M protein
M protein An antibody or part of an antibody that is found in unusually large amounts in the blood or urine of patients with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer that arises in plasma cells.
M protein An antibody or part of an antibody that is found in unusually large amounts in the blood or urine of patients with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer that arises in plasma cells.
macrogenitosomia A condition in which the external sex organs are prematurely or abnormally enlarged. Macrogenitosomia is associated with hormonal disorders that may also create changes in the internal sex organs.
macrocytic Literally, referring to any abnormally large cell; in practice, referring to an abnormally large red blood cell. For example, macrocytic anemia is characterized by abnormally large red blood cells. The opposite of macrocytic is microcytic.
-lytic Suffix having to do with lysis, as in hemolytic anemia (anemia due to the destruction of red blood cells).
-lysis Suffix indicating destruction, as in hemolysis (the destruction of red blood cells with the release of hemoglobin).
lymphoreticulosis, benign See cat scratch fever.
lymphoproliferative disorders Malignant diseases of the lymphoid cells and of cells from the reticuloendothelial system that usually occur in people with compromised immune systems, such as patients with AIDS and recent transplant patients. Lymphoproliferative disorders can be associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. See also EpsteinBarr virus.
lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s A form of lymphoma in which malignant tumors arise in the lymphatic system. Abbreviated NHL. Several subtypes of cancer are classified as NHL, all of which originate in and spread via the lymphatic system. Symptoms of NHL depend on the location of the tumor, but can include swollen, but not painful, lymph nodes;…
lymphoma, lymphoblastic A rapidly moving, aggressive form of lymphoma that is most often seen in children or young adults. Since it is a tumor consisting of early lymphocyte precursors (lymphoblasts) it is believed to represent the same disease entity as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Lymphoblastc lymphoma is a term that has been used in the…
lymphoma, large cell Cancer of the lymphatic tissue that is characterized by unusually large cells when viewed microscopically.
lymphoma, AIDS-related A condition that occurs in people with AIDS, in which lymphoid tumors are present, presumably due to immune-system impairment. Treatment is like that of other lymphomas but must take into account the fact that the natural immunity is impaired.
lymphoma A tumor of the lymphoid tissue. The major types of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). NHL can in turn be divided into low-grade, intermediate-grade, high-grade, and miscellaneous lymphomas. The course of NHL varies greatly, from indolent to rapidly fatal. Treatment options include chemo and radiation therapy.