Glossary

Abdomen

The area of the body below the chest and above the pelvis. The abdomen contains most of the major organs.

Bilirubin

A substance formed from the normal breakdown of red blood cells in the liver and removed from the body through the digestive system. If the liver is not functioning properly, bilirubin may build up in the blood and cause yellowing of the skin (jaundice).

Drugs that may damage the liver

Some of these are cyclophosphamide, busulfan, gemtuzumab ozogamicin or inotuzumab ozogamicin, tacrolimus, and sirolimus.

Liver

The liver has many functions, including removing waste from blood before it goes to the rest of the body. It is located in the abdomen on the right side, just below the rib cage. “Hepatic” refers to the liver.

Liver biopsy

In this procedure, a small piece of liver tissue is removed so it can be examined under a microscope.

Liver enzymes

Proteins in the liver that help speed up chemical reactions. When the liver is injured, liver enzymes are increased in the blood.

Metabolic syndrome

A group of conditions that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess fat in the abdominal area, and abnormal cholesterol, which are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Platelet

A type of blood cell that helps the blood to clot to stop bleeding.

Preexisting liver conditions

These may increase the chances of developing veno-occlusive disease (VOD) and include cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), hepatitis (an inflammation impacting the liver), and hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease).

Ultrasound

A probe is gently moved over the skin to provide a view of structures within the abdomen. A Doppler ultrasound is a special type of ultrasound that may be performed to show blood flow in the liver.