Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

cancer, pancreatic
A malignant tumor of the
pancreas. Pancreatic cancer has been called a
“silent” disease because early pancreatic cancer
usually does not cause symptoms. If the tumor
blocks the common bile duct, and bile cannot pass
into the digestive system, the skin and whites of the
eyes may become yellow (jaundiced), and the urine
may become darker as a result of accumulated bile
pigment (bilirubin).
cancer, penis
A malignant tumor in which can-
cer cells develop in the tissues of the penis. It is rare
in the US. A physician should be consulted for
growths or sores on the penis, any unusual dis-
charge from the penis, or bleeding. If warranted, a
biopsy is performed. If cancer is found, more tests
are done to find out whether the cancer has spread
to other parts of the body (staging). Treatment
options include surgery, radiation therapy,
chemotherapy, and biological therapy. The chance
of recovery and choice of treatment depend on the
stage of the cancer and the patient’s general state of
health. Men who are not circumcised at birth may
have a higher risk of getting cancer of the penis.
cancer, prostate
A malignant tumor of the
prostate, the gland that produces some of the com-
ponents of semen. Prostate cancer is the second
leading cause of death of males in the US. It is often
first detected as a hard nodule found during a rou-
tine rectal examination. The PSA blood test is a
screening test for prostate cancer. Diagnosis of
prostate cancer is established when cancer cells are
identified in prostate tissue obtained via biopsy. In
some patients, prostate cancer is life threatening. In
many others, prostate cancer can exist for years
without causing any health problems. Treatment
options for prostate cancer include observation,
radiation therapy, surgery, hormone therapy, and
chemotherapy.
cancer, rectal
A malignant tumor arising from
the inner wall of the end of the large intestine (rec-
tum). In the US, it is the third leading cause of can-
cer in males and the fourth in females. Risk factors
include heredity, colon polyps, and long-standing
ulcerative colitis. Most rectal cancers develop from
polyps in the colon. Removal of these polyps can
prevent cancer. Colon polyps and early rectal can-
cer can have no symptoms, so regular screening is
important. Diagnosis can be made by barium enema
or by colonoscopy, with biopsy confirmation of can-
cer tissue. Surgery is the most common treatment.