A myeloma protein present in urine. The amount of Bence Jones protein is expressed in terms of G per 24 hours. Normally a very small amount of protein (<0. 1G/24h) can be present in the urine, but this is albumin rather than Bence Jones protein. The presence of any Bence Jones protein is abnormal.
A chemical that is used widely by the chemical industry, and is also found in tobacco smoke, vehicle emissions, and gasoline fumes. Exposure to benzene may increase the risk of developing leukemia.
In medicine, treatment that experts agree is appropriate, accepted, and widely used. Health care providers are obligated to provide patients with the best practice. Also called standard therapy or standard of care.
A small protein found in the blood. High levels occur in patients with active myeloma. Low or normal levels occur in patients with early myeloma and/or inactive disease. Approximately 10% of patients have myeloma that does not produce b2M. For these patients, b2M testing cannot be used to monitor the disease. At the time of relapse, b2M can increase before there is any change in the myeloma protein level. Therefore, 90% of the time, b2M is very useful for determining disease activity.
In a clinical trial, a flaw in the study design or method of collecting or interpreting information. Biases can lead to incorrect conclusions about what the study or trial showed.
Pertaining to biology or to life and living things. In medicine, refers to a substance made from a living organism or its products. Biologicals may be used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve of symptoms of a disease. For example, antibodies, interleukins, and vaccines are biologicals. Biological also refers to parents and children who are related by blood.
Substances that stimulate the body’s response to infection and disease. The body naturally produces small amounts of these substances. Scientists can produce some of them in the laboratory in large amounts and use them in cancer treatment.
Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infections and other diseases. Also used to lessen certain side effects that may be caused by cancer treatment. Also called immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy.
The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. When only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy. When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy, core biopsy, or fine-needle aspiration.
Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infections and other diseases. Also used to lessen certain side effects that may be caused by cancer treatment. Also called biological therapy, immunotherapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy.
The phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia in which more than 30% of the cells in the bone marrow or blood are blast cells (immature, abnormal white blood cells). Tiredness, fever, and an enlarged spleen also occur.
The phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia in which more than 30% of the cells in the bone marrow or blood are blast cells (immature, abnormal white blood cells). When tiredness, fever, and an enlarged spleen also occur, it is called blast crisis.
A type of study in which the patients (single-blinded) or the patients and their doctors (double-blinded) do not know which drug or treatment is being given. The opposite of a blinded study is an open label study.
A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.
A procedure in which a sample of blood is examined to measure the amounts of certain substances made in the body. An abnormal amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that produces it.
A person who donates healthy bone marrow to a patient who has had high-dose cancer treatment. The patient is given the donor’s healthy marrow during a bone marrow transplant.
The removal and collection of bone marrow, usually done prior to a bone marrow transplant but sometimes done as a preventative measure in case of relapse.
A procedure to replace bone marrow that has been destroyed by treatment with high doses of anticancer drugs or radiation. Transplantation may be autologous (an individual's own marrow saved before treatment), allogeneic (marrow donated by someone else), or syngeneic (marrow donated by an identical twin).
The normal coordination (coupling) between osteoclast cells (which resorb or destroy bone) and osteoblast cells (which create new bone matrix) to maintain a balanced state of bone production an destruction.
A technique to create images of bones on a computer screen to indicate areas of injury, disease, or healing. A small amount of radio-active material is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. It collects in the bones, especially in abnormal areas of the bones, and is detected by a scanner. This is a valuable test to determine if cancer has spread to the bone, if anticancer therapy has been successful, and if affectd bony areas are healing. Also known as “bone scintigraphy. ”
A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor. Also called internal radiation, implant radiation, or interstitial radiation therapy.
Biological response modifier. Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infections and other diseases. Also used to lessen certain side effects that may be caused by cancer treatment. Also called immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological therapy.
A measure of the urea levl in the blood. Urea is cleared by the kidney. BUN is a laboratory blood test to assess how well the kidney is functioning. Diseases, such as myeloma, which compromise kidney function, frequently lead to increased levels of BUN.
A type of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that most often occurs in young people between the ages of 12 and 30. The disease usually causes a rapidly growing tumor in the abdomen.
For over 27 years, the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has fought to safeguard the rights of victims of toxic substances such as benzene. The Work-Related Leukemia and Lymphoma Medical Web site is a public service of Baron & Budd, P.C.
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