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Glossary
Adenocarcinoma- Cancer that begins in cells that line certain internal organs and that have glandular (secretory) properties. Ampulla of Vater- The location where the pancreatic and bile ducts empty into the small intestine. Bilirubin- A component of bile that is formed when broken down. An excess of it in the skin will cause jaundice. Biopsy- A test where a tissue sample is viewed under a microscope to see if it is benign or malignant. This test is the only definitive way to diagnose cancer. Chemotherapy- Generally used to minimize symptoms of advanced cancer, chemotherapy involves the administering of drugs into the bloodstream to slow the spread of cancer as the drugs destroy certain, rapid-growing cells. There are many different drugs for use in chemotherapy, so the exact effects are dependent on the administered drug. Common Bile Duct- The pancreas' connection to the duodenum. Computed Tomography (CT) Scan- An imaging technique similar to an MRI. Diabetes- A disease caused when the body in not able to produce enough insulin or use it properly, resulting in an inability to properly control the bloodsugar level. Duodenum- The beginning of the small intestine where bile from the common bile duct is emptied. Endocrine Hormone- A hormone such as insulin designed to regulate one's metabolism. Endoscope- A long flexible tube used for procedures such as the endoscopic ultrasound. Exocrine Enzyme- Enzymes made to break down food during digestion. Farnesyl Transferase- An enzyme which many pancreatic cells need in order to survive. Hereditary Pancreatitis- Recurring inflammation of the pancreas. Insulin- A hormone that regulates bloodsugar levels. Intraoperative Electron Beam Radiation- Radiation therapy with highly energized electrons to minimize damage to other organs in the body. Jaundice- A condition where excess bilirubin builds up in the skin, causing it to turn yellow. Laproscope- A small, lighted instrument capable of displaying real-life images to a surgeon through a TV monitor. Locally Advanced- The second stage of cancer- the cancer has spread to nearby tissues and can no longer be removed. Metabolism- The total of all chemical changes that take place in a cell or an organism. These changes produce energy and basic materials needed for important life processes. Metastasis- The spread of cancer through the body. Metastatic- The third stage of cancer- The cancer has spread distantly throughout the body and is growing on multiple organs. It cannot be removed and will most likely be treated with chemotherapy to alleviate symptoms. Magnetic Resonace Imaging (MRI)- A procedure where a magnetic field and radio waves are used to form a detailed image for a doctor to study. Pancreatectomy- The removal of the pancreas. Depending on the procedure being done and the exact location of the cancer, all or part of the pancreas, as well as surrounding organs, may be removed. Pancreaticoduodenectomy- See Whipple Procedure Resectable- The first stage of cancer- the entire tumor can be removed. Stent- A plastic tube used to open bile ducts. Sonogram- A picture produced by ultrasound. Tumor- A mass of unneeded cells which have unexpectedly grown. They can be benign or malignant. Ulcers- Sores in the lining of the stomach or small intestine. Ultrasound- A procedure where sound waves are bounced off tissues to form a picture (sonogram). Whipple Procedure- Currently the most common form of treatment for pancreatic cancer- it involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, with the possible removal of other surrounding organs, as well. Also know as the pancreaticoduodenectomy.
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