happens when the blood supply to a part of your brain is suddenly cut off.

Medicine to prevent or treat symptoms or side effects.

A rare, non-cancerous skin condition that causes a high temperature and tender red or purple lumps or patches. This can look different in different skin tones.

A type of white blood cell that recognises and destroys damaged or infected cells.

A targeted medicine sometimes used to treat blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN).

Medicines designed to block specific proteins on cancer cells.

Hearing noises that do not come from an outside source, like a buzzing, ringing or whooshing sound in your ears.

Radiotherapy to your whole body. You might have it as part of conditioning therapy before a stem cell transplant.

Having food through a drip into a vein (or your central line).

When one type of blood cancer develops into another type, usually a faster-growing one.

Having blood or blood products through a drip into a vein.

When part of a chromosome swaps over with part of a different chromosome, or another part of the same chromosome.

A serious side effect of some cancer treatments. It happens if a large number of cancer cells die quickly and release chemicals into your bloodstream.

A protein that helps control the growth and multiplication of cells. If it is abnormal, your bone marrow may make too many white blood cells.

A type of targeted medicine that blocks a protein called tyrosine kinase. This protein is abnormal in some types of blood cancer.

A scan that uses sound waves to look at the inside of your body.

A waste product your body makes when it breaks down chemicals called purines. These are naturally produced in your body and also come from foods or drinks.

A change to a gene that can affect the proteins a cell makes. This may change how a cell behaves and grows. It is also known as a genetic change or mutation.

A simple procedure to remove some of your blood, similar to giving blood.

A targeted medicine sometimes used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia, and sometimes other types of blood cancer.

Blockage of the small blood vessels in your liver. It can sometimes happen after a stem cell transplant.

Cells in your blood that help your body fight infections.

A scan that uses low doses of radiation to take images of the inside of your body.

A targeted medicine that blocks a protein called BTK. It is used to treat some people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.