A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
B cells: A major class of lymphocytes whose main function is to produce and secrete antibodies.
Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG): A bacterium developed as a form of the inactivated tuberculosis organism and used as an immunologic adjuvant in many cancer vaccines over the years. BCG is used in the CancerVax vaccine, currently being evaluated in clinical trials.
Basal cell carcinoma: A type of skin cancer that arises from the basal cells.
Basal cells: Small, round cells found in the innermost layer of the epidermis. These cells divide to produce new skin cells, replacing those that die and slough off the surface of the skin.
Basal layer: The innermost layer of the epidermis.
Benign: Not cancerous.
Biochemotherapy: The combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy being investigated as a treatment approach for advanced melanoma and as an adjuvant treatment for high-risk melanoma.
Biological therapy (biotherapy): The use of natural and manufactured substances derived from the body in order to fight cancer. Biological therapies include immunotherapy, anti-angiogenesis therapy, gene therapy, and hormonal therapy.
Biopsy: Removal of a piece of tissue for diagnosis by microscopic examination. An incisional biopsy removes only a portion of a suspicous lesion. An excisional biopsy attempts to remove the entire lesion.
Biotherapy: See Biological therapy.
Bleomycin: A chemotherapeutic agent currently under investigation in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
Blood count: The number of red cells, white cells, and platelets in a given blood sample.
Board-certified: Refers to a physician who is certified by one of the American Boards of Medical Specialties or Subspecialties. A board-certified oncologist is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. A board-certified dermatologist is certified by the American Board of Dermatology. A board-certified surgeon is certified by the American Board of Surgery.
Brachytherapy: see Internal radiation therapy.
Breslow thickness: Method, described by Alexander Breslow in 1975, of measuring how deeply the primary tumor has penetrated the skin, regardless of anatomic layer. Tumor penetration is measured in millimeters (mm) from the outermost to the innermost extent of the melanoma. In the 2002 revised staging system for melanoma, Breslow thickness has replaced Clark level as the more accurate method of measuring tumor penetration.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen: A sunscreen that offers protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.