Myelofibrosis Key
Common medical terms used when discussing myelofibrosis care and symptoms include:
Anemia
A condition in which the number of red blood cells is lower than normal.
Aspiration
Removal of fluid or tissue via a needle.
Biomarker
A molecule, such as blood, tissues, or proteins, that may indicate normal or abnormal conditions in the body.
Blood Transfusion
A procedure in which whole blood or parts of blood are put into a patient’s bloodstream through a narrow tube placed within a vein in the arm.
Bone Marrow
A type of tissue found in the center of most bones. It is the place where stem cell and blood cell production occur.
Bone Marrow Biopsy
A type of procedure in which a small sample of bone with bone marrow inside it is removed, usually from the hip bone.
Bone Marrow Transplant
A procedure in which a patient receives healthy stem cells to replace their own abnormal cells that have been intentionally destroyed by treatment with radiation or chemotherapy.
Caregiver
A person who gives care to people who need help taking care of themselves. Examples include health professionals, family members, friends, or social workers.
Fibrosis
The growth of connective tissue to repair or replace inflamed tissues and organs.
Gene
A piece of DNA passed from parent to child. Genes contain the information for making a specific protein.
Genetic Testing
Samples of your cells or tissue can be collected to look for changes in genes, chromosomes, or proteins that may be a sign of a disease or condition, such as cancer. These changes may also be a sign that a person has an increased risk of developing a specific disease or condition.
Genetics
Having to do with genes. Most genes are sequences of DNA that contain information. The information in genes is passed down from parent to child, and sometimes, certain changes in genes can affect a person’s risk of disease, such as cancer.
Genomic Testing
The process of looking at the complete set of DNA (including all of its genes) in a person or other organism. Genomic testing is a method to predict how a patient’s cancer may grow, and which treatments may work best against it.
Healthcare Provider
A licensed person or organization that provides health care services. Examples can include hematologists (blood specialists), oncologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and others.
Hematologist Oncologist
A hematologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats blood disorders, including myelofibrosis, and leads the development and oversight treatment plans.
JAK2
A gene that makes a protein that signals cells to grow and helps control the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets that are made in the bone marrow. Abnormal forms of the JAK gene can be found in some types of blood conditions, including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary MF, which can cause the body to make too many cells.
MRI
A procedure that takes detailed pictures of areas inside the body to help identify disease.
Mutation
Any change in the DNA sequence of a cell.
Myelofibrosis
A blood cancer that is characterized by the buildup of scar tissue in the bone marrow, which disrupts the production of healthy blood cells.
Myeloproliferative Neoplasm
A type of disease in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells, platelets or certain white blood cells.
Neoplasm
An abnormal growth of cells in the body.
Nurse Practitioner
A registered nurse who has additional education and training in how to diagnose and treat disease. In cancer care, a nurse practitioner may manage the primary care of patients and their families, based on a practice agreement with a doctor.
Platelet
Pieces of cell that are found in the blood that help form blood clots to slow or stop bleeding and to help injuries heal.
Splenomegaly
An enlarged spleen.
Thrombocythemia
A condition in which your bone marrow makes too many platelets.
Thrombocytopenia
A condition in which there is a lower-than-normal number of platelets in the blood.
Ultrasound
An image test that uses high-energy sound waves to look at tissues and organs inside the body. The sound waves make echoes that form pictures of the tissues and organs on a computer screen (sonogram). Ultrasound may be used to help diagnose diseases, such as cancer.
X-Ray
A type of radiation used in the diagnosis of cancer and other diseases.
Understanding Myelofibrosis
