Colorectal
Cancer Prevention — Colon Cancer Treatment
Medical Dictionary
As the third most common form of cancer in men and women, prospects
look good for colon cancer treatment and prevention. This medical dictionary
features terms used in the report, Preventing and Treating Colorectal Cancer,
and includes details on colon cancer, treatment, the signs and symptoms, its
various stages, and its risks.
adenocarcinoma: Cancerous tumor
that grows in the epithelial cells lining the
inner surface of an organ, particularly the colon
or rectum.
adenoma: Benign tumor arising
in the epithelial cells lining the inner surface
of an organ. Most commonly found in the colon.
adjuvant therapies: Treatments — such
as chemotherapy or radiation — used in
addition to surgery to cure, reduce, control,
or palliate cancer.
benign: Not cancerous.
biopsy: The removal of a sample
of tissue or cells from the body for microscopic
examination to determine whether cancer is present.
chemoprevention: Using drugs
or chemicals to prevent cancer.
chemotherapy: Treatment of
cancer with drugs that destroy cancer cells.
colon: The large intestine,
a muscular tube 5–6 feet long that compacts
and moves solid waste.
colonoscopy: A method of viewing
the entire colon by way of a long, flexible probe
with a tiny scope at the end. Used to look for
polyps as well as to remove them.
colostomy: Surgery that routes
the colon to an opening in the abdomen for elimination
of stool.
computed tomography (CT) scan: An
imaging procedure in which a computer combines
a series of x-rays to produce extremely detailed,
cross-sectional views of the body and brain.
double-contrast barium enema: A
screening test for colorectal cancer that involves
taking x-rays of the colon to detect polyps,
cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or other
intestinal problems.
endoscope: A thin, flexible
tube with a camera at its tip that is inserted
into the body in order to examine some internal
portion of the body.
fecal occult blood test (FOBT): A
colorectal cancer screening test, performed at
home over a period of three days, that looks
for blood in the stool.
genetic: Referring to genes
or inherited characteristics.
hyperplastic polyp: A polyp
that contains an excess number of normal-looking
cells. This is the most common type of polyp
found in the colon and rectum.
in situ: Latin for “in
place.”
lymph nodes: Small, bean-shaped
organs, linked by lymphatic vessels. As part
of the immune system, they filter out germs and
foreign matter. Also called lymph glands.
malignant: Cancerous.
metastasis: The spread of cancer
cells from the primary site to another part of
the body.
muscularis: The muscular lining
of the colon or rectum.
polyps: Small, mushroom-shaped
growths on the lining of the colon.
radiation therapy: The use
of very high doses of x-rays to treat or control
disease.
rectum: The last 12 centimeters
of the colon, through which waste is eliminated
from the body.
sigmoid colon: The section
of the colon leading to the rectum that makes
an S-shaped curve.
sigmoidoscopy: A screening
test for colorectal cancer that enables a doctor
to view the lower third of the colon.
tumor: An abnormal growth of
cells. It can be benign or malignant.
ultrasound: A painless, noninvasive
imaging method that uses high-frequency sound
waves to locate and measure solid tumors.
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