Glossary

A-C|D-F|G-I|J-L|M-O|P-R|S-U|V-Z

A-C

Adenocarcinoma

The most common type of pancreatic cancer involving the cells lining the pancreatic duct which produce enzymes for digestion.

Anemic

Feeling weak and tired because of a low red blood cell count.

Appeals

Requests for reconsideration if you've been initially denied insurance coverage.

Benign

Not cancerous.

Cancer

General word for cells that grow, divide and organize in an uncontrolled way. Cancer cells form tumors.

Carcinoma

A form of cancer that develops in tissues covering or lining organs. The most common form of cancer.

Chemotherapy

Drugs used to stop cancer cells from multiplying. Chemotherapy is described as first-line, second-line or third-line, depending on the stage of cancer being treated. Drugs may be taken orally or injected into a vein.

Clinical Studies

A research study that involves participants and is designed to answer scientific questions about the treatment and prevention of cancer.

D-F

Dosage

A determined amount of prescribed drug.

Endocrine

Refers to a gland that secrets hormones into the body by way of the bloodstream.

Exocrine

Refers to a gland that secrets digestive juices through ducts into the body.

Fatigue

Feeling tired.

First-line Therapy (or treatment)

The first type of treatment given for a disease such as cancer.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Government organization responsible for assuring the safety and effectiveness of drugs, food and other products.

G-I

Gemcitabine

Gemcitabine (Gemzar^® *) is a chemotherapy drug that is used to treat certain types of cancer. In the class of drugs known antimetabolites.

Genentech^® Access to Care Foundation

The Genentech Access to Care Foundation was established to help qualified patients with unmet medical needs to receive proper medical treatment. The Genentech Access to Care Foundation may be available to help those who are not able to obtain Tarceva for financial reasons.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that increases the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

HER1/EGFR

Protein molecule found on the surface of some cells. Abnormal functioning of HER1/EGFR can cause cancer.

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

A lung condition in which the tissue between the air sacs of the lungs becomes inflamed or damaged.

Intravenously

Injected into a vein.

Islet cells

A pancreatic cell that produces hormones (e.g., insulin and glucagon) that are secreted into the bloodstream. These hormones help control the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

J-L

Lymph fluid

Liquid circulating throughout your body that picks up germs and carries them to the lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes

Pea-shaped nodules found throughout your body. They help rid the body of infection by collecting germs found in lymph fluid.

M-O

Mail Order Pharmacy

A pharmacy that will ship prescribed medication directly to your address.

Malignant

Cancerous.

Metastatic

Cancer that has spread from one part of the body to another.

Metastasizes

Spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.

Oncologist

Doctor who specializes in treating cancer.

P-R

Palliative therapy

To relieve symptoms and reduce suffering caused by cancer.

Pancreas

A long, irregularly shaped gland lying behind the stomach that secretes pancreatic juice, insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream.

Platinum-based Chemotherapy

Drugs containing small amounts of the metal platinum used to destroy cancer cells by stopping their ability to reproduce. Also kills other healthy cells.

Pleura

Thin layer of tissue lining the lungs and chest cavity.

Prognosis

Outlook for recovery.

Radiation

Treatment that uses high-energy x-ray beams to shrink a tumor. May be used alone or with surgery and chemotherapy.

Regimen

How often you receive treatment. In chemotherapy, a regimen usually includes time off from treatment so your body can rest.

Resectable

When a tumor can be removed with surgery.

S-U

Second-line Therapy (or treatment)

Treatment given when the first treatment does not work or stops working.

Staging

Measurement of how far cancer has spread. Indicated by stage numbers I-IV. The lower the stage, the better the outlook.

Tarceva Access Solutions

Tarceva Access Solutions provides coverage and reimbursement support, patient assistance and informational resources for both patients and their health care providers

Targeted treatment

Type of cancer treatment that targets only certain types of cell activities.

Third-line Therapy (or treatment)

Treatment given when both the first and second treatments don't work or stop working.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor

A drug that interferes with cell communication and growth and may prevent cancer tumor growth.

Unresectable

Not capable of being resected.

V-Z

White blood cells

Cells that help the body fight infection and disease.

* Gemzar^® is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company