Symbols and abbreviations

α FP
Alpha-fetoprotein

AA
Attendance Allowance

ACE
Angiotensin-converting enzyme

ACTH
Adenocorticotropic hormone

ADH
Antidiuretic hormone

AF
Atrial fibrillation

AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

ALL
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

AML
Acute myeloid leukaemia

BCC
Basal cell carcinoma

BCG
Bacille Calmette-Guérin

BD
Twice daily

BM
Finger-prick capillary blood glucose

BMA
British Medical Association

BP
Blood pressure

BSO
Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

^c
Cochrane review

CEA
Carcinoembryonic antigen

CF
Correction factor

cGIN
Cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia

CHD
Congestive heart disease

CHOP
Cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin (Adriamycin), Oncovin (vincristine), and prednisone/prednisolone

CIN
Cutaneous intraepithelial neoplasia

CLL
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

CML
Chronic myeloid leukaemia

CNS
Central nervous system

COC
Combined oral contraceptive

COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Cr
Creatinine

CRP
C-reactive protein

CT
Computed tomography

CVAD
Central venous access device

CXR
Chest X-ray

dl
Decilitre

DLA
Disability Living Allowance

DLBCL
Diffuse large B cell

DM
Diabetes mellitus

DN
District nurse

DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid

DRE
Digital rectal examination

DVP
Deep vein thrombosis

DWP
Department of Work and Pensions

e.g.
For example

EBV
Epstein–Barr virus

ECG
Electrocardiogram

ECOG
Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group

eGFR
Estimated glomerular filtration rate

EPA
Enduring power of attorney

ESR
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

ERCP
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

FBC
Full blood count

FDG
[18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose

FH
Family history

FOB
Faecal occult blood

FU
Fluorouracil

GFR
Growth factor receptor

GI
Gastrointestinal

GIST
Gastrointestinal stromal tumour

GMC
General Medical Council

GMS
General Medical Services

GnRH
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

GP
General Practitioner

GSA
Global Sum Allocation

GSE
Global Sum Equivalent

h.
Hour

HAART
Highly active anti-retroviral therapy

HCC
Hepatocellular carcinoma

Hb
Haemoglobin

hCG
Human chorionic gonadotropin

HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus

HMMA
4-hydroxy-3-methoxymandelic acid

HPV
Human papilloma virus

HRP
Home Responsibilities Protection

HRT
Hormone replacement therapy

HSV
Herpes simplex virus

IgM
Immunoglobulin M

IM
Intramuscular

INR
International normalized ratio

ITP
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

IUCD
Intrauterine contraceptive device

IV
Intravenous

LH
Lutenizing hormone

LHRH
Lutenizing hormone releasing hormone

LLETZ
Large loop excision of the transformation zone

LMWH
Low-molecular weight heparin

LN
Lymph node

LSD
D-lysergic acid diethylamide

LVF
Left ventricular failure

MALT
Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

mcg
Microgram

MEN
Multiple endocrine neoplasia

mg
Milligram

MGUS
Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance

MHRA
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

MI
Myocardial infarction

mm
Millimetre

mmol
Millimol

MND
Motor neurone disease

mo
Month

MPIG
Minimum practice income guarantee

MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging

MST
Morphine sulphate tablet

MSU
Mid-stream specimen of urine

NHL
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

NI
National Insurance

NSAID
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

od
Once daily

OT
Occupational therapist

PCO
Primary care organization

PE
Pulmonary embolus

PET
Positron emission tomography

PICC
Peripherally inserted central catheter

PiL
Patient information leaflet

PLAP
Placental alkaline phosphatase

PMB
Post menopausal bleed

PMH
Past medical history

PO
Per oral

PPI
Proton pump inhibitor

PPP
Primary proliferative polycythaemia

PR
Per rectum

prn
As needed

PS
Performance status

PSA
Prostate specific antigen

^R
Randomized controlled trial in major journal

RBC
Red blood cell

^S
Systemic review in major journal

SC
subcutaneous

TAH
Total abdominal hysterectomy

TCC
Transitional cell carcinoma

tds
Three times a day

TFTs
Thyroid function tests

TNM
Tumour, node, metastasis

TTS
Transdermal therapeutic

TURBT
Transurethral resection of the bladder tumour

U&E
Urea and electrolytes

UC
Ulcerative colitis

UK
United Kingdom

UMN
Upper motor neurone

US
United States

USS
Ultrasound scan

UTI
Urinary tract infection

VIN
Venous intraepithelial neoplasia

VMA
Vanillylmandelic acid

VQ
Ventilation-perfusion

WCC
White cell count

WHO
World Health Organization

wk
Week

y
Year