Glossary

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | N | M | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Ablation – A technique used to treat pre-cancerous tissue found in the esophagus by burning the cells. Different techniques including photodynamic therapy, thermal ablation and radiofrequency ablation have all been used.

B

Benign – not cancerous; used in reference to a harmless growth.

Biopsy – the collection of a sample of tissue from a patient to test whether it is cancerous. Doctors must cut this sample out from patients.

C

Cancer – Disease characterized by abnormal growth and multiplication of cells in an uncontrolled fashion. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

Cellvizio® – the real-time in vivo cellular imaging platform. This technology enables physicians to accelerate diagnosis, better inform treatment and improve therapy delivery. Used globally across a wide range of medical specialties, Cellvizio is revolutionizing the way physicians diagnose and treat patients.

Chemotherapy – Treatment with anticancer drugs.

CT scan – Spraying a super-cooled liquid or gas onto the diseased lining of the esophagus.

D

Diagnosis – A process of identifying a disease by the signs and symptoms.

E

Endomicroscopy – A technique of looking at internal tissue at the cellular level that may aid doctors to more accurately diagnose or rule out cancer or disease. (See also pCLE)

Endoscopic Ultrasoundc (EUS) – A procedure that combines endoscopy and ultrasound to obtain images and information about the digestive tract and the surrounding tissue and organs. In EUS a small ultrasound transducer is installed on the tip of the endoscope allowing the transducer to get close to the organs inside the body so the resultant ultrasound images are often more accurate and detailed than ones obtained by traditional ultrasound.

Endoscopic procedure with fine needle aspiration (EUSFNA) – The use of a thin needle to withdraw material from the body. For example, this method is commonly used to determine whether a nodule in the thyroid gland is benign or malignant. A fine gauge needle is placed into the nodule and a drop of blood is withdrawn. The cells are studied under the microscope by an pathologist.

Endoscopy – The practice of using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a small camera on it, to look inside the body. Different endoscopes are used to look at different parts of the body.

Enzyme – A chemical that causes a reaction in other substances, in this case as a part of the digestive process.

F

G

Gastroenterologist – Physician who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and biliary system.

H

I

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) – Tumors (neoplasms) that grow within the pancreatic ducts.

J

K

L

M

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – Painless method for taking pictures of internal organs. A tube-like machine with a powerful magnet generates images of the inside of the body.

Malignancy- – Cancerous cells that have the ability to spread, invade, and destroy tissue. These cells spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant – Cancerous.

Mucinous cystadenoma – The most frequent cystic tumors of the pancreas and comprise approximately 50% of all cystic tumors. While these tumors are usually benign, the majority if left untreated will probably evolve to a malignant tumor.

Malignancy- – Cancerous cells that have the ability to spread, invade, and destroy tissue. These cells spread to other parts of the body.

N

nCLE – Needle-Based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy – a category of medical imaging technology used to view tissue inside the body at the cellular level that may aid doctors to more accurately diagnose or rule out cancer or disease.

Neoplasms – Tumor; new, abnormal growth of tissue.

O

P

Pancreas – A glandular organ located in the abdomen. It makes pancreatic juices, which contain enzymes that aid in digestion. It produces several hormones, including insulin. It is divided into three regions; the head, the body, and the tailThe pancreas is surrounded by the stomach, intestines, and other organs.

Pancreatectomy – Surgical removal of the pancreas.

Pancreatitis – Inflammation of the pancreas.

Pancreatic cysts – Collections (pools) of fluid that can form within the head, body, and tail of the pancreas.

pCLE – Probe-Based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy – a category of medical imaging technology used to view tissue inside the body at the cellular level that may aid doctors to more accurately diagnose or rule out cancer or disease.

Pseudocyst – collection of fluid around the pancreas.

Puncture – Piercing or penetrating with a pointed object or instrument; a wound so made.

Q

R

S

Serous cystadenoma (or microcystic adenoma) – The second most common cystic tumor of the pancreas. These tumors have a honeycombed appearance on pathology that appearance is also characteristically seen on the CT scan.

Surveillance endoscopy – When a patient undergoes an upper endoscopy procedure on a regular basis. The frequency of the endoscopy is determined by the physician

T

Thermal Ablation – A procedure using heat to remove tissue or a part of the body, or destroy its function.

U

V

W

X

Y

Z