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H

harvest

The removal of a donor's bone marrow prior to bone marrow transplant.

hematologist (hem-uh-tahl-o-jist)

A doctor who specializes in diseases of the blood and blood-forming tissues.

hematology

The study of blood and blood forming organs.

hematology/oncology (HEM/ONC)

The branch of medical science that treats disorders of the blood, blood forming tissues and tumor cells.

hematoma (hem-uh-to-ma)

A collection of blood outside a blood vessel caused by a leak or an injury; a bruise.

hematuria

Blood in the urine; urine may be pink, red, or brown (coke colored).

hemoglobin

The substance in red cells which carries oxygen.

hemorrhage

A general term for loss of blood brought about by injury to the blood vessels or by a deficiency of certain necessary blood elements such as platelets.

hemorrhagic cystitis

Painful, frequent bloody urination.

hematocrit

The percentage of red blood cells

heparin

A drug that decreases the clotting tendency of blood; often used to prevent clotting in central line catheters.

hepatitis

An inflammation of your liver usually resulting in jaundice.

Hickman® catheter

See Broviac® catheter.

 

"HICKMAN and/or BROVIAC are registered trademarks of C.R. Bard, Inc. and its related company, BCR, Inc."

 

hives

Itching welts caused by an allergic reaction.

HL-A - human leukocyte antigens

Antigens that appear on white blood cells as well as cells of almost all other tissues. By typing for HL-A antigens, donors and recipients of white blood cells, platelets, and organs can be "matched" insuring good performance and survival of transfused and transplanted cells.

Hodgkin's disease

A type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system and arises in a lymph node. Named for the doctor who first identified it

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hospice

A special kind of care for people in the final phase of illness, their families and caregivers.

hydration

Defines your condition with regard to body water; may be dehydrated, well hydrated, or excessively hydrated (edematous)

hyper

Prefix meaning "more than" normal.

hyperalimentation (hy-per-al-eh-men-TAY-shun)

Being fed intravenously, supplying all the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins, when you are unable to eat on your own.

hypercellular

More than the normal number of cells.

hyperglycemia

Elevated blood sugar.

hypertension

High blood pressure.

hypo

Prefix meaning "too little."

hypocalcemia

Too little calcium in the blood.

hypocellular

Less than the normal number of cells.

hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar.

hypokalemia (Hypocalemia)

Too little potassium in the blood.

hypotension

Low blood pressure.

I

ice blanket

A blanket cooled with ice water or a refrigerant on which you lie to reduce your temperature.

iliac crest

The top edge of your hip bone from which marrow is usually taken for diagnosis of blood cell diseases.

ileus

Severe constipation.

I-Med (IV pumps)

A machine that regulates the rate of blood transfusion, infusion of chemotherapy or fluids for hydration.

immune system

The complex system by which your body resists infection by microbes such as bacteria or viruses and rejects transplanted tissues or organs. The immune system may also help the body fight some cancers

immunity

The state of your body's defenses against a particular infection or possibly against a certain cancer.

immune reaction

A reaction of normal tissues to substances recognized as "foreign" i.e. not self.

immunizations

Vaccines given to help your body resist disease.

immunosuppression (im-mune-no-suh-PREH-shun)

A state in which your immune system does not respond adequately. This condition may be present at birth, or it may be caused by certain infections (such as human immunodeficiency virus or HIV), or by certain cancer therapies, such as cancer-cell killing (cytotoxic) drugs, radiation, and bone marrow transplantation.

immunotherapy (im-mune-no-THER-uh-pee)

Treatments that promote or support your immune system's response to a disease such as cancer.

implantable port (Port-a-Cath, Infuse-as-port or Mediport)

A venous access device that implants a system for delivery of fluids, medicines, or blood directly into a vein. The entire device is surgically implanted under the skin and can be used for an extended period of time.

incubation period

The period between exposure to a germ and the first sign of illness (i.e. chicken pox, from 8 to 21 days)

indwelling catheter (Broviac or Hickman)

A central line surgically placed (usually in the chest) and inserted into a large vein in your neck for to administer medications, IV fluids, and blood products. May also be used to draw blood for testing.

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infection

Invasion of the body by disease producing organisms.

infectious disease

A disease caused by germs; one that can be passed from one to another. Cancer is not an infectious disease.

inflammation

The triggering of local body defenses resulting in the outpouring of defensive cells ("polys") from the circulation system into the tissues. Frequently associated with pain swelling.

informed consent

A legal document that explains a course of treatment, the risks, benefits, and possible alternatives; the process by which patients agree to treatment. If you are under 18 years of age, your parents or legal guardian must also sign this form.

infusions

The introduction of a fluid into a vein.

injections

Injections may be given intramuscularly (into a muscle), intravenously (into a vein), subcutaneously (just under the skin) or intrathecally (into the spinal column space.)

intern

A physician in the first year of training following graduation from medical school.

intrathecal (IT)

Within the spinal column. IT medicine is one given directly into the spinal column.

intravenous (IV)

The administration of a drug or fluid directly into the vein.

intravenous pyelogram (IVP) (in-tra-ven-us pie-eh-lo-gram)

A special kind of x-ray procedure where a dye is injected into the bloodstream. The dye travels to the kidneys, ureters and bladder and helps to clearly outline these organs on the x-rays. Referred to as IVP.

investigational drugs

Drugs being studied by clinical investigation to ascertain the value of these drugs as treatment for special types of cancer.

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