Glossary

Basal cell carcinoma: Cancer of the basal cell.

Basal cells: Small, round cells found in the lower part, or base, of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. These cells divide to produce new skin cells, replacing those that die and slough off the surface of the skin.

Benign: Not cancerous.

Biological therapy: The use of the body's immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer or to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also known as immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier therapy.

Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue.

Blood count: The number of red cells, white cells, and platelets in a given blood sample.

Blood smear: A blood test that provides information about the number and shape of blood cells by visual inspection.

Board certified: Refers to a physician who is certified by their specialty board and, in the case of an oncologist, who belongs to the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Bone marrow biopsy: The bone marrow is a soft tissue that is inside some of the larger bones. The bone marrow produces the red and white blood cells and platelets (help the blood to clot). A biopsy is a method of removing a small tissue sample from the body to have it examined under a microscope and possibly analyzed by other tests.