Colon Cancer Special Report
Colon Cancer Glossary
Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Colon Cancer Colon Cancer Glossary
Johns Hopkins Colon Cancer Glossary
abdominoperineal resection
Surgery that involves cutting through the abdomen and the perineum.adenoma
See adenomatous polyp.adenocarcinoma
Cancer in the cells that line the inside layer of the wall of the colon and rectum.adenomatous polyp
Also called adenoma. A growth (polyp), usually benign, that protrudes from the mucous membranes, and may become cancerous over time.anastomosis
Surgical connection or reconnection between two separated parts of the body..anemia
Having less than the normal number of red blood cells, which lowers the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and can be a sign of blood loss.anus
The opening at the end of the digestive tract through which feces are expelled. A set of sphincter muscles allows the anus to remain closed and to open for a bowel movement.APC I 1307K
An inherited gene mutation (found with noteworthy frequency in descendants of Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe but can occur in other individuals) that increases the risk of colorectal cancer.ascending colon
That portion of colon on the right side of the body that ascends from the small intestine.barium enema, double-contrast barium enema
An enema with a white, chalky solution that contains barium, given to outline the intestines on a series of x-rays and reveal abnormalities.biopsy
Removal of a tissue sample to examine for diagnosis.bowel
Another term for the lower intestinal tract, the large intestine, or the colorectum, These terms are often used interchangeably brachytherapy
A radiation treatment that implants or beams radiation directly into or near a tumor.
carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
A blood chemical that is measured after treatments as a marker for cancer cells.CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan or CT scan
A computerized imaging method that takes multiple cross-section x-ray images of soft tissues.cecum
A pouch about 2–3 inches long between the small intestine and the large intestine. The furthest point of a colonoscopy examination.chemoembolization
Administration of chemotherapy mixed with material to slow blood flow through the liver and allow the drugs to remain longer in the tumor.colectomy
Surgery to remove part or all of the colon.colitis
Inflammation of the colon colon
A term for the large intestine, lower intestinal tract, colorectum, or bowel. These terms are often used interchangeably.colonic stent
An expandable tube that is placed in the colon with an endoscope to open up a compressed or blocked bowel.colonoscopy
Internal examination of the entire colon with an endoscope that is passed up through the rectum.colorectum
A term for the large intestine, lower intestinal tract, bowel, or colon. These terms are often used interchangeably.colostomy
A procedure in which an opening (stoma) is made surgically through the abdomen to allow waste to pass out of the body and into a bag.complementary medicine
Treatments such as herbs or acupuncture that are not accepted as conventional medical practices but that may help with diseases when used along with Western medicine.Crohn’s disease
A chronic inflammation of the bowel that may increase the risk of developing colon cancer.descending colon
That portion of the colon that descends down the left side, ending in the rectum.DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid, the biochemical polymer that encodes genetic information inside a cell. Some new tests can identify DNA from cancerous cells.DNA fecal test
A new test that can pinpoint DNA from colon cancer cells in a person’s feces.dysplasia
A term that refers to cells that are no longer normal but are not yet cancerous.
endorectal ultrasound
An imaging technique that uses sound waves to visualize and to pinpoint rectal tumors.endoscope
General term for a tube that is inserted into openings in the body to allow an internal examination without performing surgery.enterostomal therapist
A health care professional, often a nurse, trained to help people with colostomies.familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
A rare hereditary disease that causes massive overgrowth of color polyps and leads to colon cancer in all who inherit the dominant genes. About 1% of all colorectal cancers are due to FAP.fecal immunochemical testing (FIT)
A take-home test for hidden intestinal bleeding that is specific for human hemoglobin and does not require diet changes before and during the test.Posted in Colon Cancer on October 14, 2007
