Unit 11 Med Terms

Lymphatic and Immune

ELISA

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) blood test that screens for HIV, Lyme and other infection conditions. 

adenoids - aka

nasopharyngeal tonsils

lingual

tongue

antigen-antibody reaction - aka

immune reaction

immun

protected

onc

tumor

immunoglobulins

antibodies that bind with specific antigens in the antigen-antibody response.

infectious disease specialist

physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

lymphadenitis - aka+

AKA swollen glands - inflammation of the lymph nodes

lymphaden

lymph node

lymphangioma

a benign tumor formed by an abnormal collection of lymphatic vessels due to a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system.

splenomegaly

an abnormal enlargement of the spleen.

lymphoscintigraphy

a diagnostic test that is performed to detect damage or malformations of the lymphatic vessels.

lymphedema

swelling of the tissues due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissues.

Bioimpedance spectroscopy

noninvasive method of diagnosing lymphedema. It measures the resistance to an electrical current passed through the affected limb, with abnormally low results showing a buildup of lymph.

allergy - aka+

AKA hypersensitivity - overreaction by the body to a particular antigen

localized allergic response - aka+

AKA cellular response - redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen.

systemic reaction

also described as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock, is a severe response to an allergen; the symptoms of this response develop quickly, and without prompt medical aid, the patient can die within a few minutes.

anaphylaxis

a severe, systemic response to an allergen.

autoimmune disorder

“any of a large group of diseases characterized by a condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues, mistaking healthy cells, tissues, or organs for antigens.”

human immunodeficiency virus

a bloodborne infection in which the virus damages or kills the T cells of the immune system, causing it to progressively fail, thus leaving the body at risk of developing many lifethreatening opportunistic infections.

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - aka+

AKA aids - “the most advanced and fatal stage of an HIV infection.”

opportunistic infection

infection caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans.

Kaposi’s sarcoma

example of an opportunistic infection that is frequently associated with HIV. This cancer causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin; in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat; or in other organs.

immunotherapy - aka+

AKA biological therapy - a disease treatment that involves either stimulating or repressing the immune system.

synthetic immunoglobulins - aka+

AKA immune serum - used as a post-exposure preventive measure against certain viruses, including rabies and some types of hepatitis.

synthetic interferon

used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, and some cancers.

monoclonal antibodies

class of antibodies produced in the laboratory by identical offspring of a clone of specific cells. These artificially produced antibodies are used to enhance the patient’s immune response to certain malignancies, including some non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, melanoma, breast cancer, and colon cancer.

immunosuppressant

a substance that prevents or reduces the body’s normal immune response.

corticosteroid drug

synthetic hormone that closely resembles the cortisol secreted by the adrenal glands.

cytotoxic drug

medication that kills or damages cells.

bacilli

rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria.

anthrax

contagious disease that can be transmitted through livestock infected with Bacillus anthracis. Spores grown in laboratories have been used in biological warfare.

rickettsia → Rocky Mountain spotted fever

a small bacterium that lives in lice, fleas, ticks, and mites.

spirochetes

long, slender, spiral-shaped bacteria that have flexible walls and are capable of movement.

staphylococci

a group of about 30 species of bacteria that form irregular groups or clusters resembling grapes.

Staphylococcus aureus

form of staphylococcus that often infects wounds and causes serious problems such as toxic shock syndrome or food poisoning.

streptococci

bacteria that form a chain.

strept/o

twisted chain

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus - aka+

AKA MRSA - one of several types of bacteria that are now resistant to most antibiotics.

fungus

simple parasitic organism

candidiasis

a yeast infection

parasite

a plant or animal that lives on or within another living organism at the expense of that organism.

giardiasis

diarrheal disease caused by the parasite Giardia. The most common method of transmission is via water that has been contaminated with feces.

malaria

a disease caused by a parasite that lives in certain mosquitoes and is transferred to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.

toxoplasmosis

a disease caused by a parasite most commonly transmitted from pets to humans by contact with contaminated feces.

trichomoniasis

common sexually transmitted disease caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

ebola

rare and generally fatal disease transmitted by contact with any bodily fluids infected with the Ebola virus.

measles

acute, highly contagious infection that is transmitted by respiratory droplets of the rubeola virus.

mumps

acute viral infection that is characterized by the swelling of the parotid glands, which are the salivary glands located just in front of the ears. In adults, mumps can also cause painful swelling of the ovaries or testicles.

Rubella - aka+

AKA German measles - a viral infection characterized by a low-grade fever, swollen glands, inflamed eyes, and a fine, pink rash.

West Nile virus

spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. A mild form of this condition has flu-like symptoms.

Zika virus

spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito, by a woman to her fetus, or through sexual intercourse.

cytomegalovirus

a type of herpesvirus found in most body fluids.

varicella - aka+

AKA chickenpox - a highly contagious infection caused by the herpesvirus Varicella zoster; also known as chickenpox.

Herpes zoster - aka+

AKA shingles - an acute viral infection characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow the underlying route of an inflamed nerve.

postherpetic neuralgia

complication that may follow herpes zoster if nerve fibers have been damaged during the outbreak. The resulting pain can be severe and persistent.

infectious mononucleosis - aka+

AKA mono - is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, and is most common in adolescents and young adults. This condition is characterized by fever, a sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes. Swelling of the spleen or liver involvement can also develop.

roseola - aka+

AKA sixth disease - common in infants ages 6 months to 2 years of age and is characterized by a high fever followed by a rash.

antibiotics

medication capable of inhibiting the growth of or killing pathogenic bacteria.

bacteriostatic

agent slows or stops the growth of bacteria

antifungal

an agent that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi.

neoplasm - aka+

AKA tumor - abnormal growth of body tissue.

myosarcoma

a malignant tumor derived from muscle tissue.

angiogenesis

process through which a tumor supports its growth by creating its own blood supply

antiangiogenesis

form of treatment that disrupts the blood supply to the tumor

carcinoma in situ

a malignant tumor in its original position that has not yet disturbed or invaded the surrounding tissues.

lymphoma

a general term applied to malignancies affecting lymphoid tissues.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

“a cancer of the immune system distinguished by the presence of large, cancerous lymphocytes known as Reed-Sternberg cells.”

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

the term used to describe all lymphomas other than Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

ductal carcinoma in situ

breast cancer at its earliest stage before the abnormal cells have broken through the wall of the milk duct.

infiltrating ductal carcinoma

breast cancer that starts in the milk duct and invades the fatty breast tissue outside the duct.

inflammatory breast cancer

rare but aggressive form of breast cancer in which the cancer cells block the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast

male breast cancer

• occur in the small amount of breast tissue that is normally present in men. The types of cancers are similar to those occurring in women.

palpation of the breast

test performed by a trained health care provider to check the texture, size, and consistency of the breast as well as the lymph nodes in the armpit.

mammography

an x-ray examination of the breasts to detect the presence of tumors or precancerous cells.

molecular breast imaging

gamma radiation to detect potential tumors in particularly dense breast tissue.

ultrasound

often used as an initial follow-up test when an abnormality is found by mammography.

breast MRI

magnets and radio waves, and the insertion of a contrast medium via IV, to get more detailed information for those already diagnosed with cancer or to look for signs of cancer in patients at high risk.

core needle biopsy

technique in which a hollow needle is used with or without imaging such as ultrasound to remove small samples of tissue from the breast for diagnosis and the planning of treatment

surgical biopsy

• removal of a larger piece of tissue for examination to confirm a diagnosis. The entire mass may be removed at this time prior to the biopsy results confirming diagnosis.

sentinel node biopsy

biopsy of the first lymph node to come into contact with cancer cells as they leave the organ of origination and start spreading into the rest of the body. After the sentinel lymph node has been identified, only this and the other affected nodes are removed for biopsy.

lymph node dissection

surgical procedure in which all of the lymph nodes in a major group are removed to determine or slow the spread of cancer in this area.

hormone therapy

used as a treatment for breast cancer if the cancer cells are ER-positive (cancer that has estrogen receptors), PR-positive (cancer that has progesterone receptors), or both.

lumpectomy - aka+

AKA partial mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery - is the surgical removal of only the cancerous tissue with the surrounding margin of normal tissue

mastectomy

surgical removal of the entire breast and nipple

modifited radical mastectomy

surgical removal of the entire breast and all of the axillary lymph nodes under the adjacent arm

immediate breast reconstruction

during the same surgery as the mastectomy when an “expander” is placed to replace the tissue that was removed.

delayed breast reconstruction

during the same surgery as the mastectomy when an “expander” is placed to replace the tissue that was removed.

chemotherapy

use of chemical agents and drugs in combinations selected to destroy malignant cells and tissues.

chemoprevention

use of natural or synthetic substances such as drugs or vitamins to reduce the risk of developing cancer or to reduce the chance that cancer will recur. Chemoprevention may also be used to reduce the size or slow the development of an existing tumor.

antineoplastic

medication that blocks the development, growth, or proliferation of malignant cells

cytotoxic drugs

also used for both immunosuppression and chemotherapy, are discussed earlier in this chapter.

brachytherapy

use of radioactive materials in contact with or implanted into the tissues to be treated

teletherapy

precisely targeted radiation therapy administered at a distance from the body.

tomotherapy

combination of tomography with radiation therapy to precisely target the tumor being treated

targeted therapy

developing form of anticancer drug therapy that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells. A monoclonal antibody is a type of targeted therapy.

adjuvant therapy

sometimes used after the primary cancer treatments have been completed to decrease the chance that a cancer will recur. The term adjuvant refers to an agent intended to increase the effectiveness of a drug;