Glossary Terms

Abdominal

The body area which includes the stomach, intestines and other digestive organs.

Acute

A sudden onset of symptoms or disease.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

A type of cancer of the blood. In AML white blood cells called granulocytes or monocytes become cancerous. AML usually develops quickly, over days to weeks. It is the most common type of leukaemia in adults. It is most often diagnosed in older people, and is most common in people over 65 years old.

Adenocarcinoma

A malignant tumour originating in glandular tissue.

Adenoma

A benign tumour formed from glandular tissue.

Adjuvant therapy

Treatment, usually chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiotherapy, often given following surgery. It is given to increase the likelihood of killing all cancerous cells.

Advanced communication

A skill needed by staff that have to give complex or upsetting news to patients and carers. It means being able to speak with patients about their feelings, to listen, to judge how much information a patient wants to know, and to give clear information with empathy.

Aetiology

The study of cause(s) of an illness or disorder

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)

Clinical healthcare professions who are not doctors, nurses or pharmacists.

Alopecia

The loss of hair which may include all body hair as well as scalp hair.

Ameliorated

Improvement in condition.

Anaemia

A condition which causes a decrease in the number of red blood cells. Symptoms may include feeling tired, weak and shortness of breath.

Anaesthetic

Can be local or general. Local anaesthetic is a medical term used to describe how a cream or injection can be used to cause temporary numbness in a specific area of the body during certain tests or procedures. General anaesthetic is a medical term used to describe how a specialist doctor (anaesthetist) uses drugs to put patients to sleep during an operation.

Analgesic

Any drug that relieves pain.

Analysis of Variance

A statistical technique which is used to compare differences between groups.

Anaplastic

Cancer cells that divide quickly and do not look like normal cells.

Anorexia

Loss of appetite.

Antibody

A substance formed by the body to help it fight infection.

Anti–emetic

Something that can help or prevent sickness.

Anus

The opening at the end of the rectum where solid waste leaves the body.

Atrophy

Wasting of the muscles

Autoimmune

An immune response by the body against one of its own tissues, cells, or molecules.

Axilla

The armpit.

Axillary surgery

An operation used to treat patients with breast cancer. It involved removal of the lymph nodes in the armpit. It helps to stage the disease and helps the surgeon to decide if the patient needs any other treatments such as chemotherapy.

Axon

Part of the neuron which carries signals to specific cells such as muscle cells.