Glossary

barium contrast enema (BARE-ee-um EN-uh-ma)
See double contrast barium enema.

benign (beh-NINE)
Not cancerous; does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.

biopsy (BY-ahp-see)
A procedure used to remove cells or tissues in order to look at them under a microscope to check for signs of disease.

bowel (BOU-el)
The intestine, or section of the intestines, especially the part of the intestine that connects to the anus.

cancer (KAN-ser)
A disease in which cells grow out of control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

cathartic (kuh-THAR-tik)
A drug that promotes bowel movements.

colectomy (ko-LEK-to-mee)
An operation to remove all or part of the colon. In a partial colectomy, only the cancerous part of the colon is removed, along with a small amount of surrounding tissue that appears to be healthy.

colitis (ko-LI-tus)
Inflammation of the colon, characterized by lower-bowel spasms and upper abdominal cramps. Also called colonitis.

colon (KO-lun)
The long, coiled, tube-like organ (also known as large bowel or large intestine) that removes water from digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called "stool," moves through the colon and the rectum and leaves the body through the anus. Parts of the colon include: cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon.

colonoscope (ko-LAHN-o-skope)
A flexible, lighted tube with a built-in tiny camera used to view the inside of the entire colon and rectum.

colonoscopy (ko-lun-AHS-ko-pee)
An examination of the inside of the colon using a thin, lighted tube (called a colonoscope) that is inserted into the rectum. The doctor may collect samples of tissue or cells for closer examination. The doctor may also remove polyps during colonoscopy.

colorectal (ko-lo-REK-tul)
Related to the colon, rectum, or both.

Crohn's disease (kronz)
Crohn's disease causes inflammation typically in the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, but it can affect any part of the digestive tract. The inflammation extends deep into the lining of the affected organ, can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease. (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines.

digestive tract (di-JES-tiv trakt)
the tubular passage between the mouth and the anus, including the organs through which food passes for digestion and elimination as waste. Also called the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
An exam in which a doctor inserts a gloved finger into the patient's rectum to feel for any abnormalities or irregularities.

Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE) (BARE-ee-um EN-uh-ma)
A series of x-rays of the colon and rectum. The x-rays are taken after a liquid with a dye called barium is inserted into the rectum, followed by an injection of air. The barium outlines the intestines on the x-rays, allowing many abnormal growths to be visible. Also known as a barium contrast enema or lower GI series.

enema (EN-uh-ma)
The insertion of a liquid into the bowels through the rectum.

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) (fa-MIL-yul pah-li-PO-sis)
An inherited condition in which numerous polyps (tissue masses) develop on the inside walls of the colon and rectum. This condition increases a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) (FEE-kul o-KULT)
A test to check for hidden blood in stool. Fecal refers to stool. Occult means hidden.

flexible sigmoidoscopy
See sigmoidoscopy.

gastrointestinal (gas-tro-in-TES-tin-ul)
Referring to the part of the digestive tract where the body processes food and eliminates waste. It includes the esophagus, stomach, liver, intestines, and rectum.

Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) (hu-RED-i-tare-ee non-pah-li-PO-sis)
A hereditary type of colorectal cancer that usually affects people at a relatively young age who have not developed many polyps. Women with this condition also have an increased risk of developing cancer of the endometrium (lining of the upper part of the uterus).

intestine (in-TES-tin)
The portion of the digestive tract extending from the stomach to the anus.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a general term for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines. The two most common types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

laxative (LAK-suh-tiv)
a food or drug that promotes a bowel movement.

polyp (POL-ip)
An abnormal, often precancerous growth of tissue (colorectal polyps are growths of tissue inside the intestine).

rectum (REK-tum)
The last 8 to 10 inches of the large intestine. The rectum stores solid waste until it leaves the body through the anus.

screening (SKREE-ning)
Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Screening tests for colorectal cancer include: fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and double contrast barium enema.

sedation (si-DAY-shen)
A calm, restful, or drowsy state usually brought on by an anxiety or tension reducing drug (sedative).

sedative (SED-uh-tiv)
An anxiety or tension reducing drug that is sometimes used to lessen pain and relax patients.

sigmoidoscope (sig-MOY-da-skope)
A flexible, lighted instrument with a built-in tiny camera that allows a doctor to view the lining of the rectum and lower half of the colon.

sigmoidoscopy (flexible sigmoidoscopy) (sig-moid-OSS-ko-pee)
Also called proctosigmoidoscopy. A procedure in which the doctor looks inside the rectum and the lower portion of the colon (sigmoid colon) through a flexible, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope. The doctor may collect samples of tissue or cells for closer examination and remove some polyps within view.

stool (stool)
The waste matter discharged in a bowel movement; feces.

ulcerative colitis (UHL-sur-ra-tiv ko-LI-tus)
A disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the top layers of the large intestine's lining. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon, but it may affect the entire colon. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines. Also called colitis, ileitis, or proctitis.