Glossary of terms

anemia

a blood disorder caused by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells)

See also Will thrives thanks to sickle cell expertise

Ewing sarcoma

a cancer that occurs primarily in the bone or soft tissue

See also Ewing sarcoma

germ cell tumors

tumors (cancerous or non-cancerous) that are comprised mostly of germ cells, cells that develop in the embryo (fetus, or unborn baby) and become the cells that make up the reproductive system in males and females

See also Germ cell tumors

hemophilia (also called a coagulation disorder)

an inherited bleeding disorder caused by low levels, or absence of, a blood protein that is essential for clotting; hemophilia A is caused by a lack of the blood clotting protein factor VIII; hemophilia B is caused by a deficiency of factor IX.

See also Hemophilia and thrombophilia programA Day’s Anatomy - Inside the life of a pediatric resident

hepatoblastoma

a very rare cancerous tumor that originates in the liver

See also Hepatoblastoma

leukemia

a cancer of the blood-forming tissue. Leukemic cells look different than normal cells and do not function properly.

See also LeukemiaA Day’s Anatomy - Inside the life of a pediatric residentBrother's cancer inspires nurse to work at Children's MemorialJulie Wants To Help OthersLexy finds hope away from home

non-Hodgkin lymphoma

a type of lymphoma, a cancer in the lymphatic system; causes the cells in the lymphatic system to abnormally reproduce, eventually causing tumors to grow. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells can also spread to other organs.

See also Non-Hodgkin lymphomaThe lymphatic systemKiki confronts non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma

osteosarcoma (also called osteogenic sarcoma)

a cancer which affects the bone

See also Orthopaedic surgery/Sports and rehabilitative medicineOsteogenic sarcoma

platelet function disorders

disorders that keep the blood from clotting normally

rhabdomyosarcoma

a cancerous tumor that originates in the soft tissues of the body, including the muscles, tendons, and connective tissues

See also Medical Research Junior Board FoundationRhabdomyosarcomaMaggie's fighting spirit

thrombocytopenia

a decrease in the number of circulating platelets (a blood component that promotes clotting)

See also Hemophilia and thrombophilia program

von Willebrand disease

a form of hemophilia caused by an abnormality in the von Willebrand factor, which is necessary for platelets to be able to attach themselves to a vein or artery to form a clot to stop bleeding.

See also Hemophilia and thrombophilia program

Wilms tumor

also called nephroblastoma, is a cancerous tumor originating in the cells of the kidney

See also Pathology and laboratory medicineSurgery (general)The last word on Wilms tumorWilms tumor