Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Velocidad de sedimentación de eritrocitos
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (eh-RITH-roh-site SEH-dih-men-TAY-shun )
The distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube. The sedimentation rate is increased in inflammation, infection, cancer, rheumatic diseases, and diseases of the blood and bone marrow. Also called ESR and sedimentation rate.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.