- A
- Acromegaly is a disease that happens when the body produces too much growth hormone.
This causes an overgrowth of all of the tissues in the body (like increased hand and
feet size). It is very rare.
- Adenomatous (precancerous) polyps are growths that have cells that
look and act differently than normal colon cells. They are likely to become
cancerous as they grow.
- Anemia is an abnormal decrease in the number of red blood cells present in a person's blood.
- B
- During a biopsy, a small amount of tissue (the size of a single letter in a newspaper) is pinched
off the side of your intestines and is sent to a laboratory where it is viewed and
analyzed under a microscope.
- BMI stands for body mass index which works out the amount of
body fat from a person’s height and weight. Body mass index is weight (in kilograms)
divided height squared or height times height (in meters).
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- C
- Cholangiocarcinoma is a cancer that develops in the bile ducts. Bile ducts connect
the liver with the intestines.
- The colon is the large intestine. It is the last part of the digestive tract. The
colon’s purpose is to absorb liquids and salts (electrolytes). Generally after a person
eats it takes 2-3 days for the food to go through the entire large intestine.
- Colon Polyps are growths that project from the inside lining of the large portion
of the intestines or bowel. There are two types of polyps that are typically found:
Adenomatous (precancerous) polyps and Hyperplastic polyps
- Colorectal cancer is cancer of the large portion of the intestines or bowel
(colon).
- Crohn's disease is inflammation that happens in all of the intestines and can
even extend into the stomach and mouth.
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- D
- Dysplasia is a cancerous or precancerous condition. Diagnosis requires examination of multiple tissue samples under a microscope.
- E
- Endometrial or uterine cancer is a malignant growth of cells in the lining of the
uterus. The uterus is the muscular organ in women where babies develop.
- F
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an inherited cancer syndrome. A person
affected by FAP has a 100% lifetime risk for developing colon cancer over time.
Genetic testing for FAP is available.
- G
- A gastroenterology specialist is a doctor with extensive training in diseases of the
digestive tract. A specialist who has is focused on digestive diseases is especially
prepared to answer questions about, perform tests on, diagnose and prescribe the best
course of treatment for complicated conditions of this part of the body.
- Before you get genetic testing, you may want to meet with a specially-trained health
professional who can help you find and understand information so you can make a truly
informed decision about whether or not to get genetic testing.
- Genetic testing involves taking a sample of tissue or body fluid and then looking
into the sample cells for DNA.
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- H
- Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is a specific form of inherited
colorectal cancer which accounts for about 5% of all colorectal cancers. Genetic
testing for HNPCC is available.
- Hyperplastic Polyps are growths that look and act differently than normal colon
cells. They rarely become cancerous.
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- I
- Inflammatory bowel disease refers to diseases which cause the lining of
the intestines to become inflamed. This happens because the immune system attacks the
inside of the intestines. Inflammatory bowel disease covers two diseases,
Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's
disease.
- O
- Ovarian cancer is a malignant growth of cells in the ovaries. The ovaries are glands
that a woman has which produce eggs and hormones.
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- P
- Precancerous (adenomatous) polyps are growths that have cells that
look and act differently than normal colon cells. They are likely to become
cancerous as they grow.
- see Colon Polyps
- R
- The rectum is the last 10-15 centimeters of the large intestine or colon. Its
purpose is to store fecal matter for awhile so that a person does not have to run
to the bathroom for a bowel movement each time stool comes down the colon. The rectum
has muscles that close while holding stool in, and muscles that open when a person
has a bowel movement to let stool out.
- U
- Ulcerative colitis is inflammation that happens only in the large portion of the
intestine (colon).
- Urinary tract cancer refers to tumors that develop in the tubes that lead from the
kidneys to the bladder.
- The uterus is the muscular organ where babies develop
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