Colorectal Cancer Terms

Adenocarcinoma — a cancerous cell that begins in the glands and may spread to other areas of the body.

Colectomy — surgical removal of a portion or all of the colon.

Colostomy — surgical procedure in which an opening (called a stoma) is formed by drawing the healthy end of the colon (large intestine) through an incision in the anterior abdominal wall and suturing it into place. Intestinal waste passes out of the colostomy and is collected in an artificial external pouching system, which is adhered to the skin.

Colonoscopy — a test that allows your doctor to look at the inner lining of your colon and rectum using a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope. A colonoscopy helps find ulcers, colon polyps, tumors, and areas of inflammation or bleeding.

Colorectal Cancer — cancers of the colon and rectum.

Crohn’s Disease — a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that may affect any part of the
gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus. Signs and symptoms often include abdominal pain, fever, weight loss and diarrhea — which may be bloody if inflammation is severe. There is an increased risk of cancer in the affected bowel.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (F.A.P.) — a rare hereditary condition in which numerous
adenomatous polyps develop in the lining of the colon, resulting in a near 100% risk of developing cancer unless the entire colon is removed during adolescence. F.A.P. increases the risk for cancers of the small intestine, stomach, brain, pancreas, and the occurrence of desmoid tumors.

Gastroenterologist (commonly called GI) — a doctor with extensive training in the diagnosis
and treatment of conditions that affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and biliary system (e.g., liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts).

HAI (Hepatic Arterial Infusion) Pump — chemotherapy is dispensed from a specialized infusion system in which a catheter is placed into the hepatic artery to directly deliver the chemotherapy to the liver. A fully implanted system is used so that the pump that connects to the catheter in the hepatic artery is implanted under the skin.

HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) — a highly concentrated, heated chemotherapy treatment that is delivered directly to the abdomen during surgery.

Ileostomy — surgical procedure in which an opening (called a stoma) is formed by drawing the healthy end of small intestine (the ileum) through an incision in the anterior abdominal wall and suturing it into place. Intestinal waste passes out of the ileostomy and is collected in an artificial external pouching system, which is adhered to the skin. It may be reversible or irreversible depending on the circumstances.

Lynch Syndrome — often called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is an inherited disorder that increases the risk of many types of cancer, particularly cancers of the colon and rectum (colorectal cancer). People with Lynch syndrome also have an increased risk of cancers of the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder ducts, upper urinary tract, brain, and
skin. Additionally, women with this disorder have a higher risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers.

NED (No Evidence of Disease) — another term for remission.

Ostomy/Stoma Reversal — surgery to reverse a temporary colostomy or ileostomy (reconnection of the bowel).

Polyp — abnormal growth of tissue that can be found in any organ that has blood vessels. They are most often found in the colon, nose, or uterus. Most polyps are noncancerous (benign). However, because polyps are due to abnormal cell growth, they can eventually become cancerous (malignant).