Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ACCELERATED RADIOTHERAPY	A type of radiotherapy treatment in which the total dose of is given over a shorter period of time compared with standard radiotherapy
ANAEMIA	A condition in which there is a shortage of haemoglobin
ANTIBIOTIC	A type of drug used to treat and prevent bacterial infections
ANTIBODY	A protein produced by white blood cells in response to the presence of a specific antigen
ANTIGEN	A foreign substance (e.g. viruses, bacteria, chemicals, pollen) that triggers the body’s immune system to produce antibodies in order to fight it off
ANTIVIRAL	A type of drug used to treat viral infections
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT	A medical procedure to replace stem cells that have been destroyed by some types of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Healthy stem cells are taken from the bone marrow of a donor or the patient prior to starting chemotherapy or radiotherapy
BLOOD TRANSFUSION	A procedure in which whole blood or parts of blood are put into a patient’s bloodstream through a vein
CHEMOTHERAPY	A type of cancer treatment using medicine that kills the cancer cells by damaging them so that they cannot reproduce and spread
CHRONIC LEUKAEMIA	A slowly progressing cancer that starts in blood-forming tissues such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of white blood cells to be produced and enter the blood stream
CLINICAL TRIAL	A study that compares the effects of one treatment with another
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY	A scan using x-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of your body
CONTAGIOUS	Spread from one person to another
CORONAVIRUS	A group of viruses that cause disease in mammals and birds but may also affect humans
COVID-19	A disease caused by a type of coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2
COUNSELLOR	A person trained to give guidance on personal or psychological problems
CURATIVE (TREATMENT)	A treatment that is intended to cure the cancer
DIABETES	A condition in which the kidneys make a large amount of urine. Usually refers to diabetes mellitus in which there is a high level of sugar in the blood
DIETICIAN	A qualified healthcare professional who is an expert on diet and nutrition
ENDOCRINE THERAPY	A type of anticancer therapy that reduces the supply of hormones to hormone receptor-dependent cancers
ERYTHROPOIETIN-STIMULATING AGENT	Medications which stimulate the bone marrow to make red blood cells
FATIGUE	Overwhelming tiredness
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA	A condition in which there is fever and an abnormally low level of white blood cells which increases the risk of infection and may require intensive treatment and a hospital stay
GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM	The system of organs responsible for getting food into and out of the body and for making use of food to keep the body healthy – includes the oesophagus, stomach and intestines
GROWTH FACTOR	A type of drug used to increase the production of white blood cells in order to reduce the risk of infection
HAEMOGLOBIN	A protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen
HIV	Human immunodeficiency virus, a virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition that leads to progressive failure of the immune system, allowing life-threatening infections and cancers to thrive
HYPO-FRACTIONATED (RADIOTHERAPY)	A type of radiotherapy treatment in which the radiotherapy is delivered in fewer, larger doses
IMMUNE-RELATED SIDE EFFECTS	Side effects of immunotherapy caused by the increased activity of the immune system
IMMUNE SYSTEM	The organs and processes of the body that help to prevent and fight off infections
IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS	Types of drugs that suppress or reduce the strength of the body's immune system
IMMUNOTHERAPY	A type of cancer treatment that stimulates the body’s immune system to fight the cancer
INTENSIVE CARE	A unit of a hospital that provides continuous monitoring and treatment of seriously ill patients
INTRAVENOUS	Administered into a vein
LYMPH	The fluid that circulates throughout the lymphatic system; it contains infection-fighting white blood cells
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM	A network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body
LYMPHOCYTE	A type of white blood cell that forms part of our immune system
LYMPHOMA	A type of blood cancer that develops in a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes
MAINTENANCE THERAPY	Treatment that is given to help keep cancer from coming back after it has disappeared following the initial therapy
MALARIA	A mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Symptoms typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting and headaches
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM	A group of healthcare workers who are members of different disciplines (e.g. oncologist, nurse specialist, physiotherapist, radiologist) and provide specific services to the patient. The activities of the team are brought together using a care plan
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS	A chronic illness where the immune system attacks the protective layer around nerve fibres, causing inflammation and scarring, making it difficult for the brain to send signals to the rest of the body. Main symptoms of multiple sclerosis are fatigue and difficulty walking
MYELOMA	A type of blood cancer that develops in a type of white blood cells called plasma cells
NEOADJUVANT THERAPY	Treatment given as a first step to shrink a tumour before the main treatment, which is usually surgery
PALLIATIVE	Treatment given to relieve symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer
PANDEMIC	A disease that is prevalent around the world
PARACETAMOL	A type of drug used to relieve and reduce fever, usually taken in tablet form
PLASMA CELL	A type of white blood cell that secretes large amounts of antibodies in response to being presented with a specific antigen
PNEUMONIA	An inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection. Symptoms of pneumonia include a cough, difficulty breathing, a high temperature and chest pain
PNEUMONITIS	An inflammation of the lung tissues without the presence of an infection
PROPHYLACTIC	A drug that is given to prevent disease
PSYCHOTHERAPIST	A healthcare professional that is trained to treat people for emotional problems
RADIOTHERAPY	Treatment involving the use of high-energy radiation, which is commonly used to treat cancer
RECURRENCE	Return of a cancer
REMISSION	A disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer
SELF-ISOLATION	Staying at home with no contact with anybody outside of your household
SOCIAL DISTANCING	Minimising your contact with anybody outside of your household
SOCIAL WORKER	A person who is trained to provide advice, support and resources to people in order to help them solve their problems
STAGE OR STAGING (OF CANCER)	The process of determining the extent to which a cancer has grown and spread
STEM CELLS	Cells that can develop into many different cell types
STEM CELL TRANSPLANT	A medical procedure to replace stem cells that have been destroyed by some types of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Healthy stem cells are taken from the bloodstream of a donor or the patient prior to starting chemotherapy or radiotherapy
SWAB	An absorbent pad or piece of material used for taking specimens
TUMOUR	A lump or growth of abnormal cells. Tumours may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). In this guide, the term ‘tumour’ refers to a cancerous growth, unless otherwise stated
VACCINE	A substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against diseases
WHITE BLOOD CELLS	A type of blood cell that is part of the body’s immune system. White blood cells help the body fight infections
X-RAY	An imaging test, using a type of radiation that can pass through the body, which allows your doctor to see images of inside your body

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