-
Brentuximab Vedotin
(bren-TUK-sih-mab veh-DOH-tin)
A drug used with other anticancer drugs to treat systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma or other peripheral T-cell lymphomas, including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, that are CD30 positive and have not been treated with other therapy. It is also used with other anticancer drugs to treat stage III or stage IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma that has not been treated with other therapy. Brentuximab vedotin is also used to treat certain types of Hodgkin lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and mycosis fungoides that were treated with other therapy. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Brentuximab vedotin contains a monoclonal antibody that binds to a protein called CD30, which is found on some lymphoma cells. It also contains an anticancer drug, which may help kill cancer cells. Brentuximab vedotin is a type of antibody-drug conjugate. Also called Adcetris and SGN-35.
-
Bronchitis
(bron-KY-tis)
Inflammation (swelling and reddening) of the bronchi.
-
Bronchoscopy
(bron-KOS-koh-pee)
A procedure that uses a bronchoscope to examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi (air passages that lead to the lungs), and lungs. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease. The bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth. Bronchoscopy may be used to detect cancer or to perform some treatment procedures.
-
BROVIAC® catheter
Soft plastic catheters that are surgically placed in one of the neck veins and advanced to the opening of the heart in order to easily administer intravenous solutions and to obtain blood for testing.
-
Bulimia
Bulimia is an eating disorder in which a person has regular episodes of eating a very large amount of food (bingeing) during which the person feels a loss of control over eating. The person then uses different ways, such as vomiting or laxatives (purging), to prevent weight gain.
-
Cachexia
(kuh-KEK-see-uh)
Loss of body weight and muscle mass, and weakness that may occur in patients with cancer, AIDS, or other chronic diseases.
-
Calcification
(KAL-sih-fih-KAY-shun)
Deposits of calcium in the tissues. Calcification in the breast can be seen on a mammogram, but cannot be detected by touch. There are two types of breast calcification, macrocalcification and microcalcification. Macrocalcifications are large deposits and are usually not related to cancer. Microcalcifications are specks of calcium that may be found in an area of rapidly dividing cells. Many microcalcifications clustered together may be a sign of cancer.
-
Calcitonin
(KAL-sih-TOH-nin)
A hormone formed by the C cells of the thyroid gland. It helps maintain a healthy level of calcium in the blood. When the calcium level is too high, calcitonin lowers it.
-
Calcium
(KAL-see-um)
A mineral needed for healthy teeth, bones, and other body tissues. It is the most common mineral in the body. A deposit of calcium in body tissues, such as breast tissue, may be a sign of disease.
-
Calories
(KA-luh-rees)
A measurement of the energy content of food. The body needs calories as to perform its functions, such as breathing, circulating the blood, and physical activity. When a person is sick, their body may need extra calories to fight fever or other problems.
