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  1. Get help
  2. A- Z jargon buster

A to Z jargon buster

AA

Aplastic anaemia

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A rare bone marrow failure disease caused by low blood cell counts.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 12th June, 2018

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Alemtuzumab

A type of therapy

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An antibody based therapy that is aimed at Lymphocytes (A type of white blood cell and key part of the immune cell that attacks the stem cells in the bone marrow). This therapy is commonly used as part of the preparatory treatment before the stem cell transplant.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 20th May, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Anti-fungals

Anti-fungal treatments

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A number of drugs that can be used to help fight/stop fungal infections. Examples of these drugs are amphotericin, posaconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole and nystatin.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 30th May, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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ATG

Antithymocyte globulin

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ATG is a purified serum that suppresses the immune system to allow the bone marrow time to recover. It is produced by injecting animals (horse or rabbit) with white blood cells called lymphocytes. The animal then makes antibodies which are collected and purified to produce globulin.

ATG can either be used ahead of a stem cell transplant (rabbit) or with ciclosporin as a stand-alone treatment to let the bone marrow recover.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 11th June, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Bone marrow aspirate

A small sample of bone marrow taken for examination

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A small bit of bone marrow that is taken under local anaesthetic from either the hip bone or breast bone. The sample is then examined by microscope for abnormalities in the young blood cells.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 30th May, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Bone marrow biopsy (trephine)

Bone marrow biopsy and trephine sample

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A small section of bone is taken under anaesthetic from either the hip or breast bones for examination. This is usually performed at the same time as the aspirate is taken.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 20th May, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Cannula

A temporary thin tube

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A temporary thin tube put into the vein for the giving of fluids or intravenous drugs, or for taking of blood samples.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 20th May, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Central venous catheter

A central catheter/line

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A central venous catheter, more commonly called a central line or HICKMAN line is a small flexible plastic tube put into the large vein somewhere above the heart. This is used for giving fluids/drugs or for taking blood samples.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 12th June, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Ciclosporin

An immunosuppressant drug

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Is an immunosuppressant drug which can be used for the treatment of aplastic anaemia.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 11th June, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Cord blood

Umbilical cord blood

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Blood from the umbilical cord taken at the time of birth. This source of blood is very high in stem cells and can be used as a stem cell source for a stem cell transplant.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 30th May, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Cytopenia

A reduction in the number of mature blood cells

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There are several types of cytopenia depending on what type of blood cells are depleted:

  • Anaemia - reduced red blood cells
  • Neutropenia - reduced white blood cells
  • Thrombocytopenia - reduced numbers of platelets
  • Pancytopenia - deficiency in all types of blood parts.

Published: 16th October, 2018

Author: Grazina Berry

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Definitive therapy

A type of curative therapy

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Treatment with the potential of restoring the bone marrow function so that patients can become transfusion-free, at less risk of infection/bleeding and live a more normal lifestyle.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 11th June, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Eltrombopag

A type of drug used as part of treatment for aplastic anaemia

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A drug to help stimulate platelets to grow in the bone marrow.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 20th May, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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G-CSF

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor

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A drug designed to help white blood cell production. 

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 20th May, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Hickman catheter

Otherwise known as the 'Hickman line'

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Hickman is a type of central line or central venous catheter used for the giving of drugs or taking of blood.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 11th June, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Hypoplastic

A term used to describe poorly functioning bone marrow

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Bone marrow with very low numbers of young blood cells.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 20th May, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Idiopathic

A disease with no known cause

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In idiopathic aplastic anaemia its causes are unknown.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 20th May, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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MDS

Myelodysplastic syndrome

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A type of blood disorder where the blood cells are defective. The bone marrow cells do not mature, resulting in a low number of working blood cells. MDS is a type of cancer.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 11th June, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Neutropenia

A term used when your neutrophils are low

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If your neutrophil count is between 0.5 and 2.0 you are considered to be neutropenic. If it is lower than 0.5 it is classed as 'severe' neutropenia.

When you are neutropenic you are at a greater risk of infection from bacteria or fungus in foods. It may therefore be necessary for you to follow a 'neutropenic' or 'clean' diet.

Published: 31st July, 2018

Author: Bryony Partridge

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Neutrophils

White blood cells

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The most important and plentiful of the white cells. They are the first line of defence against infections by absorbing and destroying waste or damaging material like disease-producing bacteria.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 12th June, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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PICC Line

Peripherally inserted central catheter

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A PICC line is a long, thin, flexible tube inserted into one of the large veins of the arm above the elbow. The line is then threaded into the vein until the tip of it sits in a large vein just above the heart.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 11th June, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Platelets

Platelet cells

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The blood cell which helps to control and stop bleeding. It is this cell that creates the consistency of blood when we bleed. They are also known as thrombocytes.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 11th June, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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PNH

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria (PNH)

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A type of bone marrow failure where blood cells are destroyed more quickly than normal.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 19th July, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Red blood cell

A key type of blood cell

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The red blood cell contains the red coloured haemoglobin or erythrocytes. It carries oxygen to all the tissue within the body. A lack of this type of cell is known as anaemia. 

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 20th May, 2018

Author: Sean Bottomley

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Read the inspiring story of Tasha Townsend, our Olympic rower, who kicked aplastic anaemia's butt! Read more

Published: 6th April, 2018

Updated: 14th May, 2018

Author: Grazina Berry

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Updated: 8th June, 2018

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Location: Online

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