Glossary: Preventing And Treating Colorectal Cancer

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Glossary

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.

Last updated:	April 09, 2009