Glossary of Terms

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5-FU (fluorouracil)	A chemotherapy drug used as a treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and panreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). It is often used in clinical trials in combination with other drugs and/or radiation.
Abdomen	The part of the body between the ribs and the hips. It holds the stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen, intestines, pancreas, kidneys and bladder.
Aborted surgery	Surgery that is not completed for the safety of the patient, because of the spread and/or location of cancer that could not be seen using imaging tests.
ABRAXANE® (albumin-bound paclitaxel)	A chemotherapy drug approved by the FDA in 2013 to treat metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma in combination with gemcitabine (Gemzar®). ABRAXANE® is a modified form of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel.
Adenocarcinoma	The most common type of pancreatic cancer. It grows from the cells that line the pancreatic duct. These cells are responsible for producing enzymes for digestion.
Adjuvant therapy	The legal documents that state exactly how the person wants to be cared for and who they want to make decisions for them if they become unable to communicate their wishes.
Adverse event	“A health-related problem that occurs during treatment that may or may not be related to the treatment. Adverse events may be mild, moderate or severe. All adverse events must be reported to the FDA.”
Aftereffects	Side effects of cancer treatment that linger after treatment has ended. New side effects from cancer treatment can also manifest months, or even years, after the treatment regimen is complete.
Alternative medicine	A type of treatment not regulated by the U.S. FDA because they are unproven and often promoted as cures. Alternative therapies include treatment through the use of dietary supplements, special teas, vitamins, herbal preparations and practices such as massage therapy, acupuncture, spiritual healing and meditation.
Ambulatory (outpatient) surgery center	A facility that provides minimally invasive surgeries on an outpatient basis. Most ambulatorysurgeries require patients to stay at the center for 2-4 hours.
Ampulla of Vater	The place where the liver and pancreas ducts join when they enter the small intestine.
Amylase	An enzyme secreted in saliva and by the pancreas that breaks down complex carbohydrates called starches.
Anemia	A condition in which the number of red blood cells is lower than normal.
Anesthesia	The loss of feeling or awareness caused by drugs. Local anesthesia causes loss of feeling in one part of the body. General anesthesia puts the person to sleep.
Anorexia	The loss of appetite or aversion for food; may be experienced by patients with pancreatic cancer.
Anticoagulants	Sometimes called blood thinners, medication that decreases the blood’s ability to clot.
Ascites (pronounced ə-ˈsī-tēz)	Abnormal buildup of fluid in the belly. It is usually related to cancer.
Benign	A term used to describe a growth that is not cancerous. Benign tumors do not spread to, or invade, nearby tissues or other parts of the body.
Bile	A fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bileis excreted into the small intestine, where it helps digest fat.
Bilirubin	A substance produced in the liver when the body breaks down hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Bilirubin is yellowish-green in color and is eliminated in the bile.
Biomarker	A substance, like a gene or protein, that can be measured to learn more about a person’s cancer.
Biomarker testing	Analysis of a patient’s tissue, usually tumor or blood, that tests for specific genetic mutations or biomarkers. Oncologists can use this information to determine if there are therapies to target that patient’s tumor.
Blog	A website that functions as an online diary or commentary on a particular subject. A blog may combine text, images, audio, video and links to other online resources. Many blogs allow readers to leave comments or responses regarding the author’s content. The term blog is a fusion of the words web and log (web log).
Blood clot	A clump of blood that forms in a vein. When it forms in a deep vein, it is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). See deep vein thrombosis.
Body mass index (BMI)	A number that measures a person’s body mass based on their height and weight, regardless of tissue type. For adults, BMI is grouped into weight status categories: underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese.
Calories	Energy available in food.
Cancer	A group of cells in the body that grows and divides uncontrollably and can invade and damage tissues and organs. Cancer cells sometimes spread from the first cancer site and form new tumors in other parts of the body.
Cancer cachexia (pronounced kə-kĕk’sē-ə)	A cancer-related condition marked by weight loss due to the body’s improper use of calories and proteins. Cancer cachexia causes fatigue and weakness and may impair the body’s response to treatment.
Cancer-fighting treatment	Any cancer treatment with a goal that is curative in nature. Cancer-fighting treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and/ or immunotherapy.
Carbohydrate	A nutrient found in food. Carbohydrates are the preferred fuel for most body functions. With the exception of milk, foods high in carbohydrates are derived from plant sources.
Care Plan	A strategy that is based on fulfilling the cancer patient’s individualized needs.
Caregiver	A term used to refer to the individual providing most of the patient’s day-to-day care, whether that person is a spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, relative, close friend or privately hired person. This person is also referred to as the primary caregiver.
Catheter	A tube that allows fluid to pass into or out of a body cavity or blood vessel.
Celiac axis	A short, thick artery arising from the largest artery in the body, the aorta. The celiac axis starts just below the diaphragm and divides almost immediately into the gastric, hepatic and splenic arteries.
Celiac plexus	A bundle of nerves in the upper abdomen that extends from the pancreas, gall bladder, intestines, liver and stomach. If the tumor presses on the nerve bundle, pain signals are transmitted to the brain.
Celiac plexus block	A procedure in which a substance such as alcohol is injected into the celiac plexus of the abdomen to destroy the nerves. These nerve-destroying substances prevent pain signals from traveling to the brain so the patient no longer feels pain.
Chemotherapy	A type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
Chromogranin A (cGA)	A protein produced in the pancreas that helps regulate hormone-producing cells. Doctors can check levels of this protein in the blood to check for problems in the pancreas.
Chronic	A chronic disease is a condition that lasts for a long period of time and recurs frequently. Chronic conditions are usually manageable but not curable.
Clinical endpoint	The specific medical measure(s) of a treatment’s impact.
Clinical trial	A research study that investigates new treatments or new combinations of treatments. Pancreatic cancer clinical trials are the only way for researchers to know if treatments developed in the laboratory will help people with pancreatic cancer. They also give patients the chance to get a promising new treatment.
Common bile duct	The duct that carries bile from the gallbladder and liver into the upper part of the small intestine.
Complementary medicine	A type of treatment in which alternative medicine is used in conjunction with conventional medicine.
Constipation	TA condition characterized by hard, dry bowel movements. It is associated with discomfort in passing stools and/or infrequent passing of stools.
Continuity of care	A system of care in which the patient and doctor work together to ensure that the patient receives consistent, high-quality, cost-effective medical care.
Cyst	An enclosed, fluid-filled sac in the body.
Cytokines	A group of compounds that allow cells to communicate with each other. Normally, cytokines help stimulate or suppress the immune system. In pancreatic cancer, cytokines can abnormally influence the rate at energy is used in the body, causing weight loss and appetite suppression.
Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB)	An impartial group that oversees an ongoing clinical trial and reviews the results to determine if they are acceptable. This group determines if the trial should be modified or closed at any time during the trial.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)	The formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, generally in the lower extremities. DVT can cause serious problems if it breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs. Symptoms of DVT include swelling, pain when walking or flexing the foot and sometimes redness in one leg.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)	The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next.
Diabetes	A chronic disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or properly use the hormone insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body does not use it properly.
Diarrhea	A condition marked by frequent and loose bowel movements.
Dietitian	A healthcare professional trained in food, nutrition, biochemistry and physiology. A dietitian can provide guidance regarding an appropriate diet for each patient with pancreatic cancer.
Diuretic	A substance that promotes increased urine excretion.
Distal pancreatectomy	A type of pancreatic surgery where the body and tail of the pancreas and often the spleen are removed.
Dosage	A determined amount of a prescribed drug.
Dose escalation	A process in clinical trials designed to find the best, most effective, and safest dosage of an experimental treatment.
Doxorubicin	A chemotherapy drug used to treat PNETs.
Drug classes	How experts divide all medicines based on how they work. Class names usually describe in scientific terms what the drug does or what it looks like.
DTIC-Dome® (dacarbazine)	A chemotherapy drug used to treat PNETs.
Dumping syndrome	A condition in which there is rapid emptying of the stomach shortly after eating. It may be characterized by flushed skin, weakness, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Duodenum	The first portion of the small intestine, located just below the stomach.
Dysphagia	Trouble swallowing foods or liquids. Can be mild (slight difficulty swallowing) to severe (inability to swallow safely).
Effectiveness/Efficacy	The ability of a treatment to produce the desired beneficial response. The efficacy of a treatment is evaluated during Phase II and Phase III clinical trials.
Electrolytes	Electrically charged minerals that help to maintain (1) the proper amount and kind of fluid in every compartment of the body and (2) the acid-base (pH) balance of the body. Electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride and magnesium.
Eligibility requirements	A set of basic qualifying standards that must be met in order to participate in a clinical trial.
Endocrine gland	An organ that secretes hormones into the body through the bloodstream. The endocrine function of the pancreasis is to produce insulin and glucagon, which work together to control the levels of sugar in the blood.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)	A procedure used to image the digestive tract, including the pancreas. In this procedure, a thin, lighted tube called an endoscope is guided through the mouth and stomach and into the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). A narrower plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted through the endoscope and into the bile and pancreatic ducts from the small intestine.
Enzyme	A protein that causes a chemical reaction in the body. Pancreatic enzymes help the body digest food.
Erlotinib	A targeted therapy drug approved in 2005 by the FDA to treat advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. It inhibits the growth of cancerous cells by blocking the human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) 1 on the surface of some cancer cells.
Etoposide (VP-16)	A chemotherapy drug used to treat PNET
Everolimus (Afinitor)	A targeted therapy drug approved in 2011 by the FDA to treat advanced PNETs. It inhibits the growth of cancer cells by blocking the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) protein. It may also stop the formation of blood vessels that provide nutrients and oxygen to the tumor.
Exclusion criteria	A set of standards used to determine who is and who is not eligible to participate in a clinical trial.
Exocrine gland	An organ that secretes chemicals through ducts into the body. The exocrine gland of the pancreas makes three types of enzymes that help digest food. Lipase helps break down fats, amylase helps break down carbohydrates and protease helps break down proteins.
Experimental treatment	A drug, medical device or combination of treatments being tested in humans for use in a specific disease or disorder. An experimental treatment for pancreatic cancer may or may not already have FDA approval to treat another disease or condition. Also called an investigational treatment/therapy.
External beam radiation therapy	Radiation therapy delivered by a machine from outside of the body. The machine directs radiation through the skin to the tumor or the area where the tumor was surgically removed.
Familial	A trait that is common within a family who is genetically related. This trait may be caused by genetic or environmental factors, or both.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)	A law passed in 1993 that protects an individual’s job standing and benefits during unpaid leave of up to 12 weeks during any 12-month period. These 12 weeks can be used consecutively or broken up into months, weeks or days.
Fibrosing colonopathy	Rare condition that causes the colon (the final part of the digestive system, where nutrients are absorbed before a bowel movement) to scar, swell and become less effective at absorbing nutrients.
First-line treatment/therapy	The first type of treatment given for a condition or disease.
FOLFIRINOX	A combination of three chemotherapy drugs (5-FU/leucovorin, irinotecan and oxaliplatin) which is commonly used as a standard option in the treatment of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Patients treated with FOLFIRINOX may experience more severe side effects than those treated with Gemzar® (gemcitabine) alone, so this combination is usually given to patients who are healthy enough to tolerate the potential side effects.
Follow-up	The monitoring of a person’s health over time after treatment has ended.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)	A United States government agency that promotes and protects public health by ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medical treatments and devices.
Gallbladder	A small organ located below the liver. It stores bile made by the liver.
Gallstone	A solid build-up that forms in the common bile duct or the gallbladder. Gallstones are usually made of cholesterol and other substances found in the gallbladder. One large stone or many little ones may form.
Gastrin	The major hormone that controls acid released in the stomach.
Gastrointestinal	A term describing any body part related to the digestive tract. These organs and structures process and prepare food to be used for energy.
Gastroparesis/Delayed gastric emptying	A condition where the stomach cannot empty food into the small intestine properly. This condition is not caused by a blockage.
Gemcitabine (Gemzar®)	A chemotherapy drug approved by the U.S. FDA in 1996 as a standard of care treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Genetic	A term that refers to a trait that is transferred from one generation to the next through genes.
Genetic Counselor	A health professional with a graduate degree in medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors work with families who may be at risk for inherited conditions. They help families understand their risk for diseases based on genes.
Genetic testing	Analysis of a person’s tissue, usually saliva or blood, that tests for inherited mutations. This can be done for people with pancreatic cancer or their family members. Information learned from genetic testing can help indicate treatment options for patients, as well as inform family members of the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Gland	An organ that produces and releases one or more substances.The pancreas is both an endocrine gland and an exocrine gland.
Glucagon	A hormone made by the islet cells of the pancreas.Glucagon increases the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Glucose	A simple sugar that provides a major energy source for the body. Carbohydrates are broken down to form glucose for use by the body.
Glucose intolerance	A condition marked by elevated blood glucose levels. Symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination and fatigue.
Hereditary	A trait that is inherited through genes passed from one generation to the next.
Home Care	The most common type of hospice care in which the hospice staff visits the private home to assess the patient’s condition and manage symptoms. Most of the patient’s day-today care is provided by a family member or close friend.
Hormone	A chemical made by a gland. Hormones travel through the blood and influence how cells or organs in a different part of the body act.
Hospice	A healthcare model that focuses on quality of life during the last months, days and hours of life. Hospice care begins when life expectancy is no longer than six months and there is no further benefit from curative treatments. Most hospice care is provided in the home with a family member or close friend assuming the role of primary caregiver.
Hospice Team	A group of health professionals who work with the caregivers to provide care for a person at the end of their life. The health professionals on the hospice team include the hospice doctor, registered nurse, home health aides/certified nursing assistants, social worker, chaplain, volunteers and bereavement counselor.
Immunotherapy	A type of treatment that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer. Immunotherapies may also control side effects from other cancer treatments.
Inclusion Criteria	A set of standards used to select participants who are eligible to participate in a clinical trial.
Informed Consent	A process by which a person learns key facts about a clinical trial, including potential risks and benefits, before deciding whether or not to participate. The informed consent process continues throughout the trial.
Inherited/Germline mutation	A change in genetic information that is passed down from parents to biological children.
Inpatient hospice care	A type of hospice care that is delivered in healthcare facilities, such as a hospice facility, hospital or nursing home. It is used when pain and other symptoms cannot be addressed at home.
Insoluble Fiber	A tough, indigestible fiber that does not dissolve readily in water. Food sources include fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, legumes and whole grains. Possible health effects of consuming insoluble fiber include softened stools, regulation of bowel movements and lowered blood cholesterol.
Instititional Review Board (IRB)	An independent committee made up of scientists, doctors, advocates and community members. The committee meets to review and monitor a hospital or research institution’s clinical trials. These committees ensure that trial participants are exposed to the minimum possible risks and that the risks associated with the trial are reasonable in relation to the expected benefits. Any institution that conducts clinical trials is required to have the trials reviewed and approved by its IRB before participants can enroll.
Insulin	A hormone made by the islet cells of the pancreas. Insulin decreases the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Integrative medicine	A coordinated approach using both conventional and complementary medicine for treatment, typically done through the same treatment center or system. To be considered integrative medicine, the approach must have shown to be effective and safe in clinical trials when combined with conventional medicine.
Intravenous (IV)	Injection of a liquid directly into a vein.
Islet cell	A pancreatic cell that produces hormones and secretes them into the bloodstream.
Jaundice	A yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes and mucous membranes caused by abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the blood. In the case of pancreatic cancer, most jaundice is caused by obstruction of the bile duct.
Jejunostomy Tube (j-tube)	A feeding tube inserted through the abdomen into the small intestine, bypassing the stomach. Special liquid food is given to the patient through the j-tube. Pancreatic enzymes may be added to the liquid to aid in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients.
Lactase	The enzyme necessary to break down the sugar lactose.
Lactose	The natural sugar found in milk and milk products.
Lactose Intolerance	A condition in which the body’s digestive system is unable to completely metabolize lactose. It is often caused by insufficient amounts of lactase.
Lipase	An enzyme secreted by the pancreas that breaks down fats.
Liver	A large, glandular organ located in the upper abdomen. It cleanses the blood and helps digest food by secreting bile.
Lymph nodes	Small organs that filter harmful substances in the body. They contain immune cells that fight infections and other diseases. Lymph nodes are part of the lymph system, which is formed by the tissues and organs that produce, store and carry white blood cells that fight infections and diseases. This system includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels.
Maintenance therapy	Therapy indicated for patients whose cancer is not progressing, or remains stable. It may pertain to patients who have undergone successful surgery to remove pancreatic cancer, or patients with advanced pancreatic cancer that has remained stable for a certain amount of time.
Malabsorption	A condition where the body is unable to absorb the nutrients it needs from food. This is usually due to digestive difficulties.
Malignant	A term used to describe a tumor that is cancerous.
Medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil	Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil: An easily absorbed form of fat added to medical nutritional products to increase caloric intake.
Melanoma	The most serious form of skin cancer. It involves the cells that produce the skin pigment called melanin.
Metabolism (metabolize)	All the chemical reactions occurring in the body that are necessary to maintain life.The human body metabolizes (breaks down and rebuilds) nutrients from food for use within the cells.
Metastasis (metastasize)	The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.
Mutation	A change in the DNA of a cell. Certain mutationscan lead to cancer. Mutations can be inherited or can happen over time.
NALIRIFOX	A combination of three chemotherapy drugs(liposomal irinotecan (Nal-IRI or Onivyde®), 5 fluorouracil(5-FU)/leucovorin and oxaliplatin as a first-line treatment formetastatic pancreatic cancer.
National Alliance for Care at Home (NACH)	National organization that offers resources and information on how to access hospice and palliative care services on its website, https://allianceforcareathome.org/.
Nausea	A feeling of sickness in the stomach that prompts the urge to vomit.
Neoadjuvant therapy	A treatment that is given before surgery. Neoadjuvant therapy includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy.
Neoplasm	A new, abnormal mass of cells. A group of these cells is called a tumor. A tumor can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Obese	The state of having too much body fat. Adults with a body mass index of 30 or over are considered obese.
Off-label	Treatments that are FDA approved to treat another cancer, but are not approved for pancreatic cancer. Since these treatments have shown some promise in pancreatic cancer in prior or existing clinical trials and already have FDA approval for another cancer, they can be prescribed by the doctor when appropriate.
Pain journal	A detailed record of the different aspects of pain, including when it occurred, what caused the pain (if anything), how the pain feels (for example dull, achy, sharp, radiating), and other information that may be helpful to bring up during conversation with a doctor.
Pain specialist	A healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of pain. Anesthesiologists, neurologists and neurosurgeons frequently specialize in pain management. Some physiatrists also specialize in pain management.
Pancreas	A long, irregularly shaped gland located behind the stomach. It produces enzymes that help with digestion and secretes hormones that control the levels of sugar in the blood.
Pancreatectomy	The surgical removal of part, or all, of the pancreas.
Pancreatic duct	The main exocrine duct of the pancreas. Pancreatic enzymes from smaller ducts empty into the pancreatic duct, join the common bile duct and enter the upper part of the small intestine.
Pancreatic enzymes	The proteins made by the pancreas that aid in food digestion. The three types are amylase, lipase and protease. Together these enzymes are commonly referred to as pancreatic juice.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs or PNETs)	Rare tumors that account for around 8%* of all pancreatic tumors. These tumors develop from the abnormal growth of endocrine (hormone-producing) cells in the pancreas called islet cells.
Pancreatic polypeptide (PP)	A hormone produced in the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar, digestion, appetite and production of pancreatic juice. Doctors can monitor the levels of this hormone in the blood to check for problems in the pancreas.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy	See Whipple procedure.
Pancreatitis	The inflammation of the pancreas. Pain is the primary symptom.
Papillary	A descriptive term that refers to a finger-like projection.
Paracentesis	A surgical procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen.
Parathyroid glands	A group of small endocrine glands in the neck, behind the thyroid gland. These glands help control calcium levels in the blood.
Pathologist	A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope. The pathologist plays an important role in providing an accurate diagnosis of the disease.
Performance level/status	A measure of how well a person is able to perform ordinary tasks and carry out daily activities.
Peritoneum	A thin membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen.
Personal care	A type of caregiving that involves assisting a person with activities of daily living including eating, dressing, bathing, grooming, using the toilet and other needs.
Placebo	A substance containing no active medication that is used as a control in a clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of the drug being studied. In cancer treatment clinical trials, placebos (“sugar pills” or inactive medication) are never used in place of the best-known standard treatment.
Platinol AQ® (cisplatin)	A chemotherapy drug used to treat PNETs.
Portal vein	A large vein that carries blood from the spleen,stomach, pancreas and intestines to the liver.
Practical care	A type of hospice care provided by housekeepers, social workers and volunteers. Practical care covers everything from insurance and other financial matters to routine chores.
Precision medicine	A field in cancer treatment that focuses on identifying specific treatments that may be more beneficial for an individual patient, based on their tumor’s biology and inherited mutations. It includes genetic testing or biomarker testing of tumor tissue.
Primary caregiver	See Caregiver.
Primary tumor	The original tumor. In pancreatic cancer, the primary tumor is in the pancreas.
Prognosis	An educated prediction by a healthcare provider for how a disease may impact a person in the future, based on many factors, including ability to perform personal tasks, symptom burden, disease stage and more.
Protease	An enzyme secreted by the pancreas that breaks down proteins.
Protein	A nutrient found in foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, peanut butter, nuts, dried beans, milk, cheese, yogurt and soy products. The body uses proteins to build muscles and make natural hormones and steroids.
Protocol	An action plan that contains all the guidelines that must be followed within a particular clinical trial, including the number of participants, eligibility requirements, what treatments are provided and how often, and how and what information will be gathered. Clinical trial protocols are carefully designed to protect participants and answer specific research questions.
Pulmonary embolism	A life-threatening condition where a clot, or fragment of a clot, breaks loose and travels in the bloodstream, blocking arteries in the lungs. This causes damage, shortness of breath and chest pain. Pulmonary embolisms require immediate medical attention.
Radiologist	A doctor who diagnoses and treats diseases using medical imaging procedures.
Radiation Therapy	A type of local cancer treatment that uses powerful, high energy beams to kill cancer cells.
Randomize	The random or chance assignment of clinical trial participants into different treatment groups; neither the researchers nor the participants can choose which group individuals are placed in. Randomization ensures that groups will be statistically similar so the treatments delivered can be compared objectively and without bias.
Recurrence	The reappearance of the cancer after a period of time when it was undetectable. Recurrence can appear in the same place as the primary tumor or in another part of the body.
Referring order	A referral made by the patient’s physician certifying that life expectancy is six months or less if the pancreatic cancer runs its likely course.
Refined/simple carbohydrates	Forms of sugar that have little or no nutritional elements such as vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber from the original plant products. Refined/simple carbohydrates include table sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar/turbinado, molasses, confectioners/powdered sugar, high fructose corn syrup and honey. Concentrated refined/simple carbohydrates are generally found in desserts and sweet beverages.
Resectable	Able to be removed by surgery.
Respite care	A part of hospice care that provides the primary caregiver a short break from caregiving duties while the patient stays at home or in a hospital facility.
Risk factor	A characteristic or behavior associated with a higher chance of developing a disease. It is not necessarily the cause of the disease.
Scientific validity	An objective index by which the accuracy of a test or procedure is measured.
Secondary tumor	A cancerous tumor that has spread from where it started (the primary tumor) to another place in the body. This is why secondary tumors are still considered pancreatic cancer even though they are not in the pancreas.
Seizure	A sudden movement of muscles that cannot be controlled.
Side Effect	An undesired effect of a treatment.
Simethicone	A medication used for the removal of excess gas in the intestinal tract. It helps the air in the stomach to be more readily expelled by burping or passing gas. The drug does not prevent the accumulation of gas created by intestinal bacteria or from swallowed air. It does not make intestinal gases dissolve.
Sleep hygiene	A term that describes when a person follows healthy sleep habits. These practices help people improve the quality and duration of sleep.
Small intestine	The tube-shaped portion of the digestive (gastrointestinal) system, located between the stomach and the large intestine. Most nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through the small intestine.
Social worker	A professional who is trained to assist and counsel patients and families. Most hospitals and cancer centers have specific oncology social workers. The role of the social worker is to provide resources regarding treatment, support groups, financial resources, end-of-life care, transportation assistance or home care.
Soluble fiberleen	A digestible fiber that dissolves readily in water. Food sources include fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, oats, barley and rye. Additionally, over-the-counter products that contain soluble fiber are available. Possible health effects of consuming soluble fiber include lowered blood cholesterol, slowed glucose absorption, slowing transit time of food through the upper gastrointestinal tract and bulking of stool.
Spleen	An organ in the upper left side of the abdomen that filters the blood. It is located near the tail of the pancreas.
Squamous cell	A cell that flattens out as it grows. This type of cell usually lines the inside of ducts in human organs.
Stage	A measure of how far the cancer has grown using size of the tumor, lymph node involvement and locations to which it has spread. Stages range from I to IV, with I describing the earliest form of cancer.
Standard of care/Standard treatment	The treatment that is widely used in the medical community for a given stage of disease. All patients on clinical trials will receive either the experimental treatment or the best-known standard treatment.
Stent	A small metal or plastic tube inserted into the center of a vein, artery or duct in order to open a blocked passageway.
Streptozocin	A chemotherapy drug used to treat PNETs.
Sunitinib (Sutent®)	A targeted therapy drug approved in 2011 by the FDA to treat advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. It may help slow or prevent cancer cells from multiplying and dividing. It may also slow the formation of blood vessels that provide nutrients and oxygen to the tumor.
Superior mesenteric artery	A major artery arising from the largest artery in the body, the aorta. The superior mesenteric artery is located near the pancreas and supplies blood to the small intestines, colon and part of the pancreas.
Superior mesenteric vein	A major vein located behind the neck of the pancreas.
Supportive (palliative) care	An approach to care of serious illnesses focused on prevention, treatment or elimination of symptoms, regardless of prognosis. In cancer treatment, supportive care can include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, if the intent is to alleviate pain and discomfort rather than fight the cancer.
Survivor	A term used to describe any person who has been diagnosed with cancer, no matter how long it has been since the diagnosis. Definitions vary throughout the cancer community and are best defined by the individual.
Survivor’s guilt	The feeling of guilt for surviving an event that others may not.
Symptom	A sign that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms for pancreatic cancer include jaundice, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and pain.
Targeted Therapy	A type of treatment that attacks unique aspects of cancer cells with little harm to healthy cells.
Temodar® (temozolomide)	A chemotherapy drug used to treat PNETs. It is often paired with Xeloda® for PNETs.
Thrush	A fungal infection that causes white patches in the mouth and on the tongue. These patches may bleed when scraped or during tooth brushing. Thrush is common in adults with weakened immune systems or as a side effect of chemotherapy.
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)	A method of giving a specialized form of food through a vein.
Toxicity	Side effects of a drug or treatment.
Uncinate process	The portion of the pancreas that folds backward and underneath the pancreas head.
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGI)	A procedure that uses an endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) to see the inside of the upper gastrointestinal track, which includes the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine (duodenum).
Vitamin	A nutrient essential in small amounts to help the body’s metabolic reactions occur properly.
Washout period	A period of time before a clinical trial starts to allow for previous drugs to leave the body, so there are no interactions between the previous treatment and the experimental treatment
Whipple procedure	The surgical removal of the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, the duodenum, surrounding lymph nodes and sometimes a small portion of the lower stomach called the pylorus.
Xeloda® (capecitabine)	A chemotherapy drug used to treat PNETs and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), usually in combination with other approved drugs.

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