Glossary
Learn More About Stem Cell Transplants: Chat with Us | Email Us
Glossary of Stem Cell Transplant Terminology
A
Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant – A transplant involving the infusion of a donor’s genetically matched bone marrow or stem cells to produce new, healthy marrow.
Anemia – A blood condition characterized by a decreased production of red blood cells by the bone marrow. A deficiency of oxygen- carrying red blood cells may produce symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness.
Antibody (Immunoglobulin) – A protein produced by the white blood cells (leukocytes) to battle foreign substances, such as bacteria, that enter the body. The body produces millions of different antibodies, each equipped to target and destroy a specific antigen.
Antigen – A substance capable of stimulating an immune response by triggering the production of antibodies.
Apheresis – A painless procedure, similar to a blood transfusion, designed to remove certain components of a person’s blood, like platelets or stem cells, and return the remaining blood product back into the person’s body.
Autologous Stem Cell Transplant – A transplant involving the infusion of a patient’s own bone marrow or stem cells to produce new, healthy marrow.
B
Blood Cell Separator – A machine, used in apheresis, which distinguishes the small fraction of stem cells in the blood from all other blood cells, so that the stem cells may be collected for transplant.
Bone Marrow – A spongy tissue found in the large bones of the body, like the hipbones and pelvis, responsible for the majority of the body’s production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Bone Marrow Aspiration – A procedure involving a fine needle used to remove a sample of liquid bone marrow for review under a microscope.
Bone Marrow Biopsy – A procedure involving a biopsy needle used to obtain a cylindrical core sample of bone and marrow tissue for review under a microscope.
C
Central Line – A small, soft plastic tube inserted into the large vein above the heart through which medication can be given and blood drawn without multiple needle sticks.
Chemotherapy – A drug or combination of drugs used to kill cancer cells.
Cryopreservation – A process by which something, such as cells, is frozen to preserve it for later use.
E
Engraftment – The process in which transplanted stem cells or bone marrow cells migrate to the bone marrow and begin producing healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Erythrocyte – A red blood cell. Erythrocytes are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body.
G
Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) – A side effect of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant that occurs when new bone marrow or stem cells (the graft) reject or attack the patient's body (the host).
Granulocyte – A type of white blood cell responsible for engulfing and digesting micro-organisms. Granulocytes consist of three types of phagocytic, or cell-eating, cells: basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils.
Growth Factors – Substances sometimes given to transplant patients to stimulate the production of blood cells, or to stem cell donors to mobilize stem cells into the bloodstream for collection.
H
Hematologist – A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating medical diseases of the blood and blood-forming tissues.
Hematological Oncologist – A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating malignancies, or cancers, of the blood and blood- forming tissues.
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) – A distinguishing series of proteins that exist on the surface of every white blood cell to help the cells discriminate between “friendly” cells and “foreign” matter like bacteria and viruses. HLA “matching” plays a vital role in allogeneic, or unmatched, bone marrow and stem cell transplants.
I
Immune System – An intricate system of cellular and chemical responses designed to protect the body from foreign substances and prevent recurrent illness by counteracting previous diseases through immunity. Bone marrow represents the body’s primary producer of immune cells.
Integrative Care – At CTCA, a patient meets with both an oncologist specializing in conventional therapies as well as practitioners of complementary and alternative medicines such as nutritional, physical, psychological and spiritual therapies.
Intravenous – Through a vein.
L
Leukocyte (White Blood Cell) – The general name for a white blood cell. Leukocytes are responsible for maintaining the immune system’s response to foreign substances and infection. Three different types of leukocytes exist: monocytes, granulocytes and lymphocytes.
Lymph Node – A small, bean-shaped gland responsible for filtering germs and other foreign substances from the body. Lymph nodes are clustered together with other nodes in the underarms, abdomen and groin.
N
Neutropenia – A blood condition caused by a large decrease in a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. This decrease can occur when leukemia cells infiltrate and overcrowd the bone marrow, or during the high- dose chemotherapy regimen administered before a bone marrow transplant.
Non-Myeloablative (“Mini”) Stem Cell Transplant – A method used to prime a patient for a stem cell transplant by employing lower doses of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to damage the leukemia-producing bone marrow prior to administering the transplant cells. The lowered doses of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy permit older patients, or patients who are unable to receive the standard high-dose therapy with an option that may be easier to tolerate.
P
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant (PBSCT) – A method of separating and collecting stem cells from the circulating blood stream using a process called pheresis. The stem cells are immediately frozen after collection, allowing the patient to receive higher-than-conventional doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation to destroy the leukemia-producing bone marrow. After completing high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the frozen stem cells are prepared and reintroduced to the patient via an intravenous, or IV, infusion.
Platelets – Cells that clot the blood to prevent bleeding.
Preparative Regimen – The chemotherapy or radiation given before transplant.
R
Radiation Oncologist – A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat disease.
Red Blood Cells – Cells that carry oxygen throughout the body (also called erythrocytes).
S
Stem Cell – A young, precursor cell that originates in the bone marrow and serves as the “parent cell” to all other blood cells in the body. Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets all evolve from stem cells.
T
T-Cell – A type of lymphocyte responsible for attacking and destroying virus-infected cells, foreign tissue and tumor cells. Cytotoxic T- cells target a particular antigen and secrete toxic chemicals to kill the foreign cell or tissue. Other T-cells, called Helper T-cells, activate lymphocytes like B- cells and NK cells to help the body fight off invading viruses, micro- organisms and malignant cells.
Thrombocyte (Platelet) – A tiny, disc-shaped blood cell responsible for controlling abnormal or excessive bleeding.
Total Body Irradiation (TBI) – Radiation given to the entire body.
W
White Blood Cells – Cells that fight infection.