Glossary
Our extensive collection of web-based and other resources for patients, families, and caregivers provides easy access to information on a wide variety of subjects related to pancreatic cancer.
There are currently 28 Terms in this directory beginning with the letter S.
Shave biopsy
Surgery to remove a thin tissue sample from the top of a tumor to test for cancer cells.
Signs
Any objective evidence of a disease, for example, evidence perceptible to the examining physician. (See also Symptoms.)
Somatuline Depot (lanreotide acetate)
One of the approved drugs for treating symptoms of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Sonogram
A computer picture of areas inside the body, created by sound waves bounced off tissues and organs.
Spleen
An organ located on the left side of the abdomen, near the stomach, that is part of the lymphatic system; it produces white blood cells, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old blood cells.
Splenic artery
The blood vessel that brings oxygenated blood to the spleen. It branches from the celiac artery.
Stage
In cancer, the stage denotes the extent of the disease, especially whether it has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
Staging cancer
A standardized way to classify a tumor based on its size, whether it has spread, and where it has spread; staging measures the extent of the disease.
Steatorrhea
Excessive amounts of fat in the stool. Sometimes this can appear as an oil slick on top of the toilet water after the patient has had a bowel movement.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)
Multiple beams of high-dose radiation focused on a specified location in the body. The technique enables the radiation oncologist to kill cancer cells and limit the exposure of healthy tissue to radiation.
Stroma
A kind of framework, made up of connective tissue, that provides support, structure, and anchoring for organs.
Sunitinib malate (Sutent)
One of the approved chemotherapy drugs for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, it is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with potential anticancer activity.
Superior mesenteric artery
A major blood vessel for the intestines, colon, duodenum, and part of the pancreas. It branches off of the abdominal aorta.
Superior mesenteric vein
The blood vessel that drains the small intestine. Its endpoint is behind the head of the pancreas.
Supportive care
In patients with cancer, use of medications to prevent or counteract unwanted side effects of cancer or its treatment to improve quality of life.