| edema:
(uh-deem-uh):
build-up of fluid in the tissues, causing swelling. Edema of the arm or leg can develop after surgery or radiation. Arm edema can also develop after radical mastectomy or axillary dissection of lymph nodes. Leg edema can develop if lymph nodes in the groin are removed. See also lymphedema. |
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| efficacy:
(ef-i-kuh-see):
effectiveness. The ability of a treatment to produce the desired result. |
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| electrofulguration:
(e-lek-tro-ful-ger-A-shun):
a type of treatment that destroys cancer cells by burning with an electrical current. Also known as electrocautery. |
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| embolization:
(em-bo-li-ZAY-shun):
a type of treatment that reduces the blood supply to the cancer by the injection of materials to plug up the artery that supplies blood to the tumor. |
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| emesis:
(em-eh-sis ):
vomiting |
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| endocrine glands:
(en-duh-krin):
glands that release hormones into the bloodstream. The ovaries are one type of endocrine gland. |
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| endocrine therapy: manipulation of hormones in order to treat a disease or condition. See also hormone therapy. |
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| endocrinologist:
(en-duh-kruh-NAHL-uh-jist):
a doctor who specializes in diseases related to the glands of the endocrine system, such as the thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands. |
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| endometrium:
(en-do-mee-tree-um):
the lining of the womb (uterus). |
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| endoscopy:
(en-dahs-kuh-pee):
inspection of body organs or cavities using a flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope. |
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| enterostomal therapist:
(en-ter-es-STO-mal ther-uh-pist):
a health professional, often a nurse, who teaches people how to care for ostomies (surgically created openings such as a colostomy) and other wounds. |
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| enucleation:
(ee-noo-klee-AY-shun):
surgical removal of something without cutting into it. Sometimes used to describe removal of a whole tumor; also may describe removing the whole eyeball while leaving eye muscles and other contents of the eye socket. |
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| enzyme:
(en-zime ):
proteins that increase the rate of chemical reactions in living cells. |
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| epidemiology:
(ep-ih-deem-ee-AHL-uh-jee):
the study of diseases in populations by collecting and analyzing statistical data. In the field of cancer, epidemiologists look at how many people have cancer; who gets specific types of cancer; and what factors (such as environment, job hazards, family patterns, and personal habits, such as smoking and diet) play a part in the development of cancer. |
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| esophageal speech:
(eh-sof-uh-JEE-uhl):
a special type of speech used by some people after surgery for cancer of the voice box (larynx). Air is swallowed and a "belching" type of speech can be produced. New devices, improved surgery, and the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy instead of surgery, have reduced the need for learning esophageal speech. |
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| estrogen: a female sex hormone produced mostly by the ovaries, and in smaller amounts by the adrenal cortex. In women, levels of estrogen fluctuate on nature's carefully designed schedule, regulating the development of secondary sex characteristics, including breasts; regulating the monthly cycle of menstruation; and preparing the body for fertilization and reproduction. In breast cancer, estrogen may promote the growth of cancer cells. See estrogen receptor assay, estrogen replacement therapy, and hormone therapy. |
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| estrogen receptor assay: the estrogen receptor assay is a laboratory test done on a sample of the cancer in order to see whether estrogen receptors are present. The growth of normal breast cells and some breast cancers is stimulated by estrogen. Estrogen receptors are molecules that function as cells? "welcome mat" for estrogen circulating in the blood. Breast cancer cells without these receptors (called estrogen-receptor negative or ER negative) are unlikely to respond to hormonal therapy. Estrogen-receptor positive cancers are more likely to respond to hormonal therapy. |
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| estrogen replacement therapy: the use of estrogen from other sources after a woman's body no longer makes its own supply. This type of hormone therapy is used to relieve symptoms of menopause. It can provide protective effects against bone thinning (osteoporosis) after menopause. Since estrogen nourishes some types of breast cancer, scientists question whether estrogen replacement therapy increases breast cancer risk. Some new drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are being studied. They seem to have many of the helpful effects of estrogen replacement without increasing breast cancer risk; in fact, recent studies suggest that some SERMs may actually reduce breast cancer risk. See estrogen, menopause, and osteoporosis. |
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| etiology:
(ee-tee-ahl-uh-jee):
the cause of a disease. In cancer, there are probably many causes. Research is showing that both genetics and lifestyle are major factors in many cancers. |
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| excision:
(ex-sih-zhun):
removal by surgery. This can include a tumor or a body part. |
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| external beam radiation therapy (EBRT): radiation that is focused from a source outside the body on the area affected by the cancer. It is much like getting a diagnostic x-ray, but for a longer time. Compare to brachytherapy. |
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