| Abdomen |
The portion of the body between
the diaphragm
and the pelvis. |
| Abscess |
A pus-filled cavity. |
|
Adenocarcinoma
View
image
|
The form of cancer that most
people are talking about when they refer to "cancer of the pancreas."
These tumors account for 75% of all pancreas cancers.
Microscopically, adenocarcinomas form glands. These tumors can grow large
enough to invade nerves which can cause back pain. They also frequently
spread (metastasize) to the liver or lymph nodes. If this happens the tumor
may be considered unresectable. |
| Adenoma |
A benign (non-cancerous) tumor
made up of cells that form glands (collections of cells surrounding an
empty space). |
| Adjuvant
chemotherapy |
Chemotherapy given to patients
after their cancers have been surgically removed. It is a secondary treatment
given to supplement surgical treatment.
(see Neoadjuvant chemotherapy) |
| Ampulla
of Vater |
This widening of the pancreatic
duct is an landmark for physicians. It is where the bile duct and pancreatic
duct join before draining into the duodenum (small intestine). Tumors in
the head of the pancreas may squeeze this duct partially or completely
closed. This can lead to problems with digestion and
jaundice. |
| Anastamosis |
A surgical joining of two hollow
structures. It is similar to attaching two ends of a garden hose. For example,
a gastrojejunostomy is a surgical procedure that connects the stomach and
the jejunum (small intestine.) |
| Anemia |
A condition characterized by
a deficiency in red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue among other symptoms. |
| Anorexia |
A condition marked by a diminished
apetite and aversion to food. Often results in physical signs of wasting.
|
| Angiography |
A radiographic
technique used to visualize blood vessels. A
contrast medium (a dye)
is usually injected into the vessels to make them appear white on the x-rays. |
| Aorta |
The large artery
that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart. It descends into the abdomen
where it gives off many branches to supply the organs. The superior mesenteric
artery is a major branch of the aorta that is a common site of pancreatic
cancer metastases. |
| Ascites |
The collection
of excess amounts of fluid in the abdominal cavity (belly). It often is
a sign that the cancer has spread to either the liver or the portal vein
that goes to the liver. If normal liver function is affected, a complex
set of biochemical checks and balances is disrupted and abnormal amounts
of fluid are retained. |
| Benign
tumors |
Tumors which
are non-cancerous. These generally grow slowly and do not invade adjacent
organs or spread (metastasize) beyond the pancreas. |
| Bile |
A green fluid
produced by the liver that helps digest fats. It is transported from the
liver
to the duodenum
by the bile duct. When the flow of bile is blocked,
patients may become jaundiced (yellow skinned). |
| Bile
duct |
A duct that carries bile from
the liver to the intestine. This term may refer to the hepatic, cystic
or common bile duct. |
| Biopsy |
The removal and microscopic
examination of a tissue sample. |
| Blastoma |
A primitive
tumor that develops in
childhood. (pancreatoblastoma)
|
| Body
of the pancreas |
The middle part of gland between
the neck and the tail. The superior mesenteric blood vessels run behind
this part of the gland. |
| CA19-9 |
A blood marker for pancreas
cancer. It is not a good screening test for diagnosing possible pancreas
cancers. However, it can be useful in following the progress of patients
known to have a cancer by measuring how their cancer is responding to treatment. |
| Cachexia |
A dramatic
weight loss and general wasting that occurs during chronic disease. |
| Cancer |
A malignant
tumor. It has the potential of invading into
the adjacent tissues, spreading to other organs and may eventually lead
to the patient's death. |
| Carcinogen |
A cancer-causing agent. |
| Carcinoma |
A malignant (cancerous) new
growth. These tumors infiltrate into surrounding tissues and, if untreated,
will spread to other organs, and may eventually lead to the patient's death.
|
| Catheter |
A small, flexible tube inserted
into the body to inject or suck out fluids. |
| Chemotherapy |
The treatment of a cancer
by chemicals. For pancreatic cancer these include: Gemzar (Gemcitabine),
5-flurouracil, leukovorin, mitomicin C, and others. |
| Computed Tomography (CT) Scan |
A series of x-ray pictures taken
by a machine that encircles the body like a giant tube. Computers are then
used to generate cross-sectional images of the inside of the body. |
| Contrast
agent (or medium) |
A dye, taken by mouth or injected,
that is sometimes used during x-ray examinations to highlight areas that
otherwise might not be seen. |
| Cyst |
A fluid filled sac. Some tumors
of the pancreas, including the serous cystadenoma and mucinous cystadenocarcinomas
are cystic. These have a distinct appearance in CT scans. They are important
to recognize because the treatment of cystic tumors can differ from that
for solid tumors. |
Reference: The Johns Hopkins Family Health
Book; Michael J. Klag Editor, Harper Collins Pub., 1999.
|
|
A-C| D-E| F-H|
I-L| M-O| P-S|
T-Z
|
This site is supported by generous educational grants from
the Vesalius Trust
