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EGFR Inhibitor: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor or HER1: A type of drug that
targets the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 1 protein. The EGFR protein
is found on the surface of some cancer cells and is responsible for the growth
of cancerous cells. Erlotinib (Tarceva) is currently the only EGFR Inhibitor
approved by the FDA for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic
pancreatic cancer.
Electrolytes: Electrically
charged minerals that help to maintain (1) the proper amount and kind of fluid
in every compartment of the body, and (2) the acid-base (pH) balance of the
body. Electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, and magnesium.
Emesis: Vomit.
Endocrine: Pertaining to hormones and the glands
that make and secrete them into the bloodstream through which they travel to
affect distant organs. The endocrine sites include the hypothalamus, pituitary
gland, pineal gland, thyroid, parathyroids, heart (which makes
atrial-natriuretic peptide), the stomach and intestines, islets of Langerhans
in the pancreas, the adrenal glands, the kidney (which makes renin,
erythropoietin, and calcitriol), fat cells (which make leptin), the testes, the
ovarian follicle (estrogens) and the corpus luteum in the ovary). Endocrine is
as opposed to exocrine. (The exocrine glands include the salivary glands, sweat
glands and glands within the gastrointestinal tract.)
Endocrinologist: A medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of hormonal abnormalities.
Endometiosis: A benign condition in which tissue that
looks like endometrial tissue grows in abnormal places in the abdomen.
Endoscope: A lighted optical instrument that is
used to get a deep look inside the body. An endoscope, which may be rigid or
flexible, can be used to examine organs, such as the throat or esophagus.
Specialized endoscopes are named for where they are intended to look. Examples
include the cystoscope (bladder), nephroscope (kidney), bronchoscope (bronchi),
laryngoscope (larynx), otoscope (ear), arthroscope (joint), laparoscope
(abdomen), and gastrointestinal endoscopes.
Endoscopic Retrograde
Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): An endoscope is passed through the
patient's mouth. This procedure uses a dye to highlight the bile ducts in your
pancreas. During ERCP, a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) is gently passed down
your throat, through your stomach and into the upper part of your small
intestine. Air is used to inflate your intestinal tract so that your doctor can
more easily see the openings of your pancreatic and bile ducts. A dye is then
injected into the ducts through a small hollow tube (catheter) that's passed
through the endoscope. Finally, X-rays are taken of the ducts. A tissue or cell
sample (biopsy) can be collected during ERCP. ERCP also can be used
therapeutically, for placement of a bile duct stent to relieve jaundice.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Similar
to endoscopy, EUS involves the insertion of a thin tube through the mouth and
into the stomach. At the tip of the tube is a small ultrasound probe that
bounces sound waves off the walls of the stomach. Because the stomach is
located next to the pancreas, EUS provides highly detailed pictures of the
pancreas. This method can be extremely useful in evaluating pancreatic masses
or cysts and can assist in removing pancreatic cells and fluid for analysis.
Enzyme: A protein (or protein-based molecule)
that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living organism. An enzyme acts as
catalyst for specific chemical reactions, converting a specific set of
reactants (called substrates) into specific products. Without enzymes, life as
we know it would not exist.
Enzyme replacement: A strategy designed to
replace missing enzyme activity in a patient. This strategy currently involves
the administration of a purified protein (the enzyme) by intravenous infusion.
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid): An omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish oils. EPA has been
found to stabilize weight in tumor-induced weight loss.
Esophagus: The muscular tube that connects the mouth
to the stomach and serves as a passageway for food.
Estrogen: A female hormone.
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography): A test used to visualize and examine the
pancreas and bile ducts. A tube is inserted through a patient's nose (or
throat), down through the esophagus and stomach then into the small intestine
(duodenum). There, a small probe is inserted into the ampulla of Vater. A
dye is injected through the probe and into the pancreatic and bile ducts.
X-rays are then taken and the pancreatic and bile ducts can be seen as white
structures (this is because the injected dye is opaque. Because pancreas
cancers often block the pancreatic and/or bile ducts, this technique can be
useful in establishing a diagnosis of pancreas cancer.
Erlotinib (Tarceva): A targeted therapy drug approved in 2005 by the FDA to treat advanced
pancreatic adenocarcinoma. It inhibits the growth of cancerous cells by
blocking the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) 1 on the surface of
some cancer cells.
Everolimus (Afinitor): A targeted therapy drug approved in 2011 by the FDA to treat advanced
pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. It inhibits the growth of cancer cells by
blocking the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) protein. It may also stop the
formation of blood vessels that provide nutrients and oxygen to the tumor.
Exocrine: Pertaining to the secretion of a substance
out through a duct. The exocrine glands include the salivary glands, sweat
glands and glands within the gastrointestinal tract. Exocrine is as opposed to
endocrine which refers to the secretion of a substance (a hormone) into the
bloodstream. The exocrine glands are the "glands of external
secretion" while the endocrine glands are "glands of internal
secretion."
Experimental Treatment: A drug, medical device, or a combination of treatments being tested in
humans for use in a specific disease or disorder. An experimental treatment for
pancreatic cancer may or may not already have FDA approval to treat another
disease or condition. Also called an investigational treatment/therapy.
