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- B cell lymphomaA cancer of the lymphatic system where the cells that have become cancerous are a type of white blood cell called B lymphocytes.
- B lymphocytes (B cells)A type of white blood cell. Lymphocytes make up a quarter to a third of the white blood cells. There are two types of lymphocytes, B and T cells. The B lymphocytes make antibodies in response to disease or any cells the body recognises as foreign or damaged. This is part of the immune(...)
- B symptomsA group of symptoms which doctors use to determine the stage of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The stage B symptoms are unexplained high temperatures, heavy sweating at night and weight loss (losing at least 10% of total body weight).
- Balanced dietEating a wide variety of foods to give you all the energy, protein, vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy. For most of us, that means eating more fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day), more fibre, less fat and cutting down on sugar, alcohol and salt.
- Barium (barium enema, barium meal)Barium is a soft, white metal. Barium sulphate is used for X-rays of the digestive system. It is given as a white liquid drink (known as a barium meal or barium swallow) or into the back passage (a barium enema). X-rays cannot go through barium, so when the X-ray pictures are taken, the(...)
- Barrett's oesophagusAbnormal cells in the lining of the food pipe (also called the gullet or oesophagus). The areas of abnormal cells are called dysplasia. Barrett's oesophagus slightly increases the risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus. It is most likely to be diagnosed in people who have a long history(...)
- Basal cellCells in the deepest layer of the skin (epidermis). All new skin cells develop from these cells.
- Basal cell breast cancerA type of breast cancer. The cells don't usually have receptors for oestrogen, progesterone or the HER2/neu protein, so doctors may call it 'triple negative breast cancer'. It is unlikely to respond to hormone therapy or Herceptin. Women diagnosed may be younger than with other types of(...)
- Basal cell skin cancerA cancer that develops in cells found in the deepest layer of the skin - basal cells.
- Basement membraneThe layer of tissue that cells 'sit' on. If cancer cells from a tumour have broken through the basement membrane, then the cancer can spread and is called 'invasive'.
- BCG (tuberculosis vaccine, TB)An injection to prevent tuberculosis (TB) or treat certain types of cancer. You should not have this vaccination if you are having chemotherapy, as it contains live TB bacteria.
- Becker's implantA type of breast implant which is inflated with sterile salt water until it is the same size as the natural breast.
- BenignNot cancerous. A benign tumour is a harmless overgrowth of cells, which may or may not need surgery to remove it.
- Benign breast lumpsLumps in the breast which are not cancerous.
- Benign cystFluid filled lump which is not cancerous.
- Benign polypsPolyps are small outgrowths on the skin or the lining of the gut. Benign polyps are not cancerous.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)Commonly called enlarged prostate. Literally means non-cancerous overgrowth of the cells of the prostate gland.
- BenzidinA chemical used in the rubber industry that was found to cause bladder cancer.
- Best current treatmentThe most effective treatment being used at the moment for a particular cancer or situation. This is also called the ‘standard treatment’.
- Beta-naphthaleneAn industrial chemical which might cause cancer of the pancreas.
- Bevacizumab (Avastin)A humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF). VEGF is a chemical signal that leads to the growth of new blood vessels. It is used in the treatment of bowel, breast and lung cancer.
- BiasTo prefer one thing to another and so look at it more favourably. It is possible to do this without knowing it, which is why some trials are designed so that no one knows which patient is having which treatment.
- Bicalutamide (Casodex)Inhibits androgen production. Used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
- BilirubinBilirubin is produced in the body when red blood cells become old and damaged and are destroyed in the spleen. Bilirubin goes in the blood from the spleen to the liver and then in bile into the small intestine. Some types of cancer and some cancer drugs can prevent the breakdown of bilirubin(...)
- BilobectomyOperation to remove the two lobes of the lung.
- Biological response modifiersThese are natural body substances that can now be made in the laboratory in larger than natural amounts. They are then used as drugs to fight cancer, or stimulate the immune system. Some are also called cytokines. They include colony stimulating factors (CSFs), erythropoietin (EPO),(...)
- Biological therapyTreatment that uses natural body substances or drugs made from natural body substances to treat cancer e.g. interferon, interleukin 2, growth factors and monoclonal antibodies. Biological therapies include immunotherapies, gene therapy and vaccines.
- BiomarkerBiomarkers are substances that doctors can measure in the body to help them tell how a disease is developing or how a treatment is working.
- Biopsy (biopsies)A piece of body tissue taken so that the cells can be looked at under a microscope.
- Bladder calculi (bladder stones)Stones in the bladder. Having multiple stones in the bladder for many years can give a higher risk of a type of bladder cancer called squamous cell bladder cancer.
- Bladder irrigationFlushing out the bladder. A tube called a urinary catheter is put into the bladder through the urethra. The catheter is connected to a bag of sterile water or salt solution which flushes out any clots of blood after surgery.
- Bladder reconstructionAn operation to make a 'new' bladder if you have to have your bladder removed.
- Bleomycin (Blenamax, Blenoxane)A chemotherapy drug used to treat a number of cancers including testicular cancer and lymphoma.
- Blind trialA type of clinical trial where the patient does not know whether they are having the treatment that is being tested, or a fake inactive treatment (placebo) that appears to be the same.
- Blocked lineA blocked drip or central line. It can sometimes be unblocked, but may have to be taken out and a new line put in (re-sited).
- Blomsinger valveA type of valve that can help you to speak after you have had your voice box (larynx) removed (a laryngectomy).
- Blood brain barrierA membrane that surrounds and protects the brain. It prevents harmful substances passing into the brain from the blood.
- Blood cells (blood cell)There are three types of blood cells: white cells which fight infection; red cells which carry oxygen around the body; and platelets which help the blood to clot.
- Blood cholesterolA type of fat in the blood. People with high levels of cholesterol are thought more likely to have heart attacks.
- Blood count (blood cell count)Blood test to count how many of each type of blood cell there are in the blood.
- Blood pressureThe pressure in the circulatory system. Blood pressure is measured with two numbers, one on top of the other. The maximum pressure is when the heart is pumping blood through, and the minimum pressure is when it is resting between beats.
- Blood sugarThe amount of sugar in the blood. If the blood sugar is too high, this could be a sign of diabetes. The normal range is between 2.5 – 4.7 mmol/l although it can be higher after a meal.
- Blood tests (blood test)Tests on samples of blood to check general health or to look for specific substances (for example, PSA, HCG and AFP levels).
- Blood transfusionGiving extra blood through a drip into a vein. Can be your own blood collected earlier and stored, or more usually blood donated by someone else.
- Blood vessels (artery, arteries, blood vessel, capillary, capillaries, vein(s)Tubes which carry blood around the body: arteries which carry blood containing oxygen; veins which carry blood back to the heart to pick up more oxygen; and capillaries, the smallest blood vessels, which connect arteries to veins.
- Body imageHow we imagine ourselves physically. After surgery that changes body appearance, it can be some time before we get used to seeing ourselves differently.
- Bone densityThickness and strength of bone. Tests for this are called ‘bone mineral density scan’s (BMD).
- Bone graftA piece of bone, taken from another part of the body and used to replace bone that has to be removed due to either injury or disease.
- Bone marrowThe spongy substance in the centre of the bones where red and white blood cells and platelets are made.
- Bone marrow harvestCollecting bone marrow for transplanting later on. It is done under general anaesthetic and usually means an overnight stay in hospital. Up to six punctures are made over the hip bones (and less usually, the chest bone). The marrow is sucked out of the puncture sites into a syringe. For(...)