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Abdomen
The part of the body below the chest and above the hips. |
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AbdominoPerineal Resection/Excision (APR/APE)
A surgical procedure that removes the rectum (last part of the large bowel) and anus (back passage). Two incisions are made – one in the abdomen and one around the anus. The surgeon will remove the diseased area of bowel and anus and make a colostomy. |
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Adenocarcinoma
Cancers that begin in cells that line certain internal organs and that have glandular (secretor) properties. |
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Adhesions
Scar tissue that binds connecting surfaces; often causes complications, such as pain, constipation and sometimes obstruction (blockage) in a post-surgical patient. |
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Adjuvant Therapy
Medical treatment provided to a patient in addition to surgery to aid in the killing of cancer cells; adjuvant (meaning one that helps) chemotherapy and radiation therapy are both used in colorectal cancer treatment in an effort to eliminate all cancerous cells from the body. |
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Allergy
A negative response to a substance. In ostomy care, a person may be allergic to some part of the pouching system, such as the tape. However, allergies are fairly uncommon and there may be other reasons for a reaction to a material. |
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Alopecia
Loss of hair or baldness. |
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Anus
External opening of the digestive system. Sometimes referred to as the 'back passage'. |
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Barium X-Ray
Practice of using the metal barium in liquid form, in combination with x-rays, to create a picture of the intestines. |
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Benign
Not cancerous. Benign tumors do not spread to tissue around them or to other parts of the body (i.e. not malignant). |
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Bowel Obstruction
Blockage or clogging of the intestine. Symptoms include swelling, bloating, nausea, vomiting and lack of drainage from the stoma. If you develop this you should seek medical attention quickly. |
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BRAT Diet
Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast diet; this combination of foods can sometimes be used to stop or slow down diarrhea. |
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CAT Scan
A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. These pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called Computerized Axial Tomography, Computed Tomography (CT scan), or Computerized Tomography. |
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Chemotherapy
Treatment that involves the use of prescription drugs. It may be specific to a type of disease such as cancer chemotherapy. These drugs may influence the output from the stoma. |
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Colon
Another term for the large intestine. |
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Colonoscope
A flexible, elongated tube that can be inserted through the anus allowing the inside of the colon to be seen. |
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Colonoscopy
Visual examination of the inner surface of the colon by means of a colonoscope. |
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Colon Conduit
This is a specific type of urinary diversion. A segment of colon (large intestine) is used as a pipeline (conduit) to divert urine. The urine flows from the kidneys, down the ureters, through the conduit and out the stoma. The conduit is not a reservoir for urine. The output from the stoma is urine and mucous. The bladder may be bypassed or removed. |
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Colostomy
A surgically created opening into the large intestine or colon. |
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Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. It is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation and swelling of the digestive tract and can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. |
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Dehydration
The loss of body moisture. This can occur if you have vomiting, diarrhea or low fluid intake. |
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Diarrhea Medication
A drug used to help combat diarrhea. The medication may result in decreased frequency or a thicker output. This medication can be obtained over-the-counter at a pharmacy or prescribed by a doctor. |
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Discharge
A generic term to refer to the output from a stoma. May be urine or stool. |
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Drainage
Another generic term to refer to the output from a stoma. May be urine or stool. |
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Electrolyte
Any of various ions, such as sodium, potassium or chloride required by cells to regulate the electric charge and flow of water across the cell membranes. Some people call them 'salts'. |
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Erythema
Redness of the skin. |
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Feces
The matter discharged from the bowel during bowel movements consisting mostly of the waste material from food. |
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Fistula
A fistula is an abnormal connection or passageway between two organs or vessels that normally do not connect. |
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5-FU
A drug that is used in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites. Also called fluorouracil. |
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Gluten
Wheat gum; the protein part of wheat and some other grains. |
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Healthcare Professional
Generic term to describe a variety of people involved in health care
Doctor, Stoma Care Nurse and Pharmacist — to name just a few. |
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Ileal Conduit
This is a specific type of urinary diversion. A segment of ileum (small intestine) is used as a pipeline (conduit) to divert urine. The urine flows from the kidneys, down the ureters, through the conduit and out the stoma. The conduit is not a reservoir for urine. The output from the stoma is urine and mucous. The bladder may be bypassed or removed. Often referred to as a urostomy. |
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Ileostomy
A surgically created opening through the abdomen that leads into the small intestine- the portion known as the ileum. |
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Ileum
The last section of the small intestine before it connects to the colon. |
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Incision Line
Location where an incision (cut made in the skin) was made during an operation. In ostomy surgery, it may be on the abdomen, around the base of the stoma or in the perineum. |
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Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a condition that results in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. The symptoms vary from case to case and even in the same individual. People may experience mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or intense pain in the bladder and pelvic area. Symptoms may include an urgent need to urinate (urgency), a frequent need to urinate (frequency), or a combination of these symptoms. |
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Irritation
Any inflammation or soreness. In ostomy care, it usually refers to the skin. A skin irritation may be seen as skin that is reddened, open, and/or moist. |
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Large Intestine
The last part of the digestive tract. It is divided into the cecum, colon and rectum, and is concerned especially with the re-absorption of water, and the formation and collection of feces. |
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Low Anterior Resection (LAR)
A surgical procedure used to remove the cancerous tissue in colorectal cancer. |
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Lymph Nodes
Structures throughout the body that are part of the immune system that helps fight off disease. |
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Medical Oncologist
Medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer. |
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Mucous
A viscous suspension that is normally secreted by the body. Mucous in the bowel helps with lubrication. May be seen in the discharge of a colostomy or urostomy and gives the stoma a shiny appearance. |
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Mucous Fistula
The mucous fistula can be the second of two stomas in a double barrel ostomy, or the second opening in a single loop ostomy stoma. While it is a non-working stoma, it may discharge some mucous. |
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MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging – specialized way to look at the organs of the body using magnetic energy and a computer. |
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Nausea
A symptom resulting from the inclination to vomit. |
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Ostomy
A surgically created opening into the gastrointestinal (bowel) or urinary system. This is a general term and is sometimes used interchangeably with the word stoma, which is a Greek word for mouth or opening. |
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Pancaking
This occurs with a colostomy where the stool does not drop into the pouch after coming out from the stoma. It can make an unsightly bulge in the pouch and block the filter. It can make drainable pouches difficult to empty. Sometimes diet, medications or specific accessories such as a lubricating deodorant may help. |
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Pelvic Exenteration
Surgical removal of all of the organs of the pelvis. Performed to treat cancers of the rectum or other pelvic organs. |
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Pelvis
The area of the body surrounded by the hips. Includes the bladder, prostate, uterus and other organs. |
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Peristomal Skin
This refers to the skin immediately around the stoma. Usually the adhesive of the pouching system covers the peristomal skin. |
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Polyp
Mass of tissue that bulges or projects outward or upward from the surface. |
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Polypectomy
Surgical removal of a polyp. |
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Radiation Oncologist
A doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer using radiation. |
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Radiation Therapist
A person who assists the radiation oncologist and who usually delivers the daily radiation treatments. |
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Radiation Therapy
Treatment that involves the use of therapeutic radiation. Usually used specifically in the treatment of cancer. This treatment may influence the output from the stoma, the condition of the skin and the surface of the stoma. |
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Rectum
The last part of the large intestine leading to the anus (external opening of the digestive system). |
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Sexual Dysfunction
Abnormal functioning of the sexual organs, or difficulty engaging in sexual activity. |
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Sigmoid Colon
This is the last portion of the large bowel just before the rectum. |
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Sigmoidoscopy
Inspection through a fiber-optic scope of the inside of the sigmoid colon, which is part of the large intestine that empties into the rectum. |
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Sphincter
Refers to a muscle that surrounds and closes an opening. When a stoma is created, the sphincter that allows for control of output is bypassed. A stoma does not have a sphincter. |
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Stoma
A surgically created opening into the gastrointestinal (bowel) or urinary system. This is a general term and is sometimes used interchangeably with the word ostomy. The stoma is red, moist and is not painful. |
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Stoma Care Nurse
This is a specialized nurse with specific education in ostomy care. The title can vary by country. Sometimes known as a WOC (Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse), ET (EnteroStomal Therapist), STN (Stomal Therapy Nurse) or SCN (Stoma Care Nurse). |
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Stool
Term used to define waste material from the bowel. Also known as feces. |
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Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the rectum and colon. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon, then bleed and produce pus. Inflammation in the colon also causes the colon to empty frequently, causing diarrhea. |
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Urinary Tract infection (UTI)
An infection that typically involves the kidneys or bladder. Some warning signs of a urinary tract infection include dark cloudy urine, strong smelling urine, back pain, fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. If you have any of these symptoms and have a urostomy, it would be best to seek medical attention quickly. |
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Urologist
A physician who specializes in urinary or urogenital tract diseases and disorders. |
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Urostomy
A surgically created opening (usually on the abdomen) that allows urine to flow out of the body. A urostomy may sometimes be called a urinary diversion or ileal conduit. |
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