CT SCAN:
CT stands for Computed Tomography. It enables the radiologist to view images of the appropriate anatomical area in detail by scanning slices of the body.
To help provide the best diagnostic information, the patient may be asked to take a contrast agent either orally or intravenously. This allows the technicians to highlight the important organs under examination to aid accurate diagnosis.

CHEMOTHERAPY:
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer. The drugs often are called "anticancer" drugs.

COLONOSCOPY:
With the patient awake but sedated, a flexible endoscope is inserted per rectum and advanced through the various portions of the lower GI tract. Important anatomic landmarks are identified and mucosal surfaces are examined for ulcerations, polyps, friable areas, hemorrhagic sites, neoplasms, strictures, etc. Minor operative procedures may then be performed utilizing the standard colonoscope with appropriate accessories.

FLEXIBLE SIGMOIDOSCOPY:
Procedure commonly includes direct examination of the rectum, sigmoid colon, and proximal portions of the colon (60 cm) by means of a flexible fiberoptic endoscope. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is readily performed in a physician's office with minimal bowel preparation. In comparison with other endoscopic procedures, flexible sigmoidoscopy allows visualization of more proximal colonic segments than either anoscopy or rigid proctosigmoidoscopy, but is more limited than colonoscopy.

ONCOLOGIST:
A medical doctor that specializes in the treatment of cancer.

RAYNAUD'S PHENOMENON:
Raynaud's phenomenon is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. This disorder is characterized by episodic attacks, called vasospastic attacks, that cause the blood vessels in the digits (fingers and toes) to constrict (narrow). Although estimates vary, recent surveys show that Raynaud's phenomenon may affect 5 to 10 percent of the general population in the United States. Women are more likely than men to have the disorder. Raynaud's phenomenon appears to be more common in people who live in colder climates. However, people with the disorder who live in milder climates may have more attacks during periods of colder weather.
Reduced Blood Supply to the Extremities: When a person is exposed to cold, the body's normal response is to slow the loss of heat and preserve its core temperature. To maintain this temperature, the blood vessels that control blood flow to the skin surface move blood from arteries near the surface to veins deeper in the body. For people who have Raynaud's phenomenon, this normal body response is intensified by the sudden spasmodic contractions of the small blood vessels (arterioles) that supply blood to the fingers and toes. The arteries of the fingers and toes may also collapse. As a result, the blood supply to the extremities is greatly decreased, causing a reaction that includes skin discoloration and other changes.
Changes in Skin Color and Sensation: Once the attack begins, a person may experience three phases of skin color changes (white, blue, and red) in the fingers or toes. The order of the changes of color is not the same for all people, and not everyone has all three colors. Pallor (whiteness) may occur in response to spasm of the arterioles and the resulting collapse of the digital arteries. Cyanosis (blueness) may appear because the fingers or toes are not getting enough oxygen-rich blood. The fingers or toes may also feel cold and numb. Finally, as the arterioles dilate (relax) and blood returns to the digits, rubor (redness) may occur. As the attack ends, throbbing and tingling may occur in the fingers and toes. An attack can last from less than a minute to several hours.

The National Raynaud's Association

SJOGREN'S SYNDROME:
Sjogren's (pronounced "show-grins") syndrome is an autoimmune disease, characterized by the abnormal production of extra antibodies in the blood that are directed against various tissues of the body. This particular autoimmune illness is caused by inflammation in the glands of the body. Inflammation of the glands that produce tears (lacrimal glands) leads to decreased water production for tears and eye dryness. Inflammation of the glands that produce the saliva in the mouth (salivary glands, including the parotid glands) leads to mouth dryness.
Sjogren's syndrome that involves the gland inflammation (resulting in dryness of the eyes and mouth, etc.), but not associated with a connective tissue disease, is referred to as primary Sjogren's syndrome. Secondary Sjogren's syndrome involves not only gland inflammation, but is associated with a connective tissue disease, such as lupus.

Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation

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