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Chapter 14 Glossary of Terms |
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. They are used in many nutritional therapies for patients who cannot eat or drink. For Indium‐111 Octreotide therapy, certain types of amino acids are used to stop special receptors in the kidney. The Indium‐111 Octreotide naturally attaches to kidney receptors. This can damage the kidney and can make the therapy less effective.
Biologically Active
A ‘biologically active’ substance is one that is both made by the body and has an effect on a bodily function. These functions can include digestion or the control of blood sugar levels. The body makes hundreds of biologically active proteins, hormones and other substances.
Catecholamines
Catecholamines (kat‐eh‐ko‐luh‐meens) are biologically active substances made by the adrenal gland. They can be measured in a 24‐hour urine collection.
Chromogranin A
Chromogranin A (CgA) is a substance made by tumour cells and is released into the bloodstream. The Neuroendocrine Team measures CgA levels to evaluate tumour growth. CgA is taken at regular intervals.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot or thrombus that develops in the arm or leg. Sometimes, a DVT can happen without any cause. However, it usually starts when the lining of a vein is injured or when there is inactivity like sitting for a very long time on an airplane. In some cases, a piece of the clot will break away and travel to the lung, causing a pulmonary embolism.
Functional Tumour
A functional tumour is one that makes hormones and other biologically active products.
Hormone
A hormone is a biologically active substance made by an organ. Its function is to tell other organs to increase or decrease an activity like digestion or growth. Sometimes hormones from one organ will make another organ produce or reduce a different hormone.
Interventional Radiologist
The Interventional Radiologist is a specialist physician who is trained to perform highly skilled procedures, like inserting tubes into a person for feeding, drainage, special imaging and embolization.
MEN Syndromes
MEN is an acronym for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasias. These are inherited syndromes. If one parent has MEN, his or her child will have a 50% chance of inheriting the syndrome.
There are two categories:
- MEN‐I includes pituitary, parathyroid, and pancreatic endocrine tumours.
- MEN‐II
− MEN‐II A includes medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, and parathyroid hyperplasia (overgrowth of normal cells).
− MEN‐II B includes medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, multiple tumours of the mucous membranes including the lips, tongue and eyelids.
Multiphasic CT Scan
A multiphasic CT scan is a specialized CT scan that shows how blood flows through the liver. Before the scan is started, the patient will take a special drink and have an injection. Both these solutions help make sharper images for the CT scan. This scan is used to see if the patient is able to have a hepatic artery embolization.
Non‐functional Tumour
A non‐functional tumour is one that does not make hormones and other biologically active products.
PICC
PICC is an acronym for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. It is a long tube that is inserted into a vein in the arm and ends just before the heart. The purpose of the PICC is to give repeated medicine and fluids without having to use a needle at every visit. The PICC dressing needs to be changed every week and the site needs to be carefully cleaned to prevent infection. If the line is not in use, it will be flushed weekly to prevent it from plugging.
Portal Vein
A large vein that brings 80% of the blood to the liver.
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism is the term used to describe a blood clot that blocks an artery leading to the lungs. These clots can form in the leg before detaching and traveling through the bloodstream. They cause chest pain, severe shortness of breath, restlessness, anxiety and cough. It is also possible to have blood in the sputum (mucous from the lung) and a low grade fever.
Radioisotope
A radioisotope is a radioactive substance. Nuclear Medicine Physicians use radioisotopes for special types of scans and to treat certain neuroendocrine tumours. These radioisotopes connect to certain receptors on the tumour cells. If the nuclear medicine scan shows that the tumour has the right type of receptors, the same radioisotopes will be used in much higher doses to treat it. The radioisotopes used at LRCP include Indium‐111 Octreotide, MIBG (Metaiodobenzyl Guanidine), and Iodine‐131 Lipiodol.
Zollinger‐Ellison Syndrome
Zollinger‐Ellison Syndrome is a condition caused by some endocrine tumours in the pancreas. These tumours release large amounts of gastrin, a hormone which makes the stomach produce high amounts of acid and pepsin. People with Zollinger‐Ellison Syndrome tend to have more ulcers of the stomach and small bowel.
Acknowledgements
Wendy Gillis, MScN, APN
Rosemary Davidson, RN, Neuroendocrine Coordinator
London Regional Cancer Program London
Health Sciences Centre (LHSC)
All images are copyrighted by London Regional Cancer Program except where noted.
This booklet was made possible by an unrestricted education grant fromNovartis Oncology.
Contact Patient Education
519‐685‐8742
Email: lrcpeducation@lhsc.on.ca
Reviewed by the LRCP Patient Education Committee March 2008
NS5932 (2008/04/09)
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