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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

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Anaemia

A deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells in your body.

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You have anaemia when you don’t have enough haemoglobin (found in red blood cells) in your blood. It can mean that your muscles don’t get as much energy as they need, so you may feel tired or short of breath. 

Published: 4th June, 2021

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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

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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.

Find out more about ATG here.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 4th June, 2021

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Blood cells

Cells within your blood that can do different jobs.

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Blood cells are cells that circulate in the blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Published: 4th June, 2021

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Blood count, full blood count or FBC

A blood test

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This is a blood test that counts the number and type of cells in your blood. 

Published: 4th June, 2021

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Bone Marrow

A material in your bones

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Bone marrow is the spongy material inside your long bones where blood cells are made. 

Published: 4th June, 2021

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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

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Bone marrow biopsy (trephine)

Bone marrow biopsy and trephine sample

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A small sample of bone marrow tissue is taken under local or general anaesthetic from either the hip or breast bone for examination. For AA a bone marrow biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis. 

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 4th June, 2021

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Bone Marrow Transplant / Stem Cell Transplant

A curative treatment for aplastic anaemia

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This is a type of treatment for bone marrow failure diseases such as aplastic anaemia. 

The patient is given drugs such as chemo-therapy and/or ATG before the transplant to weaken the immune system, thus allowing the bone marrow to accept donor stem cells. The healthy stem cells are transfused into the patient. This is the only treatment used in the cure of severe or very severe aplastic anaemia, but it is the most invasive.

Published: 18th May, 2018

Updated: 4th June, 2021

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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

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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

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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

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Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

Often your main point of contact

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A CNS is a highly qualified nurse who specialises in a particular area of healthcare. Your CNS is often your main point of contact for information and advice within your healthcare team. 

Published: 4th June, 2021

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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

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Cyclosporin

A medication

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An immunosuppressant medication given to reduce the problems that your immune system is causing to your bone marrow and allowing it time to recover and start making cells normally again. 

Tacrolimus is a similar drug used for the same reasons. 

Find out more about cyclosporin here.

Published: 4th June, 2021

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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

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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

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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

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Fatigue

A common symptom or side effect

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Fatigue describes a feeling of extreme tiredness which doesn’t go away after rest or sleep. It may be caused by the Aplastic Anaemia itself or it might be a side effect of treatment. 

Published: 4th June, 2021

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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

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Haematology

A clinical speciality

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Haematology is the study of blood diseases.

Published: 4th June, 2021

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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

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Showing 10 of 48

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Tasha's story

Tasha's story

I'm Tasha Townsend, I'm an Olympic rower, and I kicked aplastic anaemia's butt! Read more

Published: 6th April, 2018

Updated: 5th March, 2021

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Comments: 7

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Rikki: my rollercoaster experience of aplastic anaemia

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