CCA has compiled an online glossary of colon cancer-related terms to help you familiarize yourself with the language used on this site or used by your doctor. For more information or questions about the glossary, please contact info@ccalliance.org.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Abdomen The part of the body between the chest and the pelvis.

Abdominoperineal resection (APR) Surgical procedure in which some of the organs of the abdomen and pelvis are removed to prevent further spreading of the cancer, sometimes done for rectal cancer.

Adhesion Scar tissue that binds connecting surfaces; often causes complications, such as pain or constipation, in a post surgical patient.

Adenocarcinoma Cancer that begins in cells that line certain internal organs and that have glandular (secretory) properties. 90% of all colorectal cancers are adenocarcinoma.

Ademona A usually benign (non-cancerous) tumor of glandular tissue.

Adjuvant therapy Medical treatment provided to a patient in addition to surgery to aid in the killing of cancer cells; adjuvant (meaning one that helps) chemotherapy and radiation therapy are both used in colorectal cancer treatment in an effort to eliminate all cancerous cells from the body, increasing the chances for a cure.

Advanced Directives A legal document that states your wishes about health care choices or names someone else to make those choices if you become unable to do so. An advance directive can be simple or complex. In other words, it can be general with little direction about care, or it can be very specific, detailing your wishes regarding acceptance or refusal of all types of life-sustaining treatments. The advance directive may also include a statement about organ and tissue donation.

Alopecia Loss of hair or baldness, usually temporary, hair may re grow after treatment is finished.

Alternative Treatment Treatments used in the place of standard mainstream treatments; scientifically unproven therapies.

Anastamosis Surgically connecting two ends of bowel after resection, may be done at the time of resection or during an ostomy reversal.

Anemia A condition in which there is a decrease in the number of red blood cell (RBC's) or hemoglobin (Hg), may occur with chemotherapy or post-operatively, symptoms may include shortness of breath, pale skin (pallor), pale mucus membranes (gums etc.), heart palpitations and tiredness or fatigue.

Angiogenesis Development of new blood vessels usually feeding a tumor; anti-angiogenesis drugs attempt to block the formation of these blood vessels.

Anti-angiogenesis Anti-angiogenic drugs attempt to block the formation of new blood vessels needed for tumor growth and spread.

Antibody A protein in the blood produced by immune cells to fight off diseases.

Antiemetic Remedies intended to control or reduce nausea and vomiting.

Antigen A substance that induces antibody production.

Apoptosis Programmed self-destruction of cells.

Arterial access device Semi permanent device that allows a doctor or nurse direct access to an artery without having to put a needle in the artery (IV) every time treatment is given. Examples include chemo-port, port or picc-line.

Anxiety State of intense apprehension, uncertainty, and fear resulting from the anticipation of a threatening event or situation.

Arms (Clinical Trials) Clinical trials can include multiple "arms." Each arm is a study group of patients receiving a specific treatment or combination of treatments that is being compared to other treatment arms as well as to the control arm. The "control arm" is the best available standard treatment.

Ascites Abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen that may cause swelling or bloating. In late-stage cancer, tumor cells may be found in the fluid in the abdomen. Ascites also occurs in patients with liver disease.

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B

Barium x-ray Practice of using the metal barium in liquid form, in combination with x-rays, to create a picture of the intestines.

Benign Not cancerous. Benign tumors do not spread to tissues around them or to other parts of the body.

Best Available Standard Treatment Also known as the control treatment, the best available standard treatment is the current treatment that has shown the best results in past trials. The standard is evolving as clinical trials identify new treatments with better results. If a patient is in a Phase 3 clinical trial (below), he will get either an ‘experimental’ treatment or the best available standard treatment (control treatment).

Biological therapy The use of substances that normally occur in the body in small amounts; used in larger doses to treat disease.

Biopsy Removal of tissue to see if it is cancerous.

Bolus Infusion A single dose of drug usually injected into a blood vessel over a short period of time. Also called a bolus.

Bowel obstruction Blockage or clogging of the intestines.

BRAT diet Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast diet; this combination of foods can sometimes be used to stop or slow down diarrhea.

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C

Cachexia General weight loss and muscle wasting that may occur during the course of a chronic illness such as cancer.

Calorie A unit of measure that reflects how much energy is present in a food.

Cancer Center See National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) A protein marker in the blood that may be present with some cancers and other diseases; may be used in some cases of colorectal cancer to monitor response to treatment or disease recurrence.

Carcinoma Cancer derived from the cells lining organs or epithelial tissue.

CAT Scan A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computerized axial tomography, computed tomography (CT scan), or computerized tomography.

CEA Carcinoembryonic antigen. A substance that is sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood of people with certain cancers.

Cecum The first part of the large intestines, located on the right side of the abdomen. The appendix is attached to the cecum.

Cell The smallest living unit capable of independent existence. Humans are made up of billions and billions of cells.

Chemoembolization A procedure in which the blood supply to the tumor is
blocked surgically or mechanically and anticancer agents are administered
directly into the tumor. This permits a higher concentration of drug to be
in contact with the tumor for a longer period of time.

Chemotherapy The treatment of disease by chemical agents.

Colon The part of the large intestine that extends from the end of the small intestine (cecum) to the rectum.

Colonoscope Flexible, elongated tube that can be inserted through the anus and passed through the colon allowing visualization of the inside.

Colonoscopy Visual examination of the inner surface of the colon by means of a colonoscope.

Colostomy Procedure to create an opening of the colon through the skin of the abdomen to allow for the passage of feces; also the opening itself.

Compassionate Use Trial A way to provide an investigational therapy to a patient who is not eligible to receive that therapy in a clinical trial, but who has a serious or life-threatening illness for which other treatments are not available. Also called expanded access trial.

Complimentary Therapy Treatments used along with standard mainstream treatments usually to help relieve symptoms or to help the patient feel better.

Continuous Infusion The administration of a fluid into a blood vessel, usually over a prolonged period of time.

CT scan Computed tomography scan; special type of x-ray that uses a computer to give the doctor a more detailed look at the internal organs than a regular x-ray.

Curative treatment Treatment for a disease that is intended to cure the patient of the disease. Also called adjuvant therapy.

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D

Dehydration The loss of total body water; in colorectal cancer, this can occur because of vomiting, diarrhea, or low fluid intake.

Depression A psychological disorder with symptoms such as sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes thoughts of suicide.

Differentiated Refers to how specialized a cell is to perform a specific function; in cancer, the more specialized or differentiated the cancer cell is, the closer to normal it is. See histologic grade.

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E

EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) A protein on the surface of some tumor cells, which may increase growth and spread of the cancer.

Electrolyte Any of various ions, such as sodium, potassium, or chloride, required by cells to regulate the electric charge and flow of water across the cell membranes.

Endocavitary irradiation Use of radiation inside the body cavity, to reduce the size of a tumor; used in rectal cancer by placing a radioactive beam inside the rectum through a special scope.

Enterostomal therapist Nurse or therapist who specializes in the care and maintenance of a stoma or an ostomy.

Erbitux A biological chemo agent that targets cells that express EGFR which increases cell growth.

Erythema Redness of the skin.

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) The sending of radiation from outside the body toward a tumor or potential tumor site inside the body.

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F

Feces The matter discharged from the bowel during bowel movements consisting mostly of the waste material from food.

Fellow Doctor who has completed his or her residency (general training), but is specializing in a field such as medical oncology or radiation oncology. A fellow is under the supervision of a senior physician.

Fiberoptic Thin fibers of glass or plastic inside an instrument that allow the inside of the body to be seen.

5-FU A drug that is used in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called anti-metabolites. Also called fluorouracil. It interferes with DNA and RNA replication in cells.

FOBT (Fecal Occult Blood Test) Looks for blood in small amount of feces.

FOLFOX An abbreviation for a type of combination chemotherapy that is used to treat colorectal cancer. It includes fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The FDA’s role is to oversee the pharmaceutical research conducted by drug companies, university research centers and physicians to make sure that federal regulations governing this research are followed.

FOLFIRI An abbreviation for a type of combination chemotherapy that is used to treat colorectal cancer. It includes fluorouracil, leucovorin and irinotecan.

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G

Genetic material Material that gives us heredity from our parents; genes are made up of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).

Gluten Wheat gum; the protein part of wheat and some other grains.

Gray Unit of measure used by radiation oncologists to calculate the amount of radiation used in cancer treatments.

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H I J K

Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) The delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to the liver through a catheter placed in the hepatic artery. This is most often done in the operating room with general anesthesia and an open procedure. A pump is implanted percutaneously (under the skin) for delivery of chemotherapy. The type and the schedule of chemotherapy delivered via the pump will depend on the physician. Generally, the pump is filled with chemotherapy once a month. Body temperature and the mechanism of the pump allow chemotherapy to be delivered continuously at a slow rate directly to the liver. The physician may choose to also give systemic chemotherapy in conjunction with HAI.

Histologic Grade A microscopic measure of how aggressive a tumor is. Grade I-well differentiated, the least aggressive. Grade II-moderately differentiated, Grade III-poorly differentiated and Grade IV-undifferentiated.

Hospice A special kind of care for people in the final phase of illness, their families and caregivers; the care may take place in the patient's home or in a homelike facility.

Ileostomy Surgical creation of an artificial opening through which the last segment of the small intestine discharges digestive waste material directly to the outside of the body through the skin.

Immune system System of the body that is responsible for fighting off disease, includes B-cells that produce antibodies.

Immunomodulator Drug that alters, suppresses, or strengthens the body’s immune system.

Informed Consent The principle of informed consent means that patients have the right to be fully informed about a trial before agreeing to participate in that trial. The patient receives complete trial information, including treatment specifics, potential risks, benefits and side effects. The patient must sign an "informed consent form" before he or she is allowed to participate. If the protocol changes during the trial, the informed consent process is repeated.

Infusion Introduction of fluid or medicines (such as saline solution or chemotherapy drugs) into an artery or vein. May be given over several hours or days.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Each research institution has an Institutional Review Board. The IRB, which includes non-medical and medical people, reviews all protocols for patient safety. The board also reviews the consent information given to patients who are thinking about participating in the trial, to make sure that it is written in clear, understandable language.

Intern Doctor in his or her first year of training after graduating from medical school; an intern is under the supervision of other doctors.

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) Radiation treatment given during an operation that takes place inside the body.

Irinotecan A chemotherapy drug sometimes known as CPT-11, interferes with DNA replication.

Kegel exercises Named for a 20th century U.S. gynecologist, these exercises consist of alternately contracting and relaxing the perineal muscles in order to gain more control over their movement. These exercises can be used to counteract urinary incontinence, decrease painful intercourse, or gain active control of the perineum.

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L

Large intestine The last part of the digestive tract; it is divided into sections: ascending beginning at the cecum on the right side, transverse which is horizontal and descending which is on the left side and includes the sigmoid and the rectum. The primary function is the absorption of water and the formation and collection of feces. Cancer can occur anywhere in the large intestines with 38% occurring in the ascending colon , 18% transverse, 18% descending and 35% in the rectum/sigmoid.

Local excision Act or procedure of removing a diseased part by surgical means; local excision is the removal of the diseased tissue close to the affected organ.

Low anterior resection (LAR) Surgical procedure used to remove the cancerous tissue in colorectal cancer.

Lymph nodes Bean-like structures throughout the body that are part of the immune system that helps the body fight off infection by producing white blood cells (lymphocytes).

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M

Malignant Cancerous

Medical oncologist Medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer.

Metastasis Spread of a disease from the part of the body where it started to another part of the body beyond the regional lymph nodes.

Metastasize To pass into or invade by metastasis. (see above)

Methotrexate a chemotherapy drug used to treat cancer.

Monoclonal antibodies a laboratory-produced substance that can locate and bind to cancer cells wherever they are in the body. Many monoclonal antibodies are used in cancer detection or therapy; each one recognizes a different protein on certain cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies can be used alone, or they can be used to deliver drugs, toxins, or radioactive material directly to a tumor.

MRI magnetic resonance imaging – specialized way to look at the organs of the body using magnetic energy and a computer.

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N

Nasogastric (NG) tube A tube that is passed through the nose and down through the nasopharynx and esophagus into the stomach. It is a flexible tube made of rubber or plastic, and it has bidirectional potential. It can be used to remove the contents of the stomach, including air, to decompress the stomach, or to remove small solid objects and fluid, such as poison, from the stomach. An NG tube can also be used to put substances into the stomach, and so it may be used to place nutrients directly into the stomach when a patient cannot take food or drink by mouth.

National Cancer Institute (NCI) NCI is a federal agency that oversees the nation’s cancer research programs. Many clinical trials are funded by and/or conducted with NCI. There are also NCI Cancer Centers around the country; these are clinical and research facilities that meet NCI criteria and standards for cancer research. The criteria and list of the centers can be found at http://cancercenters.cancer.gov.

Nausea A symptom resulting from the inclination to vomit.

NED No evidence of disease.

Neutropenia Presence of abnormally low numbers of white blood cells (neutrophils) in the circulating blood lowering the body's ability to fight off infection.

Nurse Practitioner (NP) A nurse who has a Master's or doctorate who is able to diagnose, prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests.

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O P Q

Off-Label Use of a drug for a disease or condition other than the indication for which it was approved by the FDA.

Ostomy Artificial stoma, or opening, from the urinary or digestive system to the skin, may be permanent or reversed. See anastamosis.

Palliative treatment Treatment that relieves symptoms, such as pain, but is not expected to cure the disease. The main purpose is to improve the patient's quality of life. Also called palliative care; supportive care.

Parametrium Area around the uterus or womb in women.

Partial response A result of cancer treatment that was not able to completely rid the body of the cancer, but did result in either stopping the growth of tumor(s) or caused shrinkage in the tumor(s).

Pathologist A doctor who examines the cells and tissues removed during surgery.

Pelvic exenteration Surgical removal of all of the organs of the pelvis; performed to treat cancers of the rectum or other pelvic organs.

Pelvis Area of the body surrounded by the hips; includes the bladder, prostate, uterus, and other organs.

Penile implant A flexible and/or inflatable device surgically placed along the length of the penis in order to provide penile rigidity; used for men who have problems either getting or maintaining an erection, to enable them to have sexual intercourse.

Penile injection Process in which medication is injected into the penis to allow the production and maintenance of an erection; used for men who have problems either getting or maintaining an erection, to enable them to have sexual intercourse.

Peritonitis Inflammation of the lining of the abdomen.

PET scan Positron emission tomography – specialized way to look at the organs of the body according to how fast they use sugar; can be used to detect cancerous cells. Cancer cells have a high metabolism and use sugar faster than non-cancerous cells.

Phases for cancer trials A trial’s phase defines the type of testing occurring at a specific point. Clinical trials for anti-cancer drugs are conducted in three phases:

• Phase 1 trials 10 - 80 patients are enrolled to test dosage levels and the best way to apply the treatment (pills or injections; daily, hourly, weekly or continuously); side effects are monitored and used to determine the appropriate dosage levels for Phase 2 testing
• Phase 2 trials 40 - 300 patients to examine the effectiveness and safety of the treatment for selected types of cancers
• Phase 3 trials 300 - 5,000 patients, systematically compares the outcomes — the effectiveness and side effects — of the best available standard treatment and the experimental treatment(s).

The phase of the trial is not necessarily related to the stage of the cancer being studied. There are Phase 1 trials for all stages of cancer.

Physician Assistant (PA) a person licensed to practice medicine under the supervision of a doctor.

Placebo Compound with no real effect on the body (usually sugar) that is identical in appearance to the drug that is undergoing experimental research.

Polyp Mass of tissue that bulges or projects outward or upward from the epithelial lining of the digestive tract. Adenomatous polyps are the most common and most likely to become cancerous.

Polypectomy Surgical removal of a polyp.

Port Small, semi-permanent device that allows for the introduction of drugs (like chemotherapy) into a patient’s artery or vein without the need for repeated IVs.

Protocols (Clinical Trial Protocol) A protocol is a blueprint for the trial, which describes how the trial will proceed, what types of patients will be eligible for the trial, the number of patients required, the type of care they will receive and so on. All protocols are reviewed by the sponsoring group (for example, the NCI or FDA) and the IRB (Institutional Review Board) of the institution where the research is being conducted to ensure patients are fully informed and that risks are minimized. See phases above.

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R

Radiationfrequency Ablation (RFA) causes the cellular destruction of soft tissue by destroying them with heat. Heat is generated through agitation caused by alternating electrical current (radiofrequency energy) moving through tissue. The heat results in local cell coagulation: coagulated cells die and cannot continue to grow. The patient undergoing radiofrequency ablation receives IV sedation and grounding pads are placed on the legs. A thin needle is inserted into the tumor, visualized by CT scan or MRI, and electrical current is passed through the tip of the needle which becomes very hot and destroys the tumor. The procedure lasts 10 - 15 minutes and the patient goes home on the same day.The majority of patients do not experience side effects and resume normal activity the following day.

Radiation oncologist Doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer using radiation.

Radiation therapist Person who assists the radiation oncologist and who usually delivers the daily radiation treatments.

Radiation therapy Use of radiation (high energy x-rays) to eliminate or alleviate symptoms associated with tumors by shrinking or eliminating the tumors. In some cases used prior to surgery for rectal cancer.

Randomize To arrange by chance usually associated with clinical trials.

Rectum The last part of the large intestine where stool is stored prior to evacuation through the anus (external opening of the digestive system).

Recurrence Cancer that has come back after treatment. Local recurrence means that the cancer has come back at the same place as the original cancer. Regional recurrence means that the cancer has come back in the lymph nodes near the first site. Distant recurrence is when cancer metastasizes after treatment to organs or tissues (such as the lungs, liver, bone marrow, or brain) farther from the original site than the regional lymph nodes.

Remission In oncology, a period of time during which there is an apparent absence of cancer in the body.

Resection (colectomy) Surgical removal of diseased tissue with a margin of normal tissue and regional (nearby) lymph nodes. Radical resection involves the above and includes the blood supply to the area. Resections may also be partial or limited depending on the extent of the disease.

Resident Doctor who has completed his or her first year of training (internship) after graduating medical school, but who is still in the process of his or her general training; residents are supervised by other doctors.

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S

Screening The search for disease, such as cancer, in people without symptoms.

Sexual dysfunction Abnormal functioning of the sexual organs, or difficulty engaging in sexual activity.

Sigmoidoscopy Inspection, through a fiberoptic scope, of the inside of the sigmoid colon which is the part of the large intestine that empties into the rectum.

Simulation Process before radiation therapy in which the doctor and therapists measure the patient and decide how to direct the radiation.

Situational anxiety A painful or apprehensive uneasiness due to a stressful situation such as a long-term illness.

Stage Period in the course of a disease; in cancer, a description of the extent of cancer involvement of the various parts of the body. See TNM.

Stoma Artificial opening between a body cavity or canal (such as the colon) and the skin.

Stomatitis Inflammation, redness or sores of the lining inside the lips and mouth, also called canker sores; may also refer to redness or irritation around the stoma of an ostomy site.

Stool Discharge of the bowels, the digestive waste matter discharged at one movement of the bowels; also called feces.

Support network Friends, family, coworkers, and others who provide care during a person’s lifetime, but particularly when illness strikes.

Survivor An individual is considered a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis, through the balance of his or her life. Family members, friends, and caregivers are also impacted by the survivorship experience and are therefore included in this definition.

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T U V W X Y Z

TNM (Tumor Node Metastasis) classification System to evaluate cancer based on the T - extent of tumor invasion, N - lymph node involvement, and M - metastasis observed (other than regional lymph nodes); the number following each letter represents the extent to which each area is involved.

Total parenteral Nutrition for the body that is put directly into the veins, bypassing the digestive system.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) Used for patients who cannot or should not get their nutrition through eating. TPN may include a combination of sugar and carbohydrates (for energy), proteins (for muscle strength), lipids (fat), electrolytes, and trace elements. An individual's solution may contain all or some of these substances, depending on your condition.

Urologist A physician who specializes in urinary or urogenital tract diseases and disorders.

Vacuum constriction device A device placed over the penis that, when pumped, creates a vacuum around the penis and causes it to become engorged with blood (become erect).

Venous access device Semi-permanent device that allows direct access to a vein without having to place a needle in the vein each time an infusion is given.

Virtual Colonoscopy Virtual Colonoscopy is a recently developed technique that uses a CT scanner and computer virtual reality software to look inside the body without having to insert a long tube (Conventional Colonoscopy) into the colon or without having to fill the colon with liquid barium (Barium Enema)..

Wide surgical resection Surgical procedure used to treat colorectal cancer in which the cancerous colon and an area of normal colon and lymph nodes are removed in an attempt to cure the patient of his or her cancer.

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