- For Patients

Glossary of terms


Also called Coumadin®
One of a class of medications called anticoagulants, or blood thinners, which work by decreasing the clotting ability of the blood.

white blood cells
Also known as lymphocytes.
Cells that circulate in the blood and are responsible for both directly and indirectly fighting infection by attacking foreign invaders of the body.

wire localization
Guided by an imaging modality such as magnetic resonance imaging, a wire is inserted through a hollow needle to a lesion, or suspicious area of cells and tissue. The wire then guides the surgeon to the area so that the abnormal tissue can be surgically removed for examination.