Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Pediatric Oncology

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Pediatric Oncology 1. Leukemia vs. Lymphoma Leukemia and lymphoma are both types of blood cancers, but they differ in their location. Leukemia primarily affects the bone marrow and blood, while lymphoma typically starts in the lymph nodes. Remember, 'leuk' in leukemia stands for 'white,' referring to abnormal white blood cells, while 'lymph' in lymphoma refers to the lymphatic system. 2. Benign vs. Malignant When we talk about tumors, it's important to differentiate between benign and malignant. A benign tumor is non-cancerous and doesn't spread to other parts of the body. On the other hand, a malignant tumor is cancerous, with the potential to invade nearby tissues and metastasize. Think of 'benign' as 'harmless' and 'malignant' as 'dangerous.' 3. Remission vs. Cure While both terms indicate positive outcomes in cancer treatment, they have distinct meanings. Remission means the absence of detectable cancer cells, but it doesn't guarantee a permanent cure. Cure, on the other hand, implies complete eradication of cancer. Achieving remission is a significant milestone, but the goal is always to aim for a cure. 4. Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care