Refers to the number of neutrophils in the blood. Healthcare providers use ANC to help monitor the risk of infection in patients undergoing cancer treatment.

A condition marked by a rapid increase in the number of immature white blood cells called "lymphoblasts," which fail to function as normal cells; leaves the body susceptible to anemia, infection, and bleeding.

A condition that occurs in which the infection-fighting white blood cells do not mature fast enough, leaving the body susceptible to anemia and infection.

A subtype of AML. APL patients undergo a different treatment regimen than those with AML.

Bone marrow transplantation that utilizes healthy cells harvested from a donor for a patient after he or she undergoes chemotherapy and/or radiation. (see: bone marrow transplant)

A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells; can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and a pale complexion.

A class of medications used to treat infections.

Proteins produced by B cells that attach to specific antigens and mark them for destruction.

Any substance capable of eliciting an immune response.

A process wherein certain immune cells (i.e., macrophages and dendritic cells) attack an antigen, capture a portion of it, and present it to T cells, which then aggressively seek out and destroy those specific antigens.