Any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease associated with the use of a product, whether or not it is related to it.

A low level of red blood cells or hemoglobin; may be characterized by paleness, weakness, or shortness of breath with activity

Loss of appetite; may be caused by either the cancer itself or as a side effect of treatments such as chemotherapy

Drugs that interfere with the formation of new blood vessels; can be used to treat certain types of cancer

Proteins (known as immunoglobulins) that circulate in the blood to protect against infections by recognizing and binding to foreign substances such as germs. This signals to other parts of the immune system to destroy germs or other targets

Medications used to prevent or stop vomiting

Fatigue, weakness, or malaise; a feeling of not being well

A condition in which the body recognizes its own tissues as foreign and directs an immune response against them

Long narrow part of the nerve cell that usually conducts signals away from the cell body

Starting point; measurement of a medical parameter before the start of treatment to be used as comparison during the treatment and at the end of treatment. For example, the size of a tumor will be measured before treatment (baseline) and then afterwards to see if the treatment had an effect.

Removal of cells or fluids from the body for diagnostic purposes

Soft, sponge-like area in the center of large bones that contains hematopoietic stem cells for production of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets

Material drawn by suction (needle) from the bone cavity (usually hip or breast bone) for examination under a microscope

Medical procedure that involves transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (immature blood-forming cells). Patients are given high-dose cancer treatment that will destroy the cells in the patient’s bone marrow. The stem cells can be used to help "rescue" the bone marrow from this intensive treatment. In an autologous transplant, some of the patient’s stem cells are taken and stored before they have the high-dose treatment. After the high-dose treatment, the patient’s stem cells are given back to them through an intravenous line (like a blood transfusion). When the stem cells come from another person, it is called an allogeneic transplantation.

Process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells due to changes in the genetic blueprint of the cell

A condition in which the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the rest of the body, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF)

Acute condition resulting from heart disease or heart attack in which the heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body and is characterized by low blood pressure and decreased urine output

Use of chemical agents (drugs) in the treatment or control of disease such as cancer

Scientifically controlled study of the safety and effectiveness of a medication (such as a drug or vaccine) using consenting human subjects

Percent of the allowable charges a patient is responsible for (i.e. 15%, 20%, etc.), as defined in the patient’s insurance benefit structure

Fixed amount of money a patient is responsible for at each doctor’s visit, at the hospital or emergency room, or when a prescription is filled at a pharmacy (i.e. $10, $20, etc.). Amounts defined by the patient’s insurance benefit structure.

Privately funded health insurance options (like a HMO or PPO), commonly obtained via employment or through individual purchase. Medicare Advantage plans and PDPs are not considered privately insured coverage, as these types of plans are funded by the government.

Disappearance of detectable signs of cancer as a result of treatment; not necessarily a cure. Also called complete remission (CR).

The disappearance of all detectable signs of cancer, without necessarily confirming with a biopsy or other confirmatory test

A condition in which the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the rest of the body; also known as cardiac failure or heart failure

A condition or factor that makes a prescribed treatment inadvisable

Steroids produced by the outer part of the adrenal gland (see steroids)

Applies to the Medicare Part D (prescription drug) benefit wherein the beneficiary is responsible for 100% of the costs of the covered Part D drug prescriptions he/she fills. The coverage gap takes effect when total spending in a calendar year on covered Part D drugs reaches $2,700 and ends when the total reaches $6,153.75, equating to a total out-of-pocket expense of $3,453.75 while the beneficiary is in the coverage gap. The coverage gap only applies to covered Medicare Part D drugs (i.e. prescriptions filled at the pharmacy) and not to Medicare Part B drugs (i.e. drugs administered intravenously in a physician’s office).

A waste product from proteins in the diet and muscles in the body removed through the kidneys; measurement of creatinine in the blood or urine can reveal how well the kidneys are functioning (high levels of creatinine in the blood indicate poor kidney function).

A protein that facilitates cell growth and division. In some cancers (eg relapsed mantle cell lymphoma), the level of cyclin D1 protein is increased and is associated with the increased ability of tumor cells to multiply.

Toxic to cells; cell-killing

The amount that a patient must pay of his/her medical expenses before insurance benefits are applied, typically calculated on an annual basis. Amounts defined by a patient’s insurance benefit structure.

Condition in which the body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both. Vomiting and diarrhea are common causes of dehydration

A disorder of sugar metabolism caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors; characterized by excessive urination, unusually high amounts of sugar in blood and urine, hunger, thirst, and loss of weight

The process of cleansing the blood to remove toxic material when the kidneys are unable to perform their function properly

Double vision

Applies to the Medicare Part D (prescription drug) benefit wherein the beneficiary is responsible for 100% of the costs of the covered Part D drug prescriptions he/she fills. The coverage gap takes effect when total spending in a calendar year on covered Part D drugs reaches $2,700 and ends when the total reaches $6,153.75, equating to a total out-of-pocket expense of $3,453.75 while the beneficiary is in the coverage gap. The coverage gap only applies to covered Medicare Part D drugs (i.e. prescriptions filled at the pharmacy) and not to Medicare Part B drugs (i.e. drugs administered intravenously in a physician’s office).

Time from first record of response to therapy to first record of relapse

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Swelling due to the accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues beneath the skin

In clinical trials, an event or outcome that can be measured objectively to determine whether the intervention being studied is beneficial. These endpoints are specified prior to the start of the trial. Some examples of endpoints include change in tumor size and length of time before further treatment for the disease is required.

A measurement of how much blood the heart pushes out with each beat relative to how much it takes in (expressed in percentage points). This measurement helps with the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure.

A condition marked by fever and decrease in the number of neutrophils in the blood (neutropenia). Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection. Having too few neutrophils increases the risk of infection.

An area of the lymph node where white blood cells mature

The alimentary canal that takes in food, digests it, and excretes waste. Includes the salivary glands, mouth, esophagus, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, colon, and rectum.

Side effects of the gastrointestinal system that may include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, stomach pain, and indigestion

A type of sugar, the chief source of energy for living organisms

A steroid that has the specific effects on carbohydrates, protein, and fat metabolism in the body and also decrease inflammation

A heart condition in which it can no longer pump enough blood to the rest of the body; also known as congestive heart failure (CHF)

Precursor cells from which all blood cell types are developed: myeloid (including neutrophils and platelets), lymphoid (including T cells and B cells), and erythroid (red blood cells)

Acute or sudden blood loss

Relating to the liver

Viral infection of nerves associated with a painful, blistering rash; caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an episode of chickenpox, the virus becomes dormant in the body. Herpes Zoster occurs as a result of the virus re-emerging after many years. Also called shingles.

Excess of calcium in the blood

Unusual or excessive sensitivity of the skin

Abnormally sensitive; can result in a reaction to a drug or other agent

Abnormally low blood sugar

Low blood pressure

A laboratory technique used to detect and identify various types of proteins. It is of great importance for the diagnosis and monitoring of certain blood-related disease such as myeloma. Also called IF.

Drugs that interfere with and influence immune system activity; can be used to treat disease including autoimmune disease and some cancers

Enhancement of the immune system to fight cancer. The main strategy is to stimulate the patient’s immune system to attack the cancer cells that are responsible for the disease. This can be either through immunization of the patient, in which case the patient’s own immune system is trained to recognize cancer cells as targets to be destroyed, or through the administration of therapeutic antibodies or cytokines (substances normally secreted by immune cells) as drugs, in which case the patient’s immune system is recruited to destroy tumor cells by the therapeutic agent.

Protective reaction to injury, disease, or irritation characterized by redness, swelling, pain, and/or feeling of heat in the affected area of the body

Intravenous injection; a method of administering drugs or fluids using a needle or a thin tube inserted in a vein; IV push denotes that the process happens quickly, within seconds, while the IV infusion may take many hours

One of a pair of bean-shaped organs that remove waste from the blood in the form of urine; located near the spine, towards the lower back of the abdomen

Abnormally low numbers of white blood cells in the blood

There are four liver enzymes that are routinely tested for: apartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Elevation of these enzymes can indicate the presence of liver disease. High levels of AP or GGT enzymes in the blood can indicate blockage or inflammation of bile ducts.

A rounded mass of tissue along the lymphatic vessels which filters the flow of lymph passing through the node; lymph is a clear fluid that resembles blood except that it does not contain any red blood cells. Lymph nodes are also where lymphocytes are recruited to fight infection

A type of white blood cell that helps fight infection

Destruction of an area of bone due to a disease process, such as cancer

Feeling of general discomfort, of not feeling well, often indicative of or accompanying the onset of illness

The outer layer of a lymph node; made up of B-cells

A number or a value in the middle of the set of numbers or values

Government program that provides insurance coverage to low income individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements. Medicaid programs vary from state-to-state.

Term used by payers to determine if procedures, drugs, or other healthcare services are necessary given your medical condition and diagnosis

Government program that provides insurance coverage to elderly individuals and individuals in several other eligibility categories. Medicare is a federal program.

Health plan options (like an HMO or PPO) approved by Medicare and offered by private companies. Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Medicare Part A and Part B. Their benefits must be, at a minimum, what conventional Medicare covers. They may provide additional benefits beyond those offered by conventional Medicare. Also referred to as “Medicare Part C.”

Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage.

Health insurance sold by a private company to help Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B patients pay for their out-of-pocket expenses. Also referred to as “supplemental insurance.”

An antibody found in unusually large amounts in the blood or urine of people with multiple myeloma and other types of plasma cell tumors. Also called monoclonal protein.

Usually refers to minimal reduction of disease markers and/or disease burden when discussing response to treatment. Definition varies based on the response criteria and the disease in question. Also called MR.

Having to do with, produced by, or resembling the bone marrow. Sometimes used as a synonym for myeloid.

The middle muscular layer of the heart wall

Usually refers to high level of response, close to complete remission. Definition varies based on the response criteria and the disease in question. Also called nCR.

Also known as neuropathic pain, it is produced by damage to the nerve structure or function itself and occurs in absence of a pain-inducing stimulus

An abnormal decrease in the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell. Neutrophils help fight infection. Having too few neutrophils increases the risk of infection

A cancer of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell that fights infection) which can be localized or widespread. Often presents as a lump in an area of lymph nodes such as the neck, armpit or chest. There are many types, but two broad categories are B-cell or T-cell

Sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing up

The total of a patient’s co-payment amounts, co-insurance amounts, and deductibles. Does not include a patient’s monthly premium for an insurance plan.

The proportion of patients whose tumor gets smaller or disappears

Time from diagnosis and/or start of treatment to death. Also called OS.

An abnormal touch sensation, such as burning or prickling, that occurs without an outside stimulus

Usually refers to a medium level of response, ie medium level of reduction of disease markers and/or disease burden. Definition varies based on the response criteria and the disease in question. Also called PR.

Nerves that are part of the peripheral nervous system—the part of the nervous system that resides outside the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

A condition that occurs due to damage to the peripheral nerves of the arms, hands, legs, and feet. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain, itching, and a "pins and needles" sensation. Can also lead to weakness and loss of function

A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies

A type of blood cell that helps prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form. Also called a thrombocyte.

A severe inflammation of the lungs. Pneumonia is usually caused by infection but may also be caused by radiation therapy, allergy, or irritation of lung tissue by inhaled substances. It may involve part or all of the lungs.

Health plan options (like an HMO or PPO) approved by Medicare and offered by private companies to provide Medicare beneficiaries with prescription drug coverage. Can be offered as a stand-alone product, or can be incorporated into a Medicare Advantage plan. All Medicare beneficiaries who elect to have prescription drug coverage must select a PDP. Medicare does not offer the Part D benefit directly.

Approval required from an insurance company or Medicare before certain procedures, drugs, or other healthcare services are provided in order for the company or Medicare to pay the subsequent claim(s)

Privately funded health insurance options (like a HMO or PPO), commonly obtained via employment or through individual purchase. Medicare Advantage plans and PDPs are not considered privately insured coverage, as these types of plans are funded by the government.

Time from diagnosis and/or start of treatment until the disease gets worse or progresses. Also called PFS.

Cancer that is growing, spreading, or getting worse. Also called PD.

A proteasome is an enzyme complex that is found in all cells. Its function is to break down other cellular proteins in both healthy and cancerous cells in a regulated manner.

A drug or an agent that blocks the action of the proteasome, a large protein complex that helps destroy other proteins in the cell when they are no longer needed

A molecule made up of amino acids that is needed for the body to function properly. Proteins serve as building blocks and/or functional units of all cells and organs. They are made by the body itself or are obtained through nutrition (good sources of protein include eggs, meat, dairy products, and beans).

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs

A lung disorder characterized by increased pressure in the pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, or pulmonary capillaries leading to shortness of breath, dizziness, and fainting, all of which worsen with exertion

Fever

The use of high-energy X-rays and similar rays (such as electrons) to treat disease. This can be given either as external radiotherapy from the outside of the body using X-rays or from within the body as internal radiotherapy. Radiotherapy works by destroying the cancer cells in the treated area. Although normal cells can also be damaged by the radiotherapy, they can usually repair themselves. Radiotherapy treatment can cure some cancers and can also reduce the chance of a cancer coming back after surgery. It may be used to reduce cancer symptoms.

The process of paying for healthcare services, supplies, and medications. Insurance plans, the government, and patients reimburse healthcare providers and pharmacies for the services and products they provide

Relating to kidneys

Otherwise known as kidney failure, it can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-lasting). Acute renal failure can be reversible while chronic typically is not. Total and long-lasting kidney failure is called end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and requires dialysis or a kidney transplant

Any condition that affects breathing function or the lungs themselves and can result in failure of the lungs to function properly. The main tasks of the lungs and chest are to get oxygen from the air that is inhaled into the bloodstream and, at the same time, to eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood through air that is breathed out. In respiratory failure, the level of oxygen in the blood becomes dangerously low and/or the level of carbon dioxide becomes dangerously high

A rare brain condition in which fluid and proteins leak out of tiny blood vessels and flow into surrounding tissues. The syndrome can cause headaches, seizures, vision problems, and impaired mental function. The condition is treatable, and people who experience it may recover with proper medical care. Also called RPLS

A dark purplish flattened oblong organ that is located in the abdomen and plays a role in the final destruction of red blood cells, filtration and storage of blood, and production of lymphocytes

No change in disease status, ie no increase or decrease in disease markers and/or disease burden. Also called SD

In medicine, treatment that experts agree is appropriate, accepted, and widely used

Medical procedure that involves transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (immature blood-forming cells). Patients are given high-dose cancer treatment that will destroy the cells in the patient’s bone marrow. The stem cells can be used to help “rescue” the bone marrow from this intensive treatment. In an autologous transplant some of the patient’s stem cells are taken and stored before they have the high-dose treatment. After the high-dose treatment, the patient’s stem cells are given back to them through an intravenous line (like a blood transfusion). When the stem cells come from another person, it is called an allogeneic transplantation

Steroids are naturally occurring in the body and have a variety of functions. They can also be used as medication to treat certain conditions. Three main categories of steroids are sex hormones for sexual maturation, corticosteroids for metabolism, immune function and regulation of salts and fluids in the body, and anabolic steroids for muscle and bone growth

The percentage of patients alive after a certain time

Fainting

Abnormally low levels of platelets; patients with thrombocytopenia are at a higher risk of bleeding

Time from the end of one treatment to the beginning of the next treatment; also called treatment-free interval or TTNT

Time from disease diagnosis and/or beginning of treatment to the time when the disease starts getting worse. Also called TTP.

The harmful effects of a medication or treatment, especially at higher doses

Intravenous (IV) infusion of whole blood or blood products. The blood may be donated from another person, or it may have been taken from the person earlier and stored until needed.

A life-threatening metabolic emergency frequently associated with certain types of cancers. It is caused by tumor cells breaking apart and releasing their contents into the bloodstream. The result is a dangerous alteration in the normal balance of salts and other substances in the body, and can lead to kidney failure. The changes can occur so quickly and can be so dramatic that immediate death can result

Infection-fighting blood cells made in the bone marrow. There are two main types of white blood cells: lymphocytes and myeloid cells. As some myeloid cells and some lymphocytes only live for a few days, the bone marrow is constantly making new cells to replace the old ones in the blood. The bone marrow normally makes millions of blood cells every day. When they are mature enough to leave the bone marrow, the white blood cells are released into the bloodstream to circulate around the body. Lymphocytes, unlike the myeloid cells, also circulate in the lymphatic system.