Barium enema    
The milky solution (barium sulfate) given by an enema to allow x-ray examination of the lower intestinal tract.

Barium swallow   
The milky solution (barium sulfate) given orally to allow x-ray examination of the upper intestinal tract.

Basal cell carcinoma    
The most common type of skin cancer.

Benign   
Describes a swelling or growth that is not cancerous and does not spread from one part of the body to another.

Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin   (?-HCG)

Biofeedback    
Technique that provides a person with information about his/her physiologic state (level of relaxation, for example) with the goal of eventually learning to control that state.

Biopsy    
The surgical removal of tissue for microscopic examination for diagnosis.

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

Blood count   
A test that counts the number of different cells that are contained in the blood.

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

Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration    
The procedure by which a needle is inserted into a bone to withdraw a sample of the bone marrow.

Bone marrow suppression    
A decrease in the production number of blood cells.

Bone marrow transplant   
The addition of bone marrow into a patient who has been treated with high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Patients may use their own marrow which has been frozen in some cases.

Bone scan   
A picture of the bones using a radioactive dye that shows any injury, disease, or healing. This is a valuable test to determine if cancer has spread to the bone, if anticancer therapy is successful, and if affected bony areas are healing.

Brachytherapy    
Radiation treatment that uses radioactive pellets inserted into a flexible tube placed inside the breathing passage to directly treat a lung cancer.

Breast self-examination    (BSE)
A manual examination of the breasts.

Bronchogenic carcinoma    
A cancer originating in the lungs or airways.

Bronchoscope    
Long, thin flexible or rigid tube used to look into the breathing passages of the lung.

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