Chemotherapy Glossary Terms

ANC (absolute neutrophil count)—ANC refers to the percentage of the total white blood cell count that is made up of cells called neutrophils. Neutrophils are particularly important because they defend our bodies against infection.

Anemia—Anemia is a lower-than-normal number of red cells in the blood. Red blood cells are important because they carry oxygen from the lungs to all other cells in the body. Shortness of breath, fatigue, and weakness are signs of anemia.

Bacteria—The smallest forms of life. Bacteria are the most common causes of infections in people with cancer. Some types of bacteria include Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and salmonella.

Chemotherapy—The use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. A person on chemotherapy may take one drug or a combination of drugs. Most often these drugs are given by vein using intravenous (IV) infusion. Some can be taken by mouth or given in a shot.

Chemotherapy regimen—A plan of drug treatment, including doses, scheduling, and duration of administration.

Colony-stimulating factors—Also called CSFs, colony-stimulating factors are drugs that promote the production of various blood cells. Examples of CSFs are NEUPOGEN® (filgrastim) and Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim).

CBC (complete blood count)—The CBC is a test that determines the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood.

Dose delay—Stopping a treatment regimen for a period of time. Febrile neutropenia is a common cause of chemotherapy dose delays.

Dose reduction—Decreasing the amount of medication during treatment. Febrile neutropenia is a common cause of chemotherapy dose reductions.

Febrile neutropenia—Having a fever and a low white blood cell count (neutropenia). Having a fever during neutropenia is often a sign of infection.

Hb (hemoglobin)—The part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to other organs in the body, such as the brain and the heart. A person with a low hemoglobin level may have anemia. Written as Hb or Hgb on CBC reports.

Hct (hematocrit)—A blood test that measures the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream. The lower the hematocrit, the lower the number of red blood cells in the blood. A person with a low hematocrit may have anemia. Written as Hct on CBC reports.

Hospitalization for febrile neutropenia—Febrile neutropenia that is severe enough to send you to the hospital.

Infection—An invasion of microorganisms that have the ability to multiply and produce disease.

IV (intravenous)—Into a vein. An intravenous medication is delivered into the body through a vein.

Lymphoma—Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system.

Myelosuppressive—Causing the blood marrow to slow production of blood cells. This results in fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets available to perform their normal functions in the body. Chemotherapy can cause decreased bone marrow function. Most often, myelosuppression refers to the loss of white blood cells

Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim)—A prescription medicine used to help reduce the risk of infection (initially marked by fever) in patients with some tumors receiving strong chemotherapy that decreases the number of infection-fighting white blood cells.

NEUPOGEN® (filgrastim)—A prescription medicine used to help reduce the risk of infection (initially marked by fever) in patients with some tumors receiving strong chemotherapy that decreases the number of infection-fighting white blood cells.

Neutropenia—Neutropenia occurs if there is a lower-than-normal number of neutrophils (infection-fighting white blood cells) in the blood. It is a common side effect of some chemotherapy treatment. Doctors check the number of neutrophils when they measure the white blood cell count, to monitor the risk of infection.

Neutrophil—The most common type of white blood cell. Neutrophils help the body fight infection. A low white blood cell count usually indicates that the neutrophil count is low. It is easier to get an infection and harder to recover from an infection when the number of neutrophils in the bloodstream is low.

Oncologist—A doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer.

Oncology—The branch of medicine that focuses on the study and treatment of cancer.

Platelets—One of the 3 types of cells made in the bone marrow. The main function of platelets is to aid in clotting the blood following an injury.

Radiation—The use of radioactive substances for the diagnosis or treatment of diseases.

RBC (red blood cell)—Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow and released into the blood. They circulate in the blood and carry oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from every cell in the body.

Risk factor—Anything that increases the chance of getting a certain disease, such as cancer. Some risk factors are genetic while others are environmental.

Side effect—Any undesired actions or effects of a drug or treatment. For example, common side effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Treatment schedule—How often and how much medication you will receive to treat your disease.

Thrombocytopenia—A condition resulting from an abnormally low number of platelets (thrombocytes) circulating in the blood. Bleeding and/or bruising may occur if the platelet count is especially low.

Virus—The smallest known germ and a common cause of infection. Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot grow on their own. Viruses can only make new viruses when they are inside living cells, such as human cells.

WBC (white blood cell)—A white blood cell is one of the three main types of blood cells. White blood cells are responsible for fighting infection. There are several kinds of white blood cells, including monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

What are Neulasta® and NEUPOGEN®?

Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) and NEUPOGEN® (Filgrastim) are prescription medications used to reduce the risk of infection (initially marked by fever) in patients with some tumors receiving strong chemotherapy that decreases the number of infection-fighting white blood cells.

Important Safety Information

Who should not take Neulasta® or NEUPOGEN®?
Do not take Neulasta® or NEUPOGEN® if you have had an allergic reaction to Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) or to NEUPOGEN® (Filgrastim).

Do Neulasta® and NEUPOGEN® prevent all infections?
Neulasta® or NEUPOGEN® may reduce your chance of getting an infection, but it does not prevent all infections. An infection can happen anytime your neutrophil counts are low. Look for signs of infection, such as fever, chills, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, or redness, swelling, or pain around a cut or sore. If you have any of these signs, contact your health care professional immediately.

What are possible serious side effects of Neulasta® and NEUPOGEN®?
Your spleen may become enlarged and can rupture while taking Neulasta® or NEUPOGEN. A ruptured spleen can cause death. The spleen is located in the upper left section of your stomach area. Call your doctor right away if you have pain in the left upper stomach area or left shoulder tip area. This pain could mean your spleen is enlarged or ruptured.

A serious lung problem called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been reported with Neulasta® and NEUPOGEN use. Call your doctor or seek emergency care right away if you have shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or a fast rate of breathing.

Neulasta® and NEUPOGEN can cause serious allergic reactions. These reactions can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, swelling around the mouth or eyes, fast pulse, sweating, and hives. If you start to have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or seek emergency care right away. If you have an allergic reaction during the injection, stop the injection. Call your doctor right away.

You may have a serious sickle cell crisis if you have a sickle cell disorder and take Neulasta® or NEUPOGEN. Serious and sometimes fatal sickle cell crises can occur in patients with sickle cell disorders receiving NEUPOGEN. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of sickle cell crisis such as pain or difficulty breathing.

What are the most common side effects of Neulasta® and NEUPOGEN®?
The most common side effect you may experience is aching in the bones and muscles. If this happens, it can usually be relieved with a nonaspirin pain reliever, such as acetaminophen.

Some people experience redness, swelling, or itching at the site of injection. If you notice any signs of a local reaction, call your doctor.

If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.