AA & MDS Glossary

 

IBMTR

Noun: Abbreviation for International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry.

 

IDIOPATHIC

Adjective: of or having to do with a disease that was not caused or preceded by any other. Self originated; applied to a condition where the cause is not known. 50% of the cases of Aplastic Anaemia are idiopathic. We don't know what caused it.

Greek - idios = individual +

Greek - páthos = a suffering, a disease

 

Ig

Noun: An abbreviation for immunoglobulin .

 

ILIAC CREST

Noun: The edge of the hip bone. The iliac is the upper part of the hip bone. The bone marrow aspirate , trephine and graft transplant are all taken from the iliac.

Latin - ilium = hipbone

 

IL-3

Noun: An abbreviation for interleukin - 3 which is a cytokyne secreted especially by T cells to communicate with the stem cells to get them to multiply and to produce the various blood cells. It would be secreted if there was an micro-organism invasion and more cells were needed. For this reason IL-3 is called a colony stimulating factor .

 

IMMUNE SYSTEM

Noun: A collection of cells and proteins that work to protect the body from potentially harmful, infectious micro-organisms (microscopic life-forms), such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The immune system also plays a role in the control of cancer and is responsible for the phenomena of allergy, hypersensitivity, and rejection problems after transplants.

The immune system has the skin as it's first line of defence but if micro-organisms penetrate it through cuts or the mucous membrane linings of the mouth, throat, eyes, intestines, etc. they soon encounter white blood cells called phagocytes (literally, "devouring cells"), which attempt to destroy them. They also encounter other types of white cells, called the Lymphocytes which are the most competent and versatile group of cells for getting rid of "unwanted guests".

Latin - in = not +

Latin - munis = obliging

 

IMMUNOCOMPROMISED

Noun: A condition in which the immune system is not functioning normally. It occurs during immunosuppressive therapy and in bone marrow transplants. The immune system is weak or not functioning at all when it is immunocompromised.

Latin - in = not +

Latin - munis = obliging +

Latin - com = together +

Latin - promittere = promise

 

IMMUNOGLOBULIN

Noun: Antibodies are often referred to as immunoglobulins. The infecting agents, or antigens are presented to the B lymphocytes by the T lymphocytes , prompting the B cells to mature and produce one of five antibody patterns: Immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, IgM, IgD or IgE.

IgG is the most abundant antibody, making up 75 percent of all those in blood plasma . It is most active in the blood, lymph and intestines. Neutrophils and macrophages have receptor sites for the IgG antibody and so can attach and eat the antibody and its captives when it is ready.

IgG is required by cells which are active in destroying cancer cells, although, unfortunately, the same cells are also involved in transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases.

IgA is an antibody found in the blood serum and in the mucous secretions of the respiratory, urinary, and intestinal organs where exposure to foreign substances is common. It defends the body against micro-organisms by combining with a protein in the mucous. People who suffer from food allergy problems probably have a malfunctioning IgA; they become oversensitive to certain foods which, in any other person, would not be harmful.

IgM is the largest and most primitive immunoglobulin. Its size makes it useful for picking up lots of small antigens, which it can manage 10 at a time. It is particularly important early on in any immune response.

IgD is found in blood serum in small amounts but increases during allergic reactions.

IgE is attracted to cells involved in allergic response and basophils. It is found primarily in the lungs, skin and mucous membranes. It is associated with all forms of allergy, including hayfever, asthma, hives, itching, etc. People who suffer from allergies usually make too much IgE.

Latin - in = not +

Latin - munis = obliging +

Latin - globulus = globe (as in anything rounded like a globe)

 

IMMUNOSUPPRESS

Verb: To use drugs or radiation to suppress the immunological reaction of the body to foreign substances, and to prevent the rejection of grafts or transplants by the recipient's body.

Latin - in = not +

Latin - munis = obliging +

Latin - sub = down +

Latin - premere = to press

 

IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS

Noun: Various drugs which suppress or destroy the bodies immune system . With AA and MDS and bone marrow transplants, common immunosuppressive drugs are ALG / ATG , Cyclosporine and Cyclophosphamide . These particularly kill off the white cells and lymphocytes.

 

IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE THERAPY

Noun: The handling of Aplastic Anaemia with the use of the above mentioned drugs. It is considered standard initial treatment for patients over thirty years of age and for younger patients without a matched family donor. Response rates are 70% - 80%. The treatment is generally tolerated well and usually requires only brief hospitalisation. However, responses are less complete and the need to repeat treatment is more common than in patients treated with bone marrow transplantation. Also, the risks of developing leukaemia or MDS or PNH later in life are higher.

 

INCAPACITY BENEFIT

Noun: If you are not able to work due to illness, you should be entitled to this benefit. See Disability Benefit .

 

INTERLEUKIN

Noun: One of several cytokines (hormone like proteins secreted by cells to regulate and communicate with other cells nearby) that act between leukocytes . There are eight interleukins currently recognised, and some are involved in functions such as the recognition of antigens , enhancing the action of macrophages and the production of other cytokines.

Another example is interleukin 2, which promotes the production of a type of interferon which is used in the treatment of skin cancer. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is also secreted by Helper T-cells to authorise killer T-cells to attack an invader in the immediate vicinity.

Latin - inter = between +

Greek - leukós = white

 

INTERFERON

Noun: A protein produced by cells infected by a virus, which inhibits the multiplication of the invading viruses. It protects similar cells for several days from infection by the same or other viruses. Some forms of interferon inhibit viral replication and suppress cell proliferation while other forms of interferon activate macrophages and killer T cells . It is also secreted by the T-cells and all other leukocytes to communicate with one another. Interferon is released by T-cells and macrophages to guide Natural Killer cells to a target site.

Latin - inter = between +

Latin - ferir = strike

 

INTRAVENOUS

Adjective: Of, for, or into a vein or veins such as an intravenous injection.

Latin - intra = inside of +

Latin - vena = vein

 

JAMA

Noun: Journal of the American Medical Association. A prestigious magazine for the medical profession reporting on recent developments in drugs, research and findings.

 

JAUNDICE

Noun: An unhealthy condition that may result in a GVHD if the new white blood cells attack the liver. Jaundice is caused by too much of the livers digestive secretions, called bile, getting into the blood stream. As bile is greenish-yellow, the skin, eyes and body fluids turn yellowish in colour. Vision may be disturbed.

Old French - jaune = yellow

 

LEUKAEMIA

Noun: A progressive, often fatal disease of the blood-forming organs where white blood cells and their precursors are being created and developed in the blood and bone marrow . It is accompanied by a reduced number of red blood cells and platelets due to the high volume of the defective white blood cells being produced, resulting in anaemia and increased susceptibility to infection and haemorrhaging . Other typical symptoms include fever, pain in the joints and bones and swelling of the lymph nodes , spleen and liver. Leukaemia is classified clinically on the basis of (a) the duration and character of the disease (acute or chronic ), and (b) the cell line involved, i.e. myeloid (also called myelocytic , myeloblastic , granulocytic or lymphoid (also called lymphatic , lymphoblastic , lymphocytic ). The incidence of the disease is growing and the increase is only partially explained by increased efficiency of detection. Treatment is primarily with chemotherapy but this may also be combined with radiotherapy (radiation treatment), removal of the spleen and bone marrow transplants . Antibiotics are commonly required.

Greek - leukós = white +

Greek - haîma = blood

 

LEUKOCYTE

Noun: One of five recognised types of white blood cells. They are small, colourless cells that have a nucleus and destroy bacterial and viral infections, have immunity reactions creating antibodies , play a role in handling allergies, and clean up dead cells and foreign material in the blood.

Greek - leukós = white +

-cyte = a cell from Greek - kytos = anything hollow.

LEUKOPENIA

Noun: An abnormal decrease in the number of leukocytes or white blood cells. Usually a decrease in the granulocytes.

Greek - leukós = white +

Greek - penia = poverty

 

LOCUS

Noun: A genetic term meaning the position of a gene on a chromosome such as the "A" locus "B" locus or "DR" locus. It's a word used in HLA tissue typing .

Latin - locus = place

 

LYMPH

Noun: A nearly colourless liquid in the tissues of the body, somewhat like blood without the red corpuscles. Lymph is derived from parts of the blood which have filtered through small blood vessel walls and is conveyed back to the bloodstream by the lymphatic vessels .

Latin - lympha = clear water

 

LYMPHADENOPATHY

Noun: Any disease condition of the lymph nodes .

Latin - lympha = clear water +

Greek - aden = gland or kernal +

Greek - páthos = disease, suffering, emotion

 

LYMPHATIC

Adjective: Of, carrying, or secreting lymph such as a lymphatic system, lymphatic disease or lymphatic vessel.

Latin - lympha = clear water

 

LYMPHATIC VESSELS

Noun: A network of small vessels, resembling blood vessels, by which lymph circulates throughout the body carrying food from the blood to the cells, picking up fats from the small intestines, and carrying body wastes to the blood; the lymph system.

Latin - lympha = clear water

 

LYMPH NODES (or glands)

Noun: Any one of the bean-shaped, gland like bodies occurring along the paths of the lymphatic vessels . A lymph gland (or node) is composed of a network of connective tissue and is active as a source of lymphocytes. Lymph glands filter out bacteria and other harmful micro-organisms from lymph . These nodes also make lymphocytes. There are many lymph nodes clustered in the knees, groin, stomach area, under the arms, at the sides of the neck and around the face. They also play a role in the elimiation of toxic waste from tissues and are an integral part of the immune system. Fluid is pumped through this system via the muscles, not the heart. A sluggish lymphatic system is most often due to a lack of exercise and will drastically reduce one's immune system. When the body is fighting off an infection, the lymph glands become swollen with the additional burden of trying to clear and clean the system.

The Lymphatic System

Latin - lympha = clear water

 

LYMPHOBLAST

Noun: An early developmental cell that will mature into a lymphocyte .

Latin - lympha = clear water +

Greek - blastós = germ or sprout

 

LYMPHOCYTE

Noun: One of the nearly colourless cells of the blood and lymphatic system, produced in part by the bone marrow but mostly in the lymph nodes and thymus gland . The number of lymphocytes are generally not affected in a patient with aplastic anaemia or myelodysplasia because they are bone marrow diseases. Lymphocytes have a nucleus and are chiefly responsible for immunity. They defend the body against infection by producing antibodies or toxic substances that destroy viruses and other foreign bodies. B cells and T cells are lymphocytes .

In patients who have AA or MDS , whether they have the immunosuppressive therapy or the bone marrow transplant, drugs such as ALG / ATG , Cyclosporine and Cyclophosphamide will be given to kill off the lymphocytes, particularly the T cells.

Here is a picture of 2 Lymphocytes in with some red blood cells and a few platelets.

Latin - lympha = clear water +

Greek - kytos = anything hollow.

 

LYMPHOID

Adjective: 1. Of or having to do with lymph or lymphocytes. 2. Of or having to do with the tissue of the lymph glands. 3. Something that is like the tissue of the lymph glands.

Latin - lympha = clear water +

Greek - oeides = in the form of

 

LYMPHOKINES

Noun: Lymphokines are one of the hormonelike chemical messengers used by T-cells to authorise B-cells to begin manufacturing antibodies. T-cells will also secrete lymphokines to lure more T-cells to an infection site.

Latin - lympha = clear water +

Greek - kineín = to move