The Furry Monkey

TERMINOLOGY - R

 

Radiotherapist
A doctor specialising in the treatment of cancer with radiation. Also known as a clinical oncologist.

Radiotherapy
Radiation treatment. Very powerful x-ray beam which helps to combat Lymphoma. It causes damage to the cells to a greater degree than normal cells.

Recurrence
The return of cancer after a period of being diagnosed cancer free (in remission).

Red Blood Cell
A blood cell tha carries oxygen to the cells of the body and removes carbon dioxide.

Red Blood Cell Count
A measurement of the number of red blood cells in a sample of blood.

Reed Sternberg Cells
Abnormal cells with a characteristic appearance of (under the microscope) 'owl eyes'. If present, this indicates Hodgkins disease.

Regimen
A combination of drugs and how they are administered.

Regression
A reduction in symptoms or disease process.

Relapse
The return of cancer after it has been treated and the patient has been in remission. Lymphoma may recur in the area where it first started, or it may relapse in another place.

Remission
The absence of disease. A patient is in remission when the lymphoma has been treated adn tumours have diminished by at least 50% ([partial) or have disappeared completely (complete). Remission does not necessarily mean cure. For patients with intermediate or aggressive lymphomas, complete remission must be maintained for a period of time, usually three to five or more years, before cure is considered. Patients with low-grade tumours are usually not considered cured because the disease can reappear.

Risk Factors
Factors that may increase the chance that a person will develop NHL. It is important to note that most people with risk factors never develop NHL, and many who are diagnosed have no identifiable risk factors.