Glossary Terms

Larynx

Voice box. The larynx is part of the breathing system and is found in the throat.

Laser therapy

The use of a very powerful beam of light to kill cancer cells.

Leukaemia

A cancer of the blood or bone marrow that causes the body to make too many white blood cells. Leukaemia is called acute or chronic depending on how fast it develops and gets worse. Acute leukaemia can get worse very quickly. Chronic leukaemia tends to have a longer course. You may have it for months or years without having many symptoms. It may be stable for months or years before it gets worse.

Local recurrence rates

The proportion of people who have a local recurrence of cancer. That is, when cancer comes back at or near the same place as the original tumour, usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected.

Local therapy

Using treatments such as radiotherapy and surgery which affect only a particular area of the body.

Localised cancer

A cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body.

Lumbar puncture

This is a puncture into the spinal cord to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for clinical investigation, to remove excess fluid or to inject medication. It can be used to detect increased CSF pressure, which may indicate brain tumours.

Lumpectomy

The surgical removal of a lump (e.g. a breast lump).

Lymph

A clear, watery fluid that moves around the body through the lymphatic system. Lymph helps to support the body’s immune system.

Lymph Nodes

Located throughout the body, filtering out dangerous substances and producing infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes.

Lymphangiogram

CT and MRI have largely replaced this specialised x-ray of the lymph nodes, but it is still used to investigate for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or Hodgkin’s disease. A dye is injected into the lymph vessels, usually through the skin of the feet. This travels through the lymphatic system and into the lymph nodes and will show up on x-ray. Any lymph nodes that contain cancer will show up as enlarged.

Lymphatic system

The interconnected system of lymph nodes and vessels (small tubes) which carries fluid around the body.

Lymphoedema

Swelling, usually in the arms or legs, which occurs because the lymph vessels are damaged or blocked. This can happen as a result of cancer or cancer treatment.

Lymphoid

Referring to a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes.