Glossary of Medical Terms

A rare disorder that causes benign (not cancer) growths of cartilage in the bones. These growths usually occur in the bones of the hands and feet, but they may also occur in the skull, ribs, and spine. They may cause bones to break, to be deformed, or to be shorter than normal. People with enchondromatosis have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, including chondrosarcoma (cancer that forms in bone cartilage) and cancers of the ovary or liver. Enchondromatosis is most common in children and young adults. Also called Ollier disease.

A drug used with cetuximab to treat adults with colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has already been treated with other anticancer therapy. It is used in patients whose cancer has a certain mutation (change) in a gene called BRAF. Encorafenib is also used with binimetinib to treat melanoma that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. It is used in patients whose cancer has a certain mutation in the BRAF gene. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Encorafenib blocks certain proteins made by the mutated BRAF gene, which may help keep cancer cells from growing and may kill them. It is a type of kinase inhibitor and a type of targeted therapy. Also called Braftovi.

Care given to people who are near the end of life and have stopped treatment to cure or control their disease. End-of-life care includes physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support for patients and their families. The goal of end-of-life care is to control pain and other symptoms so the patient can be as comfortable as possible. End-of-life care may include palliative care, supportive care, and hospice care.

Cancer that cannot be cured and leads to death. Also called terminal cancer.

In medicine, describes a disease that is constantly present in a certain geographic area or in a certain group of people. For example, endemic Burkitt lymphoma (a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma) is seen at constant levels in certain parts of Africa.

A medical device that tests to see if endothelial cells are damaged. Endothelial cells line the inner walls of blood vessels, lymph vessels, and the heart, and damage to them may be an early sign of heart disease. Endo-Pat 2000 looks for heart disease by using sensors that measure blood flow through a patient’s fingers. It is also being used to check blood vessels in patients treated for breast cancer. Also called EndoPat.

A condition in which the tissues lining the inside of the heart and the heart valves become inflamed (red and swollen). Endocarditis may be caused by infection with microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi.

A procedure in which a sample of abnormal tissue is removed from the cervix using a small, spoon-shaped instrument called a curette. The tissue is then checked under a microscope for signs of cervical cancer. This procedure may be done if abnormal cells are found during a Pap test.

The inner part of the cervix that forms a canal that connects the vagina to the uterus. The endocervix is lined with cells that make mucus. During a pelvic exam, cells may be scraped from the endocervix. The cells are checked under a microscope for infection, inflammation, and cancer or changes that may become cancer.

Refers to tissue that makes and releases hormones that travel in the bloodstream and control the actions of other cells or organs. Some examples of endocrine tissues are the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands.