Glossary of Medical Terms

An aggressive (fast-growing) disease in which too many myeloblasts (immature white blood cells that are not lymphoblasts) are found in the bone marrow and blood. Also called acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, AML, and ANLL.

A type of acute myeloid leukemia in which at least 20% of a patient’s blood or bone marrow is myeloblasts (immature white blood cells) and the patient has one of the following conditions: 1) has had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or a myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN) before, 2) cells that have changes in certain chromosomes that are similar to those found in MDS, or 3) at least 50% of the cells (of at least two types of blood cells) are abnormal. Acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes usually occurs in older adults and has a poor prognosis. Also called AML-MRC.

An aggressive (fast-growing) disease in which too many myeloblasts (immature white blood cells that are not lymphoblasts) are found in the bone marrow and blood. Also called acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, AML, and ANLL.

Pain that comes on quickly, can be severe, but lasts a relatively short time.

An infection of the soft tissue around a fingernail or toenail that begins suddenly and can get worse quickly. It is usually caused when bacteria enter through a break in the skin from a hangnail or ingrown toenail, by damage to the cuticle (skin at the base of the nail), or by an injury to the area where the nail and skin meet. Acute paronychia may also sometimes be caused by treatment with certain drugs used to treat cancer or immune system disorders. Signs and symptoms include pain, tenderness, warmth, redness, and swelling around the nail. Pus may form in the skin around or under the nail. When treated, acute paronychia usually heals within 10 days.

An aggressive (fast-growing) type of acute myeloid leukemia in which there are too many immature blood-forming cells in the blood and bone marrow. It is usually marked by an exchange of parts of chromosomes 15 and 17. Also called APL and promyelocytic leukemia.

Serious illness caused by being exposed to high doses of certain types of radiation, usually over a short period of time. Symptoms of acute radiation sickness usually occur right after exposure but they may happen over time, and they may come and go. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, bleeding, hair loss, swelling, itching, and redness of the skin, and other skin problems. Very large doses of radiation may cause death. Also called acute radiation syndrome, radiation poisoning, radiation sickness, and radiation sickness syndrome.

Serious illness caused by being exposed to high doses of certain types of radiation, usually over a short period of time. Symptoms of acute radiation syndrome usually occur right after exposure but they may happen over time, and they may come and go. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, bleeding, hair loss, swelling, itching, and redness of the skin, and other skin problems. Very large doses of radiation may cause death. Also called acute radiation sickness, radiation poisoning, radiation sickness, and radiation sickness syndrome.

Anxiety, fear and other symptoms that occur within one (1) month after exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor.

A substance used to prevent or treat cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex infections that may occur when the body is immunosuppressed. It belongs to the family of drugs called antivirals.