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N
Nadir
The lowest point in white cell, red cell, and platelet counts following
treatment, usually ten days to two weeks following chemotherapy
or radiation. Patients are cautioned to be extra careful with exposure
to infection and avoiding anything that could cause bleeding during
this time. In some cases, growth factors are given to encourage
the bone marrow to regenerate cells more rapidly.
Necrosis
or Necrotic
Referring to tissue that has died.
Negative
Predictive Value
The proportion of cases with a negative test
who are found by diagnostic evaluation to not have the disease in
question. The higher the negative predictive value, the lower the
number of false negative results.
Neoadjuvant
Therapy
Any treatment given before the primary treatment.
Neoadjuvant therapy can be chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormone
therapy.
Neoplasia
Abnormal new growth of cells.
Neoplasm
A new growth of tissue which may be benign or malignant.
Neupogen
See G-CSF.
Neurologist
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders
of the nervous system.
Neuroma
A tumor that arises in nerve cells.
Neurosurgeon
A doctor who specializes in surgery on the brain and other parts
of the nervous system.
Neutrophil
A type of white blood cell.
Neutropenia
A low white blood cell count of neutrophils, the cells most crucial
in the body's fight against infection. This is often a side effect
of chemotherapy drugs. Neutropenia affects as many as one in three
patients receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Cancer cells
grow and divide very quickly. Chemotherapy works by acting mainly
on quickly dividing cells. But these drugs can't tell the difference
between a growing tumor and some normal cells, such as neutrophils,
the cells in your blood that surround and destroy bacteria in your
body, which also divide quickly. Neutrophils are also killed by
the chemotherapy. This is a potentially serious complication, and
patients should avoid exposure to situations that may put them at
risk of infection while their immune system is compromised.
Patients with Neutropenia can develop fever and infections. They
may need to be hospitalized and given very strong and costly antibiotics.
Nipple
Discharge
Fluid, blood or mucous secretions coming from
the nipple.
Nitrosoureas
A group of anticancer drugs that can cross the blood-brain barrier.
Carmustine (BCNU) and lomustine (CCNU) are nitrosoureas.
No
Evidence of Disease (NED)
Disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer.
When this happens, the disease is said to be "in remission." A remission
may be temporary or permanent.
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