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Alkaloid
A member of a large group of chemicals that are made by plants and have nitrogen in them - some alkaloids have been shown to work against cancer.
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Alkylating agents
A class of cytotoxic drugs that damage DNA, causing the cell to undergo apoptosis. Particularly effective against rapidly dividing cancer cells, they are not targeted and also affect normal cells, which can lead to significant toxicity.
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Amine
A chemical substance in the body whose structure is similar to ammonia; a family of hormones (adrenal medulla - epinephrine & norepinephrine) or neurotransmitters in brain (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin).
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Anaemia
Not enough red blood cells.
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Antacids
Medications that balance acids and gas in the stomach.
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Antibodies
A protein produced by the body's immune system that recognizes and helps fight infections and other foreign substances in the body.
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Antibody
A protein produced by plasma cells, derived from B-cells in the bone marrow, and capable of recognizing specific disease-causing antigens to fight infection. In MM, antibody-producing cells produce large amounts of myeloma or “M” protein.
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Anti-emetic
Medication that prevents or alleviates vomiting.
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Antigen
A specific part of an organism that can stimulate production of a unique antibody.
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Antigens
A foreign substance that causes the immune system to make a specific immune response.
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Antipsychotic medication
Drugs to treat psychosis. These include atypical or typical antipsychotics.
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Aspergillus
A family of fungi commonly found in soil - certain types may cause disease, especially in people who have suppressed immune systems.
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Astenic
Slender, weak, and lightweight.
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B cells
White blood cells that develop into plasma cells in the bone marrow and produce antibodies.
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Biofeedback
A procedure that uses electrodes to help people gain awareness and control of their pelvic muscles.
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Biopsy
The removal of a tissue sample for examination under the microscope. The tissue sample can be called a biopsy.
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Biotechnology
A set of biological techniques developed through basic research and now applied to research and product development.
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Bloating
A condition in which the abdomen feels full and tight; often caused by excessive intestinal gas.
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Blood cancer
A malignant growth, usually caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In cancer, abnormal cells usually proliferate without responding to the normal signals that stop growth, and spread to tissues and organs beyond the original site.
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Blood transfusion
The transfer of blood or blood products from one person to another.
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Bone marrow
The soft, spongy tissue in the centre of bones that produces white and red blood cells and platelets.
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Bone marrow biopsy
The removal of a sample of tissue from the bone marrow with a needle for examination under a microscope.
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Boosting
Using a medication to increase blood levels of another medication.
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Bortezomib
The first anti-cancer treatment to block the proteasome enzyme complex. In MM cells, this unique mechanism of action can lead to apoptosis in a number of ways.
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Bronchitis
Infection of the airways (bronchi) leading to the lungs.
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Cardiovascular
Relating to the heart and blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries); the circulatory system.
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CD4
Another name for a "helper" T-cell. In humans, it is a receptor for HIV, enabling the virus to gain entry into its host.
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Central Nervous System
The brain and the spinal cord. Receives sensory impulses from the rest of the nervous system and then controls the body's response to those impulses.
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Cervical cancer
A malignant disease in the neck of the womb located at the top of the vagina.
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Cervical cap
A small latex contraceptive barrier device that fits over the cervix. It is smaller than the diaphragm and is held in place by suction.
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Chemotherapy
Use of cytotoxic drugs to treat disease, such as cancer.
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Clinical trial
A research study designed to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials (also called medical research and research studies) are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people.
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Compliance
The extent to which a patient follows the recommendations of a doctor or healthcare professional, particularly with respect to medication or other treatments.
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Cryptococcus
Cryptococcus is a genus of fungus.
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CT
Computerised Tomography. A specialised form of x-ray imaging where cross-sections of the body are generated.
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CT scan
A type of imaging scan that shows the internal structure of a person’s brain.
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Cytotoxic
Refers to a drug or other agent that destroys or damages tissue cells.
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Dermatophytes
A parasitic fungus that attacks and causes a disease of the skin.
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Dexamethasone
A powerful oral steroid drug that has an anti-cancer effect and has an important role in the treatment of MM.
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Diaphragm
A small latex dome filled with a spermicidal (sperm killing) cream and placed in the vagina to cover the cervix, the opening to the uterus, thus preventing sperm from entering.
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Digestive tract
The organs that are involved in digestion, including the mouth, salivary glands, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, and large intestine.
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Dyspepsia
Digestive upset, which can include nausea, vomiting, and heartburn.
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Ectopic pregnancy
A pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus. The large majority of ectopic (tubal) pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube, but some can occur in the abdominal cavity as well.
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EEG
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a test in which electrodes are placed on the scalp to measure electrical activity produced by the brain.
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Endoscopy
The use of an endoscope, a flexible, lighted tube, for examining the inside of the body.
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EPS or extrapyramidal symptoms
A group of side effects from medication. Includes symptoms such as uncontrollable restlessness (i.e. finding it difficult to stand still), muscle stiffness, shaking and other uncontrollable movements.
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Ergotamine
An alkaloid derived from ergot that is less toxic than ergot; causes constriction of blood vessels and is used to treat migraine.
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Erythrocytes
Red blood cells that contain haemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen to all of the cells of the body. Other blood cells are ‘leukocytes’ (white blood cells) and ‘thrombocytes’ (platelets).
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Erythropoietin
A hormone produced by the kidneys, which acts on the bone marrow to stimulate red blood cell (RBC) production. In MM, bone marrow is often damaged, and patients become anaemic because they cannot make enough RBCs.
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Fertilisation
The fusion of sperm and egg.
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Follicle
A small sac in the ovary in which the egg develops.
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Frontotemporal dementia
A group of rare brain disorders that involves shrinking (atrophy) of tissues in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Symptoms include disturbances in speech, personality and behavior, and usually begin between ages 40 and 64. The memory of people with FTD isn't impaired initially
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Gastric
Relating to the stomach.
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Genome
The total genetic composition of an individual. The complete genetic information possessed by an organism.
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Genomics
The study of genes and their function.
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Haemodialysis
A method used to filter the blood when the kidneys are not working properly. It involves the blood passing from the person’s body through a tube to a machine called an artificial kidney or dialyser. The blood flows past a membrane in the machine, which allows waste products to be remove from the blood, across the membrane into a special fluid on the other side. The purified blood is then returned to the body.
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Haemoglobin
The part of the red blood cells that carries oxygen.
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Haemoglobin
Oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
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Haemorrhage
The loss of large amounts of blood from the blood vessels.
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Hallucinations
A sensory experience in which a person can see, hear, smell, taste, or feel something that is not there.
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Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)
A combination of anti-HIV medications designed to keep the virus from making copies of itself, while minimizing potential side effects and pill burden.
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Hoarseness
Abnormally rough or harsh-sounding voice caused by vocal abuse and other disorders.
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Hot flush
A sudden flash of heat particularly affecting the face, neck and chest and lasting from a few seconds to several minutes.
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Huntington's chorea
Huntington's disease or Huntington's chorea is an inherited disorder characterized by abnormal body movements called chorea, and loss of memory
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Hypercalcaemia
Abnormally high calcium levels in the blood caused by the breakdown of bone in MM. Hypercalcaemia can be highly damaging to the kidneys.
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Immunoglobulins
Protein produced by a plasma cell that is generated in reaction to a foreign protein (antigen), thus producing an immunity against that protein; also known as an antibody.
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Informatics
Storing, manipulating, analyzing and visualizing information using computer systems.
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Insomnia
Insomnia is characterized by an inability to sleep and/or to remain asleep for a reasonable period.
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In vitro fertilisation
Procedure where fertilizations occurs outside the body. The resulting embryos are then placed back into the uterus.
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Kaposi's sarcoma
A type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels that develop into skin lesions or occur internally.
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Keratin
A tough protein that is the primary constituent of hair, nails and skin.
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Lewy body dementia
A dementing illness associated with protein deposits called Lewy bodies, found in the cortex of the brain.
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Long-acting injectable
Medication or treatment that can be given by injection and which is active over a long period of time.
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Lymphoma
A cancer of the lymphatic system, a network of thin vessels and nodes throughout the body. Its function is to fight infection.
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Malignant
Cancerous cells capable of invading nearby tissue and spreading to other parts of the body.
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Mania
A state of extreme overactivity and high mood. It is seen as the opposite of depression.
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Meningitis
A bacterial infection of the membranes surrounding the brain.
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Metabolism
A summary of all chemical events in our body's cells.
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Monoclonal antibody
An antibody produced in a laboratory from a single clone that recognizes only one antigen.
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Monoclonal protein
Abnormal proteins found in the blood or urine of MM patients and seen as the “M” spike or peak on electrophoresis. It is measured for diagnosis and monitoring treatment.
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Mood-incongruent delusions
A sensory experience in which a person can see, hear, smell, taste, or feel something that isn’t there.
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M protein
Abnormal proteins found in the blood or urine of MM patients and seen as the “M” spike or peak on electrophoresis. It is measured for diagnosis and monitoring treatment.
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MRI
A diagnostic procedure that uses a magnetic field to provide three-dimensional images of internal body structures.
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Mucosal linings
Inner lining of the mouth, nasal passages, etc.
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Multiple myeloma
Blood cancer caused by the proliferation and spread of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow, causing bone destruction at many sites (hence “multiple” myeloma).
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Mutate
Change form.
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Neurodegenerative
Describes a process which degrades neurones (nerves) so they do not conduct messages optimally.
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Neurologist
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system.
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Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition of the nervous system that usually begins in the hands or feet with symptoms of numbness, tingling, burning and/or weakness.
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Neurotransmitters
Chemicals released by the nerve cells in the brain from their nerve endings. These chemicals are involved in establishing the communication amongst the neurons or nerve cells and play a significant part in schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder…
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Neutropenia
Reduction in a subset of white blood cells leading to an increase in susceptibility to infection.
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non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Blood cancer of the lymphatic system, which usually spreads throughout the body.
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Oesophageal stricture
A narrowing of the oesophagus.
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Oesophagitis
Inflammation of the oesophagus.
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Oesophagus
The canal down through which solids and fluids pass from the mouth to reach the stomach.
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Osteoporosis
A decrease in bone density.
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Ovum
A female sex cell, or egg.
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Pallor
An unnatural lack of colour in the skin (due to bruising, sickness or emotional distress)
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Palpitation
A rapid or strong heartbeat.
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Pathology
An abnormal condition or biological state in which proper functioning is prevented.
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Pelvic floor muscles
Muscles at the base of the pelvis that help support the bladder, uterus, urethra, vagina and rectum.
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Pelvis
The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones.
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Peripheral Nervous System
A division of the nervous system consisting of all nerves not part of the brain or spinal cord. It carries messages from all over the body to the central nervous system and vice versa.
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PET
Positron Emission Tomography . An imaging technique used for measuring blood flow and metabolism within body tissues, including the heart and brain.
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Pill burden
Refers to the total number of pills that need to be taken.
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Plasma cells
The B-cell that produces antibodies, and is usually found in the bone marrow. In MM, PCs proliferate and grow uncontrollably.
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Pneumonia
An inflammatory infection that occurs in the lung.
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Prophylactic
Preventative.
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Protease
An enzyme that degrades proteins.
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Proteasome
An enzyme complex found in all cells, responsible for breaking down proteins involved in cell cycle regulation. Proteasome inhibition disrupts this process, leading to apoptosis or cell death.
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Proteasome inhibitors
A drug that blocks the action of proteasomes. A proteasome is a large protein complex that helps destroy other cellular proteins when they are no longer needed. Proteasome inhibitors are being studied in the treatment of cancer.
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Psychosis
Any major mental disorder that involves change of personality and loss of contact with reality.
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Psychosis
Mental state involving hallucinations (disturbances of perception) and/or delusions (false yet strongly held personal beliefs that result from an inability to separate real from unreal experiences).
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Psychotic symptom
Symptoms of psychosis or the mental state involving hallucinations (disturbances of perception) and/or delusions (false yet strongly held personal beliefs that result from an inability to separate real from unreal experiences).
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Pulmonary embolism
A blood clot from another part of the body that travels to the lungs.
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Radiation
Energy transported through electromagnetic waves.
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Radiation therapy
Treatment with high-energy rays (such as x-rays) to kill or shrink cancer cells.
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Recombinant
Made through genetic engineering. By putting human or plant genes into the genetic material of bacteria or yeast cells, these micro organisms can be turned into "factories" to make proteins for medical uses.
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Refractory
Disease that does not respond to treatment.
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Regurgitation
Return of stomach content eg food into the mouth.
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Relapse
The reappearance of a disease after a period of improvement.
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Remission
When there is no evidence of cancer on examination. ‘Remission’ is used instead of ‘cure’ because doctors cannot be sure that the body is completely free of cancer.
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Renal
A term that means having something to do with the kidneys. Renal failure is kidney failure.
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Resistance
In cancer, the ability of a tumour or cancer cells to withstand the effects of treatment that should normally kill them.
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Response
The disappearance of all signs of cancer in response to treatment. In the case of MM, a CR means that the M-protein has been completely eliminated. This does not always mean the cancer has been cured.
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Reverse transcriptase
An HIV enzyme that the virus requires to reproduce itself.
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Seborrhoeic dermatitis
A skin disorder affecting the scalp, face and trunk causing scaly, flaky, itchy, red skin. It particularly affects the sebum-gland rich areas of skin. It is thought to be caused by a fungal infection caused by the yeast, Pityrosporum ovale in individuals with decreased immunity and increased sebum production.
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Seizure
Abnormal electrical discharge of brain tissue, often resulting in abnormal body movements or behaviours
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Serotonin
One of the neurotransmitters used by the nerve cells in the brain. Together with dopamine, this neurotransmitter is believed to play a part in schizophrenia.
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Somatosensory
Refers to sensory signals from all tissues of the body including skin, viscera, muscles and joints.
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Spermicide
A substance that acts to kill or immobilize sperm
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Sphincter
A ring-shaped muscle that relaxes or tightens to open or close a passage or opening in the body.
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Sphincters
Specialised muscles that control an opening, such as the anal sphincter.
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Stem cells
Used in this context for blood stem cells. Immature cells that give rise to all the normal components of blood. Stem cells are normally found in the bone marrow, but some will circulate in, and can be collected from the blood.
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Stem cell transplantation
A transfusion of bone marrow stem cells which are used to rescue marrow after very high doses of chemotherapy. Stem cells are circulating and can be mobilized so as not to require bone marrow harvesting (involves collecting stem cells with a needle placed into the soft center of the bone, the marrow).
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Stimulant medication
A drug that increases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and produces a sense of euphoria or awakeness. Stimulants can be used as recreational drugs or therapeutically to increase alertness. They are also used and sometimes abused to boost endurance and productivity as well as to suppress appetite. Examples of stimulants are caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines and cocaine.
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Stool impaction
Severe constipation.
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Thinking disorder
Disorder that affects people's ability to think normally. This can often be an associated symptom in other mental disorders such as: schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
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Thrombocytopenia
A reduced number of platelets in the blood, often as a result of disease or chemotherapy. Very low platelet levels can lead to severe bleeding.
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Thrombosis
A blood clot formed in a blood vessel or in the heart.
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Thyroid
A gland located beneath the voice box (larynx) that produces the thyroid hormone. The thyroid helps regulate growth and metabolism.
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Tonic-clonic seizures
In a tonic-clonic seizure, the person loses consciousness, the body stiffens, and then they fall to the ground. This is followed by jerking movements. After a minute or two, the jerking movements usually stop and consciousness slowly returns.
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Trigeminal nerve
The main sensory nerve of the face and motor nerve for the muscles of mastication.
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Tuberculosis
A bacterial infection that most commonly affects the lungs.
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Tumour
A mass of cells caused by excessive cell production. They may be benign or malignant.
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Ulcer
An open sore of the skin or mucus membrane characterized by sloughing of inflamed dead tissue.
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Ulcer
An open sore of the skin or mucus membrane characterized by sloughing of inflamed dead tissue.
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Urethra
The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
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Urogynaecologists
A doctor who specialises in women's bladder and urine problems and other conditions of the urinary and reproductive systems.
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Urologists
A doctor who specialises in diseases of the male and female urinary systems and the male reproductive system.
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Valve
Fold in the lining of an organ that prevents fluid from flowing backward.
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Ventricles
cavities in the brain. In people with schizophrenia these are often enlarged and are believed to play a contributing factor to the illness.
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Wheezing
A whistling noise in the chest which occurs during breathing when the airways are compressed.
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White blood cells
A general term for different types of blood cells that form part of the body’s immune system.
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WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) is an agency of the United Nations to coordinate international health activities and to help governments improve health services.
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X-rays
Electromagnetic radiation of very short wavelength, and very high energy
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X-rays
Electromagnetic radiation of very short wavelength, and very high energy.
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