Glossary of Cancer Terms - E-H

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ejaculation - the release of semen through the penis during orgasm.

electrofulgeration - destroys a cancer by burning it with electrical current.

electrolarynx - a battery-powered instrument that makes a humming sound. An electrolarynx is used to help someone whose voice box (larynx) has been removed.

endocervical curettage - the scraping of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal using a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette.

endoscopic ultrasound - a test that uses an endoscope (a flexible tube inserted into the body) to bounce high-energy sound waves off internal tissues and organs and change the echoes into pictures (sonograms). Also called endosonography.

endoscopy - the use of a thin, lighted tube (called an endoscope) to examine the inside of the body.

epithelial cells - cells that line the internal and external surfaces of the body.

epithelium - a thin layer of tissue that covers organs, glands, and other structures within the body.

ER - Estrogen receptor. Protein found on some cancer cells to which estrogen will attach.

ER+ - Estrogen receptor positive. Breast cancer cells that have a protein (receptor molecule) to which estrogen will attach. Breast cancer cells that are ER+ need the hormone estrogen to grow and will usually respond to hormone (antiestrogen) therapy that blocks these receptor sites.

ER- - Estrogen receptor negative. Breast cancer cells that do not have a protein (receptor molecule) to which estrogen will attach. Breast cancer cells that are ER- do not need the hormone estrogen to grow and usually do not respond to hormone (antiestrogen) therapy that blocks these receptor sites.

esophageal speech - speech produced by trapping air in the esophagus and forcing it out again. It is used by someone whose voice box (larynx) has been removed.

esophagus - the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach. (the gullet)

estrogen - female sex hormones produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands, placenta, and fat.

expectant therapy - (watch and wait) involves no immediate treatment if the cancer is not causing any symptoms, is expected to grow very slowly, and is small and contained within one area.

external beam radiation - radiation therapy that uses a machine such as a linear accelerator or a Cobalt apparatus to aim high-energy rays at the cancer. Also called external radiation.

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fallopian tubes - part of the female reproductive tract. The long slender tubes through which eggs pass from the ovaries to the uterus.

fecal occult blood test - (FOBT) a chemical test that can detect blood in a bowel movement, a symptom of colorectal cancer. A sample of stool is examined for blood.

fractionation - dividing the total dose of radiation therapy into several smaller, equal doses delivered over a period of several days or weeks.

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gallbladder - The pear shaped organ found below the liver. Bile is concentrated and stored in the gallbladder.

gastrectomy - an operation to remove all or part of the stomach.

gastric - having to do with the stomach.

genetic markers - alterations in DNA that may indicate an increased risk of developing a specific disease or disorder.

germ cell tumors - tumors that begin in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs. They can occur virtually anywhere in the body and can be either benign or malignant.

germ cells - the reproductive cells of the body, specifically egg or sperm cells.

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HER1 - Epidermal growth factor receptor. The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer, so these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor. Also known as EGFR or ErbB1.

HER2/neu - Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The HER2/neu protein is involved in the growth of some cancer cells. Also called c-erbB-2.

hard palate - the front bony portion of the roof of the mouth.

Hodgkin's disease - a malignant disease of the lymphatic system that is characterized by painless enlargement of lymph nodes, the spleen, or other lymphatic tissue. It is sometimes accompanied by symptoms such as fever, weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats.

hormone therapy - treatment of cancer by removing, blocking, or adding hormones. Also called endocrine therapy or hormonal therapy.

human papillomavirus - HPV- a virus that causes abnormal tissue growth (warts) and is often associated with some types of cancer, such as cervical cancer.

hypopharynx - the bottom part of the throat. Cancer of the hyopharynx is also called hypopharyngeal cancer.

hysterectomy - an operation in which the uterus is removed.

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