Cytotoxic

Any agent or process that kills cells, such as chemotherapy and radiation.  The prefix "cyto" denotes a cell.  (Source: MedicineNet.com)

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT)

Bone marrow transplant is the most familiar form of HCT, involves taking stem cells from donor bone marrow and transplanting them into a patient whose bone marrow is compromised.  The transplanted stem cells can then develop into normal blood cells, and the patient essentially gains a new immune system.

HCT also comprises two newer methods: peripheral blood cell transplantation and cord blood transplantation. Peripheral blood and cord blood (from the umbilical cord) both yield stem cells, which can be transplanted just as bone marrow can.

Diseases treated with HCT include hematologic cancers such as acute and chronic leukemias, lymphomas, Hodgkin’s disease, as well as myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative disorders. HCT is also useful in treating other cancers such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer, as well as noncancerous conditions such as inherited disorders of the bone marrow and autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma.  (Source: City of Hope) 

Intestinal Trefoil Factor (ITF)

Intestinal Trefoil Factor is a naturally found protein found primarily on mucosal surfaces, including those in the mouth, esophagus and intestines.  ITF is also present in other tissues, including the eye and lung.  The protein, also known as TFF3, is known to promote mucosal restitution and repair.  (Source: The GI Company)

Neutropenia

Neutropenia is an abnormally low number of neutrophils in the blood.  Neutrophils serve as the major defense of the body against acute bacterial and certain fungal infections. Neutrophils usually constitute about 45 to 75% of all white blood cells in the bloodstream. When the neutrophil count falls below 1,000 cells per microliter of blood, the risk of infection increases somewhat; when it falls below 500 cells per microliter, the risk of infection increases greatly. Without the key defense provided by neutrophils, people have problems controlling infections and are at risk of dying from an infection. (Source: The Merck Manuals - Home Edition)

Oral Mucositis (OM)

Oral Mucositis is the principal oral side effect of chemotherapy, radiation, and chemoradiation. Altered mucosa can predispose patients to bacterial, fungal, and viral superinfection, and OM often results in physiological/functional impairment and psychological distress, producing a negative impact on quality of life.  (Source: ONCOLOGY Nurse Edition)

Currently available products are usually inadequate, and more effective treatment to minimize the extent and duration of mucositis is clearly needed. Historically, treatment of mucositis has been palliative and aimed at minimizing mucosal trauma. Treatments include frequent mouth cleansing and rinsing with buffered saline and fluoride solutions and administration of topical and systemic antimicrobial agents. Mucositis and infection of the mouth have remained major complications despite the usual oral care provided for patients with cancer.  (Source: Access Pharmaceuticals)

The terms oral mucositis and stomatitis are often used interchangeably at the clinical level, but they do not reflect identical processes. Oral mucositis describes inflammation of oral mucosa resulting from chemotherapeutic agents or ionizing radiation. Mucositis typically manifests as erythema or ulcerations. It may be exacerbated by local factors. Stomatitis refers to any inflammatory condition of oral tissue, including mucosa, dentition/periapices, and periodontium. Stomatitis thus includes infections of oral tissues, as well as mucositis as defined above.  (Source:  National Cancer Institute)

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales. Squamous cells are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Also called epidermoid carcinoma.  (Source: National Cancer Institute)