-
Leukocytosis
(loo-ko-sigh-toe-sis)
Having more than the usual number of white blood cells.
-
Levels of evidence
(LEH-vulz ... EH-vih-dents)
A ranking system used to describe the strength of the results measured in a clinical trial or research study. The design of the study (such as a case report for an individual patient or a randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial) and the endpoints measured (such as survival or quality of life) affect the strength of the evidence.
-
Li-Fraumeni syndrome
(lee-FRAH-meh-nee SIN-drome)
A rare, inherited disorder that is caused by mutations (changes) in the TP53 gene. Having Li-Fraumeni syndrome increases the risk of developing many types of cancer. Cancers often develop at an early age, and more than one type of cancer may occur in the same person. Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a type of hereditary cancer syndrome. Also called LFS.
-
Lidocaine
(LY-doh-kane)
A substance used to relieve pain by blocking signals at the nerve endings in skin. It can also be given intravenously to stop heart arrhythmias. It is a type of local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic.
-
Lifetime risk
(LIFE-time risk)
A measure of the risk that a certain event will happen during a person’s lifetime. In cancer research, it is usually given as the likelihood that a person who is free of a certain type of cancer will develop or die from that type of cancer during his or her lifetime. For example, a woman with no known risk factors for breast cancer has a lifetime risk of developing breast cancer of about 12%. This means one out of every eight women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
-
Light therapy
(... THAYR-uh-pee)
The treatment of disease with certain types of light. Light therapy can use lasers, LED, fluorescent lamps, and ultraviolet or infrared radiation. Also called phototherapy.
-
Limb-sparing surgery
lim-SPAYR-ing SER-juh-ree
Surgery to remove a tumor in a limb (arm or leg) without removing the whole limb. The bone and tissue around the tumor may also be removed, and an implant may be used to replace the part of the limb removed. Limb-sparing surgery is done to help save the use and appearance of the limb. It is used to treat cancers of the bone and soft tissue. Also called limb-salvage surgery.
-
Line
A narrow short synthetic tube that is inserted approximately one inch into a vein to provide temporary intravenous access for the administration of fluid, medication, or nutrients.
-
Liquid biopsy
(LIH-kwid BY-op-see)
A test done on a sample of blood to look for cancer cells from a tumor that are circulating in the blood or for pieces of DNA from tumor cells that are in the blood. A liquid biopsy may be used to help find cancer at an early stage. It may also be used to help plan treatment or to find out how well treatment is working or if cancer has come back. Being able to take multiple samples of blood over time may also help doctors understand what kind of molecular changes are taking place in a tumor.
-
Liver
(LIH-ver)
A large organ located in the upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile.
