Glossary

This glossary aims to provide clear and concise definitions to help patients and caregivers understand
medical terms related to colorectal cancer screening, treatment, surgery, radiation, and survivorship care.

Glossary

This glossary aims to provide clear and concise definitions to help patients and caregivers understand
medical terms related to colorectal cancer screening, treatment, surgery, radiation, and survivorship care.

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | L | M | N | O | P | S | T | W |

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | L | M | N | O | P | S | T | W |

A

Abdominoperineal Resection: The surgical removal of the anus, rectum, and sigmoid colon, resulting in the need for a permanent colostomy.

Acupuncture: A Traditional Chinese Medicine technique involving the insertion of small needles into specific points on the skin to alleviate pain and treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions.

Acute: Abrupt onset that is usually severe and short-term, contrasting with “chronic.”

Adenoma: A non-cancerous polyp considered the first step toward colon and rectal cancer.

Adjuvant Therapy: Treatment used after primary treatment (like surgery or radiation) to reduce the risk of cancer returning.

Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA): People between the ages of 15 and 39 diagnosed with cancer.

Advance Directive: A legal document stating the treatment or care a person wishes to receive or not receive if they become unable to make medical decisions.

Adverse Effect: A negative or harmful effect.

Antigens: Substances that provoke an immune response in the body, leading to the production of antibodies to fight them.

Anus: The opening of the rectum located between the buttocks where waste is expelled.

Asymptomatic: Having no symptoms or clear evidence that disease is present.

B

Benign Tumor: A noncancerous tumor that does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body like cancer can.

Biological Therapy: A treatment made of substances from living organisms to treat disease. It includes immunotherapy, gene therapy, and some targeted therapies.

Biomarkers: Biological molecules found in blood, body fluids, or tissues that can indicate normal or abnormal processes in the body. Testing for biomarkers helps understand specific cancer types.

Biomarker Testing: The process of examining biological molecules, such as genes, proteins, and other substances, to provide information about a person’s cancer and help guide treatment decisions.

Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist to determine if cancer is present.

Biosimilar: A biologic medical product highly similar to an already approved biological medicine, with no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety and effectiveness.

C

Cancer: A term for diseases where abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and can invade nearby tissues.

Cancer Survivor: Anyone diagnosed with cancer, from the time of diagnosis and throughout their life.

Carcinoma In Situ: A group of abnormal cells that remain in the place where they first formed, also called stage 0 disease.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA): A substance in the blood that may indicate colon cancer or other conditions, used to monitor treatment effectiveness or cancer recurrence.

Chemoradiation: Treatment combining chemotherapy with radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy: Treatment using drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells by killing them or stopping them from dividing.

Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC): Cancer cells that have shed into the bloodstream from a primary tumor and circulate through the body.

Clinical Trial: A research study testing the safety and effectiveness of new medical approaches and treatments.

Colectomy: Surgical removal of all or part of the colon.

Colonoscopy: Examination of the inside of the colon using a colonoscope inserted into the rectum.

Colorectal Cancer (CRC): Cancer located in the colon or rectum.

Colostomy: A surgical operation diverting a piece of the colon to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): Treatments used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments.

CT Scan (Computed Tomography Scan): A medical imaging procedure that uses computer-processed combinations of X-ray measurements taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional images of specific areas of the body.

D

Dermatologist: A doctor who specializes in the treatment of skin conditions and diseases.

Distress Screening: A tool to identify stressors to be addressed throughout treatment, including psychosocial and emotional challenges.

DPD Deficiency: A metabolic disorder with low levels of the enzyme DPD, which is needed to break down certain chemotherapy drugs.

E

Early-Age Onset CRC: Colon and rectal cancers diagnosed in individuals under 50, often at a later stage.

Endoscopy: Examination using a lighted, flexible instrument to see inside the digestive tract.

Explanation of Benefits (EOB): A summary of medical treatment costs sent by an insurance company to a patient.

F

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP): A syndrome with a gene mutation leading to numerous pre-cancerous polyps in the colon at a young age.

Family History: A record of a person’s relatives’ medical history, showing patterns of certain diseases.

Fecal Diversion: A surgical opening of part of the colon or small intestine to the skin, providing a passageway for stool to exit the body.

Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT): A test checking for hidden blood in the stool.

First-Line Therapy: The initial and preferred treatment for a condition.

FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test): A screening test for colorectal cancer that checks for blood in the stool from the lower intestines.

Follow-Up: Regular medical checkups after initial treatment to monitor health.

G

Genetic Testing: A laboratory method that looks for changes in genes, gene expression, or chromosomes to diagnose diseases or assess risk.

Genomic Testing: A comprehensive analysis of the genome to identify genetic mutations, gene expressions, and other alterations in DNA that may contribute to the development of cancer or other diseases.

H

Hospice Care: A program providing special care to people nearing the end of life who have stopped treatment to cure or control their disease, focusing on comfort and quality of life.

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC): A treatment using a heated solution with anticancer drugs infused directly into the abdominal cavity during surgery.

I

Ileostomy: An opening into the ileum (part of the small intestine) from the outside of the body, providing a new path for waste material after part of the intestine is removed.

Immunotherapy: A treatment using certain parts of a person’s immune system to fight diseases like cancer.

Integrative Medicine: An approach combining standard treatment with complementary therapies like massage and acupuncture.

Interdisciplinary Team: A group of healthcare professionals from diverse fields working together toward a common goal for the patient.

Interventional Radiology: A medical specialty performing minimally invasive treatments using imaging guidance.

L

Laparoscopy: A procedure that uses a laparoscope, inserted through the abdominal wall, to examine the inside of the abdomen.

Late Effects: Health problems occurring months or years after a disease is diagnosed or treatment ends.

Localized: Cancer found only in the tissue or organ where it began, not spread to other parts of the body.

Low Anterior Resection Surgery: A procedure to remove the rectum’s cancerous part while preserving the anus.

Low Residue Diet: A low-fiber diet with restrictions on foods increasing bowel activity, reducing fruit and vegetable intake, and excluding legumes, seeds, and nuts.

Lynch Syndrome: An inherited disorder increasing the risk of colorectal and other cancers, often before age 50.

Lymph Nodes: Small glands filtering lymph, part of the immune system, that can be sites for cancer spread.

M

Malignant: Describes cancer cells growing uncontrollably, invading nearby tissues, and spreading to other body parts.

Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to other body parts, forming new tumors.

Microbiome: The collection of all the microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes, living in a particular environment, like the human gut, which can impact health and disease.

Mortality: The number of deaths in a given period in a specified population.

Mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency: Describes cells that have mutations (changes) in certain genes that are involved in correcting mistakes made when DNA is copied in a cell.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A medical imaging technique using magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues inside the body.

MSI (Microsatellite instability): A change that occurs in certain cells (such as cancer cells) in which the number of repeated DNA bases in a microsatellite (a short, repeated sequence of DNA) is different from what it was when the microsatellite was inherited.

Multidisciplinary Team: A group of healthcare professionals from different disciplines working together with specialized skills and expertise.

Mutations: Changes in the DNA sequence of a cell, which can be harmful, beneficial, or neutral.

N

Nasogastric (NG) Tube: A tube inserted through the nose into the stomach for administering drugs, liquids, or liquid food.

Neuropathy: A nerve problem causing pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, or muscle weakness, often in the hands or feet.

Nutritionist: A health professional who specializes in the study of nutrition and advises patients on diet and healthy eating practices.

NCI-Designated Cancer Center: US cancer research institutions supported by the National Cancer Institute.

Neoadjuvant Therapy: Treatment given to shrink a tumor before the main treatment, usually surgery.

O

Oncologist: A doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating cancer.

Oncology: The branch of medicine focusing on cancer diagnosis and treatment, including medical, radiation, and surgical oncology.

Orogastric (OG) Tube: A tube inserted through the mouth into the stomach for administering drugs, liquids, or liquid food.

Ostomy: An operation creating an opening (stoma) from an area inside the body to the outside.

Overall Survival Rate: The percentage of people who are still alive for a certain period after being diagnosed with or starting treatment for a disease, such as cancer.

P

Palliative Care: Care aimed at improving quality of life and reducing pain for people with serious or life-threatening diseases like cancer. It includes managing symptoms and providing psychological, social, and spiritual support.

Patient Navigator: A person helping guide patients through the healthcare system, from screening to treatment and follow-up.

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography): A procedure using a small amount of radioactive glucose to create detailed images of areas inside the body where glucose is taken up, helping to find cancer cells.

Polyp: A growth on the inner surface of the colon, some of which can progress into cancer.

Polypectomy: Surgery to remove a polyp.

Port: A small medical appliance installed beneath the skin to administer medications or withdraw blood samples.

Preauthorization for Insurance: Approval from a health insurance company before receiving certain medical services or treatments to ensure they will be covered.

Primary Care: Basic health services including physical exams, treatment of common conditions, and preventive care.

Prognosis: The likely outcome or course of a disease and the chance of recovery or recurrence.

Psychosocial: The psychological, emotional, and social aspects of a disease and its treatment.

S

Screening: Tests and exams used to find a disease, such as cancer, in people who do not have symptoms.

Second-Line Therapy: The next treatment given when initial treatment doesn’t work or stops working.

Side Effects: Unintended effects of a drug or treatment.

Sigmoidoscopy: Examination of the lower colon using a sigmoidoscope, inserted into the rectum.

Small Intestine: The portion of the digestive tract that first gets food from the stomach. It’s divided into the duodenum, jejunum, and the ileum.

Standard of Care: The best-known treatment based on current evidence for a particular condition.

Stage: A classification of cancer based on the size and extent of the tumor and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

Stoma: A surgically-created opening from an area inside the body to the outside.

Surgical Resection: Surgery to remove part or all of a tumor or organ.

Surveillance: In medicine, closely watching a patient’s condition but not treating it unless there are changes in test results. Surveillance is also used to find early signs that a disease has come back.

Survivor: Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Survivorship: The phase of a cancer patient’s journey after treatment, focusing on health and life after cancer.

T

Targeted Therapy: Treatment that uses drugs to target specific genes, proteins, or other molecules involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells.

Treatment Adherence: Following treatment regimens as prescribed, including taking medications and attending appointments.

Tumor: A mass of tissue that forms when cells divide uncontrollably. Tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Tumor Markers: A substance found in tissue, blood, bone marrow, or other body fluids that may be a sign of cancer or certain benign (noncancer) conditions.

W

Watch and Wait: A strategy of monitoring a patient’s condition without providing any treatment until symptoms appear or change.

White Blood Cell Count: A test that measures the number of white blood cells in the blood, important for diagnosing and monitoring infections and other conditions.