Medical Glossary E
Edema (eh-DEE-ma): Swelling; an abnormal buildup of fluid.
Ejaculation: The release of semen through the penis during orgasm.
Electrodesiccation (e-LEK-tro-des-i-KAY-shun): Use of an electric current to destroy cancerous tissue and control bleeding.
Electrolarynx (e-LEK-tro-LAR-inks): A battery-operated instrument that makes a humming sound to help laryngectomees talk.
Embolization (EM-bo-li-ZAY-shun): Blocking an artery so that blood cannot flow to the tumor.
Encapsulated (en-KAP-soo-lay-ted): Confined to a specific area; the tumor remains in a compact form.
Endocervical curettage (en-do-SER-vi-kul kyoo-re-TAZH): The removal of tissue from the inside of the cervix using a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette.
Endocrinologist (en-do-kri-NOL-o-jist): A doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating hormone disorders.
Endometrial Cancer: Cancer of the endometrium, a common kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows. Cancer of the endometrium is different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus, which is called sarcoma of the uterus.
Endometriosis (en-do-mee-tree-O-sis): A benign condition in which tissue that looks like endometrial tissue grows in abnormal places in the abdomen.
Endoscope (EN-do-skope): A thin, lighted tube through which a doctor can look at tissues inside the body.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (en-do-SKAH-pik RET-ro-grade ko-LAN-jee-o-PAN-kree-a-TAW-gra-fee): A procedure to x-ray the common bile duct. Also called ERCP.
Endoscopy (en-DOS-ko-pee): An examination of the esophagus and stomach using a thin, lighted instrument called an endoscope.
Ependymoma (eh-PEN-dih-MO-ma): A type of brain tumor that usually develops in the lining of the ventricles, but may also occur in the spinal chord.
Enterostomal therapist (en-ter-o-STO-mul): A health professional trained in the care of urostomies and other stomas.
Environmental tobacco smoke: Smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette and smoke that is exhaled by smokers. Also called ETS or second-hand smoke. Inhaling ETS is called involuntary or passive smoking.
Enzyme: A substance that affects the rate at which chemical changes take place in the body.
Ependymoma (eh-PEN-di-MO-ma): Ependymal tumors are tumors that begin in the ependyma, the cells that line the passageways in the brain where special fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord (called cerebrospinal fluid) is made and stored. There are different kinds of ependymal tumors, which are defined by how the cells look under a microscope.
Epidermis (ep-i-DER-mis): The upper or outer layer of the two main layers of cells that make up the skin.
Epidermoid carcinoma (ep-i-DER-moyd): A type of lung cancer in which the cells are flat and look like fish scales. Also called squamous cell carcinoma.
Epiglottis (ep-i-GLOT-is): The flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs.
Epithelial carcinoma (ep-i-THEE-lee-ul kar-si-NO-ma): Cancer that begins in the cells that line an organ.
Epithelium (EP-i-THEE-lee-um): A thin layer of tissue that covers organs, glands, and other structures in the body.
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) (en-do-SKOP-ik RET-ro-grade ko-LAN-gee-o-PAN-kree-a-TOG-ra-fee): A procedure to x-ray the common bile duct.
Erythrocytes (e-RITH-ro-sites): Cells that carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Also called red blood cells (RBCs).
Erythroleukemia (e-RITH-ro-loo-KEE-mee-a): Leukemia that develops in erythrocytes. In this rare disease, the body produces large numbers of abnormal red blood cells.
Erythroplakia (eh-RITH-ro-PLAY-kee-a): A reddened patch with a velvety surface found in the mouth.
Esophageal (e-soff-a-JEE-al): Related to the esophagus.
Esophageal cancer: Cancer of the esophagus is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the esophagus. The esophagus is the hollow tube that carries food and liquid from the throat to the stomach.
Esophageal speech (e-SOF-a-JEE-al): Speech produced with air trapped in the esophagus and forced out again.
Esophagectomy (e-soff-a-JEK-to-mee): An operation to remove a portion of the esophagus.
Esophagoscopy (e-soff-a-GOSS-ko-pee): Examination of the esophagus using a thin, lighted instrument.
Esophagram (e-SOFF-a-gram): A series of x-rays of the esophagus. The x-ray pictures are taken after the patient drinks a solution that coats and outlines the walls of the esophagus. Also called a barium swallow.
Esophagus (e-SOF-a-gus): The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.
Estrogen (ES-tro-jin): A female hormone.
Etiology: The study of the causes of abnormal condition or disease.
Ewing's sarcoma (YOO-ingz sar-KO-ma): Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroepithelial tumor is a rare disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the bone. The most common areas in which it occurs are the pelvis, the thigh bone (femur), the upper arm bone (humerus), and the ribs. Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroepithelial tumor most frequently occurs in teenagers.
External radiation: Radiation therapy that uses a machine to aim high-energy rays at the cancer.