Letter B

Barium enema The use of a milky solution (barium sulphate) given by an enema via the back passage to allow x-ray examination of the lower intestinal tract.

Basal cell carcinoma The most common type of skin cancer.

Benign A tumour that is not cancerous.

Biological therapy A type of cancer treatment that works with the body’s immune system. It can help fight cancer or help control side effects from other cancer treatments like chemotherapy.

Biomarker A blood or tissue test which gives information about the function of a part of the body or tumour.

Biopsy A small sample of cells taken surgically under local or general anaesthetic from a tumour to be examined under a microscope to look for cancer cells.

Bladder The organ in the body that collects and empties urine.

Blood cells Minute structures produced in the bone marrow; they consist of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

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

Bone marrow The spongy material found inside the bones. Most blood cells are made in the bone marrow.

Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration A procedure where a needle is inserted into a bone to withdraw a sample of bone marrow.

Bone marrow suppression A decrease in the production of bone marrow.

Bone marrow transplant (also called bone marrow reinfusion or auto-transplant) The infusion of bone marrow in to a patient who has been treated with high dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Patients can use their own marrow, which has sometimes been frozen or marrow from a donor.

Bone scan A picture of the bones using a radioactive dye that shows any injury, disease or healing. This test can tell if cancer has spread to the bones, if anticancer therapy has been successful and if bones are healing

Bronchus A branch of the trachea that goes from the trachea into the lung (plural - bronchi)

Bronchioles Numerous small tubes that branch from each bronchus into the lungs. They get smaller and smaller.

Bronchogenic carcinoma A cancer originating in the lungs or airways.

Bronchoscopy The insertion of a flexible, lighted tube through the mouth in to the lungs to examine the lungs and airways.

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