Glossary of Medical Terms

A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine and x-ray the pancreatic duct, hepatic duct, common bile duct, duodenal papilla, and gallbladder. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. The endoscope is passed through the mouth and down into the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). A smaller tube (catheter) is then inserted through the endoscope into the bile and pancreatic ducts. A dye is injected through the catheter into the ducts, and an x-ray is taken. Also called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

A drug used to treat urothelial cancer (a type of bladder cancer) that is locally advanced or has spread to other parts of the body. It is used in adults whose cancer has certain mutations in the FGFR3 gene or a fusion gene involving the FGFR3 or FGFR2 gene and has gotten worse during or after treatment with at least one type of platinum chemotherapy. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Erdafitinib blocks a protein called FGFR, which may help keep cancer cells from growing and may kill them. It is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called Balversa.

A very rare disorder in which too many histiocytes (a type of white blood cell) build up in certain tissues and organs and damage them. Erdheim-Chester disease most often affects the long bones of the arms and legs, but it can also affect the skin, lungs, heart, kidneys, brain, tissue behind the eyes, and the retroperitoneum (the back wall of the abdomen). The symptoms can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Erdheim-Chester disease is most common in adults. It is a type of histiocytosis. Also called ECD.

An inability to have an erection of the penis adequate for sexual intercourse. Also called impotence.

In medicine, the swelling of the penis with blood, causing it to become firm.

A form of vitamin D that helps the body use calcium and phosphorus to make strong bones and teeth. It is fat-soluble (can dissolve in fats and oils) and is found in plants and yeast. It can be made in the body from another form of vitamin D when the body is exposed to the sun. Ergocalciferol is also made in the laboratory. It is used to prevent and to treat vitamin D deficiency. It is a type of dietary supplement. Also called vitamin D2.

A drug used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has already been treated with an anthracycline and a taxane (types of anticancer drugs). It is also used to treat liposarcoma (a type of soft tissue sarcoma) that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. It is used in patients whose cancer has already been treated with an anthracycline. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Eribulin mesylate blocks cell growth by stopping cell division and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of antitubulin agent. Also called E7389 and Halaven.

A drug used to treat locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that has come back after surgery or radiation therapy. It is also used in patients who cannot be treated with surgery or radiation therapy. Erismodegib is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Erismodegib blocks a type of protein involved in tissue growth and repair and may block the growth of cancer cells. It is a type of hedgehog signaling pathway antagonist. Also called LDE225, Odomzo, and sonidegib phosphate.

A drug used to treat advanced basal cell carcinoma that has spread to other parts of the body or has come back after surgery. It is also used in patients who cannot be treated with surgery or radiation therapy. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Erivedge blocks a type of protein involved in tissue growth and repair and may block the growth of cancer cells. It is a type of Hedgehog signaling pathway antagonist. Also called GDC-0449 and vismodegib.

A drug used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and is castration sensitive (has responded to treatments that lower testosterone levels) and prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body and is castration resistant (has not responded to treatments that lower testosterone levels). Erleada binds to proteins called androgen receptors, which are found in some prostate cancer cells. These proteins bind to androgens (male hormones) and may cause cancer cells to grow. Erleada blocks these proteins and may keep cancer cells from growing. It is a type of antiandrogen. Also called apalutamide.