A
Angiogram
A type of diagnostic imaging that uses x-rays or computer images enhanced with a radiographic contrast medium.
Atypical carcinoid
A term sometimes used for a kind of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) in the lungs.
B
Benign tumor
Uncontrolled noncancerous cell growth.
Bronchodilator
A medication that causes an increase in the opening of the airway passages in the respiratory system.
C
Carcinoid crisis
A dangerous condition that is characterized by a drop in blood pressure, sometimes accompanied by an abnormally fast heart rate. Carcinoid crisis can be fatal.
Chemotherapy
The use of chemical agents (drugs) in the treatment or control of a disease, usually cancer.
Chromogranin A (CgA) test
A test that may be used as part of a NET diagnosis.
Computed tomography (CT) scan
A type of imaging. It uses special x-ray equipment to make cross-sectional pictures of your body.
Cyanosis
A bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin due to a deficiency in blood oxygen levels.
D
Differentiation
A term that describes how a tumor looks under a microscope compared with the normal tissue around it. If a NET is well differentiated, it may grow and spread very slowly. If a NET is poorly differentiated, it often grows and spreads rapidly.
Diuretics
Medications that help the body get rid of excess fluid.
Duodenum
The first part of the small intestine.
Dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing.
E
Edema
An abnormal accumulation of fluid in body tissue.
Electrolytes
Substances such as sodium or potassium that can conduct electricity and are necessary to regulate most of the processes in the body.
F
Flushing
Redness caused by vasodilation that commonly occurs on the face or neck.
Functional neuroendocrine tumor
A NET that makes and releases hormones, causing symptoms.
G
Gallium scan
An imaging test that uses a small amount of radioactive tracer that may be used for the diagnosis of certain NETs.
Gastrinoma
A tumor that causes overproduction of gastric acid. It usually begins in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach) or the islet cells of the pancreas. It is a type of NET.
Gastroenteropancreatic NET (GEP-NET)
A NET found in the gastrointestinal tract (digestive system) or pancreas.
Gastrointestinal tract
The tube that extends from the mouth to the anus, in which the movement of muscles and release of hormones and enzymes digest food.
Glucagonoma
A type of functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET).
Glucose
A sugar found in many foods and in normal blood; the main source of energy for most living organisms.
H
5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)
A by-product of serotonin, a substance normally secreted in the body but produced in excess when a patient has functional carcinoid tumors; 5-HIAA may be used in the diagnosis of functional carcinoid tumors.
Hormone
A substance that is secreted by a cell that travels through the circulation to exert regulatory actions on other cells.
I
Islet cell tumor
A term used for a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET).
M
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A method that uses a large magnet and radio waves to look at organs and structures inside the body.
Malignant tumor
A cancerous tumor that invades adjacent tissues and spreads to other organs.
Metabolite
The by-product of a biochemical reaction within the body.
Metastasis
A new tumor produced by the spread of cancer cells from the site of the original tumor.
Mucosa
The moist lining of organs and body cavities, including the nose, mouth, lungs, and stomach, that have mucus-producing glands.
N
Neuroendocrine tumor (NET)
Tumor arising in neuroendocrine cells throughout the body.
Nonfunctional neuroendocrine tumor
A NET that does not make or release hormones.
P
Pellagra
A disease whose symptoms include skin rash, caused by a lack of niacin.
R
Radiotherapy
The use of radiation to damage tumor cells.
S
Secrete
To release a substance that may be retained in the body or released from the body.
Serotonin
Serotonin acts both as a neurotransmitter (a substance that nerves use to send messages to one another) and a vasoconstrictor (a substance that causes blood vessels to narrow).
Somatostatin
A naturally occurring hormone produced in many parts of the body that signals the pituitary gland to reduce the production of growth hormone (GH).
Syndrome
A group of signs and symptoms associated with a disease.
T
Telangiectasia
Red spots on the skin, caused by abnormally dilated capillary vessels.
Tumor
A tissue growth, characterized by uncontrolled multiplication of cells.
V
VIPoma
Tumor affecting tissue of the endocrine system, usually the pancreas. VIP stands for vasoactive intestinal peptide.
W
Wheezing
Breathing with difficulty, usually accompanied by a whistling sound.
If there are additional words that are unfamiliar to you, check with your health care team. They will explain what these words mean and how they relate to you.