Glossary of Medical Terms

The study of the patterns, causes, and control of disease in groups of people.

A protein made by many cells in the body and by some types of tumors. It causes cells to grow and differentiate (become more specialized). It is a type of growth factor and a type of cytokine. Also called EGF.

A protein found on certain types of cells that binds to a substance called epidermal growth factor. The epidermal growth factor receptor protein is involved in cell signaling pathways that control cell division and survival. Sometimes, mutations (changes) in the EGFR gene cause epidermal growth factor receptor proteins to be made in higher than normal amounts on some types of cancer cells. This causes cancer cells to divide more rapidly. Drugs that block epidermal growth factor receptor proteins are being used in the treatment of some types of cancer. Epidermal growth factor receptors are a type of receptor tyrosine kinase. Also called EGFR, ErbB1, and HER1.

A gene that makes a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is involved in cell growth and cell survival. Mutated (changed) forms of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene and protein have been found in some types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer. These changes may cause cancer cells to grow and spread in the body. Checking for changes in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene in tumor tissue may help plan cancer treatment. Also called EGFR gene, ERBB1 gene, and HER1 gene.

A substance that blocks the activity of a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR is found on the surface of some normal cells and is involved in cell growth. It may also be found at high levels on some types of cancer cells, which causes these cells to grow and divide. Blocking EGFR may keep cancer cells from growing. Some epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors are used to treat cancer. Also called EGFR inhibitor, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

A substance that blocks the activity of a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR is found on the surface of some normal cells and is involved in cell growth. It may also be found at high levels on some types of cancer cells, which causes these cells to grow and divide. Blocking EGFR may keep cancer cells from growing. Some epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors are used to treat cancer. Also called EGFR inhibitor, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor.

The outer layer of the two main layers of the skin.

A rare, inherited disorder that makes people susceptible to chronic infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). It causes wart-like lesions or reddish-brown scaly patches to form most often on the skin of the face, neck, hands, arms, legs, feet, and trunk. Epidermodysplasia verruciformis usually appears at an early age and can get worse over time. People with this disorder have a high risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer at an early age, especially squamous cell skin cancer. Epidermodysplasia verruciformis is caused by mutations (changes) in the EVER1/TMC6 or EVER2/TMC8 genes.

Cancer that begins in squamous cells. Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales, and are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the lining of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Most cancers of the anus, cervix, head and neck, and vagina are epidermoid carcinomas. Also called squamous cell carcinoma.

A group of chronic skin disorders in which fluid-filled blisters form on the skin and mucosa (the moist, inner lining of some organs and body cavities). Epidermolysis bullosa is inherited and usually starts at birth. Patients with epidermolysis bullosa may be at increased risk of squamous cell cancer of the skin.