|  | Acute leukaemia
A rapidly progressive cancer of the blood of sudden onset, characterised by the uncontrolled proliferation of immature blood cells which take over the bone marrow and usually spill into the blood stream. If left untreated it is fatal within a few weeks or months.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
A rapidly progressing cancer of the blood, affecting the type of white blood cell known as lymphocytes. Approximately 600 new cases are diagnosed every year in the UK. It is the most common form of childhood leukaemia.
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) or acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia
A rapidly progressing cancer of the blood affecting immature cells of the bone marrow, usually predominantly of the white cell population. Approximately 1,600 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK. It is much more common in adults than in children.
Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL or APML)
This is one form of acute myeloid leukaemia. The condition responds particularly well to a drug called all trans retinoic acid which causes differentiation of the leukaemia cells which then die.
Amyloidosis
Amyloidosis is not a specific disease but the term for a group of conditions in which an abnormal substance called amyloid is deposited throughout the body. Amyloid is produced by plasma cells and amyloidosis may occur in association with multiple myeloma.
Aplastic anaemia
A rare disorder characterised by the failure of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. It may occur as an inherited condition (see Fanconi's anaemia) or, more often, the disease develops later in life. This is called acquired aplastic anaemia. It leads to a severe shortage of all types of blood cell causing tiredness, susceptibility to infection and serious problems with bleeding.
Burkitt's lymphoma
A rapidly growing type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which usually affects the abdomen and requires immediate treatment. It responds well to specially designed chemotherapy.
Cancer
Diseases due to the uncontrolled growth and division of cells, often called malignant disease or neoplasia.
Chronic leukaemia
A cancer of the blood of gradual onset and generally of slow progression. It may be diagnosed by chance following a routine blood test and prior to the appearance of clinical symptoms.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
A slowly progressing form of leukaemia, characterised by an increased number of the type of white blood cells known as lymphocytes. With about 2,700 new cases occurring each year in the UK, it is the most common form of leukaemia in the UK and occurs predominantly in late middle age onwards. It has variable symptoms and course, but may be diagnosed by chance before the patient develops any clinical symptoms of disease.
Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) or chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL)
A leukaemia which is initially slowly progressing. There are approximately 500 new cases each year in the UK. It is characterised by the presence of large numbers of abnormal, mature granulocytes, circulating in the blood.
Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML)
A form of myelodysplasia characterised by an increase in the number of circulating white blood cells of the monocyte type.
"Common" Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (cALL)
A subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia affecting cells early in the B-lymphocyte lineage which accounts for about 80% of all cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Down's syndrome
A congenital condition in which some or all of the body cells have three copies of chromosome 21. This form of trisomy is associated with an increased risk of leukaemia.
Eosinphil leukaemia <
Some patients with high eosinophil counts and abnormal bone marrow are classed as having eosinophil leukaemia. It may not always be obvious whether the diagnosis should be eosinophil leukaemia or hypereosinophilic syndrome. Some doctors consider eosinophil leukaemia to be a form of chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Erythroleukaemia
A rare cancer of the blood affecting immature red blood cells. This is a subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia, FAB M6.
Essential thrombocythaemia
A rare myeloproliferative disorder characterised by the production of large numbers of abnormal platelets. Symptoms include haemorrhage or thrombosis. Treatment varies according to the severity of the disease.
Extra nodal lymphoma
Literally "outside the lymph nodes", but exhibiting the characteristics of lymph node cancer. A term used to describe the extent and site of disease.
Fanconi anaemia
A rare inherited type of aplastic anaemia which carries an increased risk to the patient of developing leukaemia. It may be treated by a bone marrow transplant.
Gammopathy
Normally the gamma globulins which make up antibodies are a mixture of a huge number of different types. When a gamma globulin is one particular form this is called monoclonal gammopathy. It arises from a clone of lymphocytes or plasma cells.
Hairy cell leukaemia
A rare leukaemia related to chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and characterised by the presence of abnormal cells with "hair- like" projections. It occurs in middle age onwards. Therapy, if needed, is usually with chlorodeoxyadenosine.
Hodgkin's disease
A type of lymphoma. There are approximately 1,300 new cases per year in the UK.
Hypereosinophilic syndrome
In some patients the number of eosinophils in the blood is markedly and persistently raised with no obvious cause such as a parasite infection. These patients have either hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) or eosinophil leukaemia.
Idiopathic or auto-immune thrombocythaemia purpura (ITP)
A common disorder characterised by shortage of platelets with possible resultant bruising and spontaneous bleeding. Anti-platelet antibodies are detectable in some cases. It may present in either an acute (more common in children and following an infection) or a chronic form (more common in adults).
Large granular lymphocytic leukaemia (LGL)
A chronic leukaemia of T- cells that is usually associated with a decrease in other white cells and platelets or anaemia. LGL is a rare disease with important clinical differences from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Leukaemia
From the Greek meaning "white blood". Often referred to as cancer of the blood. Divided into many different types, some acute, others chronic. Characterised by the widespread uncontrolled proliferation of large numbers of abnormal blood cells, usually of the white cell lineages, which take over the bone marrow and often spill out into the blood stream. Other organs that may also be affected include lymph nodes, spleen, liver, testes, meninges, gums, and skin.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome
An inherited family trait carrying an increased risk of cancer during childhood and early adulthood.
Lymphoma
A cancer which originates in lymphoid tissue, including the lymph glands, liver, spleen, bowel, bone marrow, brain and occasionally other organs. The disease results from the uncontrolled production of lymphocytes. The general term includes over thirty different forms of the disease but there are two main categories: Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Mast cell leukaemia
The mast cell is related to the monocyte/macrophage cells of the immune system and is found in most tissues. Excessive production of mast cells may be seen in the conditions systemic mastocytosis and mast cell leukaemia.
Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance
Different types of gamma globulin are produced to deal with different infections. Exclusive production of one form of gamma globulin is called monoclonal gammopathy. If there is no evidence of disease such as myeloma or lymphoma to explain the presence of a monoclonal gammopathy it is called monoclonal gammopathy of unknow significance (MGUS).
Monoclonal antibodies
Antibodies are made by cells belonging to a single clone. Current research is investigating their clinical application for targeted delivery of drugs to leukaemic cells and to purify cells used for bone marrow and stem cell transplants.
Monocytic leukaemia
Cancer of the blood due to proliferation of cells of the monocyte series.
Multiple myeloma
A cancer caused by uncontrolled proliferation of the white blood cells called plasma cells within the bone marrow. The malignant cells do not usually accumulate in the blood and the tumour growth is restricted to the bones. This leads to bone destruction and is often associated with kidney problems.
Myelodysplasia or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
A group of closely linked conditions in which the process of blood cell formation is disturbed by a failure of the immature cells to grow and develop normally. Sometimes referred to as "Pre-leukaemia", although only a minority of patients will ever develop leukaemia. Treatment may be based on supportive therapy or involve the use of chemotherapy.
Myelofibrosis or myelosclerosis
A disease in which the bone marrow is taken over by fibrous tissue and is no longer able to produce adequate numbers of mature blood cells. Often accompanied by enlargement of the spleen. It is occasionally found in cases of acute myeloid/lymphoid and chronic myeloid leukaemia. The primary form is classified as a myeloproliferative disorder.
Myeloproliferative disorders
A group of disorders characterised by the over- production of blood cells by the bone marrow. One or more of the cell lineages may be involved and treatment varies according to the type and severity of the disease. See essential thrombocythaemia and polycythaemia rubra vera.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
A group of lymphomas which differ in important ways from Hodgkin's disease and are classified according to the microscopic appearance, cytogenetics and immunology of the cancer cells. The disease is classified as either indolent (slowly growing) or aggressive (rapidly growing) and may be treated in a variety of ways depending on the exact diagnosis.
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH)
A rare disorder characterised by an increased rate of break- down of red blood cells and decreased production of white blood cells and platelets. This leads to excretion of the red blood pigment, haemoglobin and its breakdown products, in the urine. There may be thrombosis of veins. The cause is unknown and the severity of disease variable. There is an association with aplastic anaemia.
Plasma cell leukaemia
The end stage of myeloma when immature plasma cells are found circulating in the blood.
Plasmacytoma
A localised area of myeloma-like disease, either in a bone or in the other tissues of the body. If there is only one such area it is called solitary plasmacytoma.
Polycythaemia rubra vera (PRV)
A condition characterised by the over-production of red blood cells by the bone marrow. Diagnosis is based on an increased number and volume of red cells. The total number of white blood cells and platelets may also be increased. The spleen is usually enlarged. Treatment will vary according to the age of the patient and severity of the disease. This condition carries a small risk of developing into acute leukaemia.
Pre-leukaemia
A general term referring to some bone marrow disorders, such as myelodysplasia which carry an increased risk of the patient developing acute leukaemia. The expression is misleading because only a minority of patients with these conditions develop leukaemia.
Prolymphocytic leukaemia (PLL)
A variant of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in which the malignant cells have a more immature appearance. The disease requires chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and sometimes removal of the spleen (splenectomy).
Refractory anaemia
A form of myelodysplasia which primarily affects red cell production by the bone marrow. In some cases the developing red cells show an internal ring of iron granules. These cells are called sideroblasts. refractory anaemia (RA) and refractory anaemia with sideroblasts (RAS) are the most common forms of myelodysplasia.
Refractory anaemia with excess blasts (RAEB)
A form of myelodysplasia characterised by the build-up of immature white blood cells (blasts) in the bone marrow. If the immature cells are particularly numerous it may indicate a chance of transformation to acute leukaemia and the condition is called RAEB in transformation (RAEBt).
Richter's syndrome
Development of an aggressive, often localised lymphoma in a patient who has chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Secondary leukaemia
A leukaemia arising from either previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy or as the development of a pre-existing condition, such as myelodysplasia or polycythaemia rubra vera.
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia
A rare disorder which has features in common with an indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and with multiple myeloma. The progression of the condition more closely resembles indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. |
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