The Information Book Edition 3 - Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service

OSTEOSARCOMA – a cancer of the bone.ORGANISM – living thing.PALLIATIVE CARE – treatment that relieves the symptoms but is not expectedto cure the disease. The main purpose is to improve the child’s quality of life.PET Scan – a scan that uses radioactive chemicals to show how a partof the body is working. Used to identify malignant and benign tumours.PETECHIAE – small red spots (bruises) on the skin that usually indicatea low platelet count.PERIPHERAL LINE – an intravenous line inserted into a vein in the hand,arm, or foot.PLATELET – a cell in the blood that helps form clots and stop bleeding.PRE-HYDRATION – intravenous fluids necessary before certain chemotherapy.POST HYDRATION – intravenous fluids necessary after certain chemotherapy.PORT – a central line surgically inserted under the skin, usually the chest wall.It provides quick and easy access to the blood and can be left in place foryears.PROTOCOL – a plan of tests and treatments.PUSH – the manual administration of an intravenous medication over a shortperiod of time.RADIOTHERAPY – the use of x-rays or radiation from radioactive substancesin the treatment of disease.RED BLOOD CELL (RBC) – blood cells that pick up oxygen from the lungsand transport it to tissues throughout the body.RELAPSE – the return of a disease after a period of remission.REMISSION – complete or partial disappearance of a disease. A period duringwhich signs of a disease remain under control.RETINOBLASTOMA – cancer of the eye (retina).SARCOMA – cancer of supportive or connective tissue – muscle, bone,cartilage, fatty tissue.SOMNOLENCE SYNDROME – Sleepiness as a side effect of radiotherapy.Glossary Sec.9.5Updated July 2012