A

Angiogram
A type of diagnostic imaging that uses X-rays enhanced with a radiographic contrast medium.

Antidiarrheal agents
Over-the-counter medicines that work to control the symptoms of diarrhea.

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B

Benign tumor
A noncancerous cancer tumor.

Bronchodilator
An agent that causes an increase in the opening of the airway passages in the respiratory system.

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C

Chemoembolization
Injection of a chemotherapeutic drug into a blood vessel, along with an agent that causes the vessel to close, ensuring that the chemotherapeutic agent remains concentrated in organ supplied by the vessel.

Chemotherapy
The use of chemical agents (drugs) in the treatment or control of a disease, usually cancer.

Chromogranin A (CgA) test
Serum chromogranin A (CgA) is a blood test used to confirm the presence of a carcinoid tumor.

Chronic
Persisting over a long period of time.

Computed tomography (CT) scan
A scan that shows a thin cross-sectional slice through the body, achieved by taking a series of low-dose X-rays.

Cyanosis
A bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin due to a deficiency in blood oxygen levels.

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D

Diuretics
Agents that help the body get rid of excess fluid.

Dopamine agonist
A drug that works on dopamine receptors to inhibit release of growth hormone (GH) from a tumor.

Dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing.

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E

Edema
An abnormal or accumulation of fluid in connective tissues or body cavities.

Electrolytes
Substances such as sodium or potassium that can conduct electricity and are necessary for certain parts of the body, such as the heart, to function normally.

Embolization
A procedure in which a blood vessel is intentionally blocked, either by injecting small pellets, or by injecting a substance that will cause a blood clot to be formed.

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F

Flushing
A redness caused by vasodilation that commonly occurs on the face, trunk, or legs of people with carcinoid syndrome.

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G

Glucose
A sugar found in many foods and in normal blood; the main source of energy for most living organisms.

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H

5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindole Acetic acid)
A by-product of a substance normally secreted in the body, but produced in excess when a patient has carcinoid tumors; useful in the diagnosis of carcinoid tumors.

5-HT (5-hydroxytryptophan)
A by-product of a substance normally secreted in the body, but produced in excess when a patient has carcinoid tumors.

Heart valvular lesions
An abnormal change in the structure of the heart valves that can impair the heart’s function.

Hormone
A substance that is secreted by a cell that travels through the circulation to exert regulatory actions on other cells.

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I

Interferon
A therapy that works at the site of a tumor by boosting the ability of the immune system to fight the cancer.

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M

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A method of obtaining a thin cross-sectional X-ray view of a patient, using a large electromagnet to cause atoms in the body to emit radio waves.

Malignant tumor
A cancer tumor that, untreated, has the tendency to spread through the body and eventually cause death.

Metabolite
The by-product of a biochemical reaction within the body.

Metastasis
A new tumor produced by the transfer of cancer cells from the site of the original tumor.

Mucosa
A membrane rich in mucous glands. The gastrointestinal mucosa lines the stomach and intestines, supplying support, protection, and nutrients.

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N

Neuroendocrine tumor (NET)
Tumors arising in endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract.

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O

OctreoScan® (Kit for the Preparation of Indium In-111 Pentetreotide)*
An imaging technique that uses a small amount of radioactive material injected into the body, which is then detected by a special type of camera.

*OctreoScan® is a registered trademark of Mallinckrodt, Inc.

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P

Pellagra
A disease whose symptoms include skin rash, caused by lack of niacin.

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R

Radiotherapy
The use of radiation to kill rapidly growing tumor cells.

Respiratory
Pertaining to breathing.

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S

Secretion
A substance produced by a tissue that may be retained in the body or released from the body.

Serotonin
A substance that acts as a blood vessel constrictor that can also inhibit the normal functioning of the stomach.

Serotonin receptor blockers
Drugs used in the treatment of carcinoid syndrome to block the effects of increased serotonin.

Somatostatin
The naturally occurring hormone produced in many parts of the body that signals the pituitary to reduce the production of GH.

Somatostatin analogue
A drug that works at the site of carcinoid tumors to control hypersecretion of hormones and other substances.

Syndrome
A group of signs and symptoms associated with a disease.

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T

Telangiectasia
Red spots on the skin caused by abnormally dilated capillary vessels.

Tumor
A pathological tissue growth, characterized by uncontrolled multiplication of cells.

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V

VIPoma
VIP stands for Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide. A VIPoma is a tumor affecting tissue of the endocrine system, usually the pancreas.

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W

Wheezing
Breathing with difficulty, usually accompanied by a whistling sound.

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If there are additional words you are unfamiliar with, check with your heath care team. They will explain what these words mean and how they relate to you.
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