Glossary
AFP stands for alpha-fetoprotein which is a biomarker often associated with progression of liver cancer as well as some other cancers.
Albumin is a serum protein that is mostly produced by the liver. Decreases in albumin levels can be an indication of advanced liver disease.
ALT stands for alanine amino-transferase which is an enzyme found in high concentrations in the liver. Elevated ALT can be an indication of toxic hepatitis. The AST/ALT ratio is sometimes used in the differential diagnosis of liver disease (see AST below).
An Artery is any blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body.
AST stands for aspartate amino-transferase which is an enzyme found in high concentrations in the liver. ALT (see above) elevated along with AST is an indication of viral hepatitis or drug-induced liver damage. AST elevation in the absence of a change in ALT is an indication of active cirrhosis of the liver or metastatic tumor to the liver, among other possibilities.
Bilirubin is the major pigment of bile and is removed from the blood by the liver. Serum bilirubin levels rise when the liver is unable to conjugate and excrete it. Rises in serum bilirubin levels are an indication of liver disease.
A Catheter is a flexible tube used to deliver or withdraw fluids from the body.
Downstaging is a situation in which a patient with a previously unresectable tumor or large number of tumors is now eligible for surgery or liver transplant following treatment.
The Femoral Artery is the chief artery of the thigh supplying blood to the groin and lower extremities.
Fluoroscopy is an x-ray procedure that takes continuous pictures to evaluate moving structures within the body.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (or Primary Liver Cancer) is a type of liver cancer which has started in the liver.
A Humanitarian Use Device (HUD) is a medical device that is available in the United States on the basis of established safety coupled with probable benefit.
An Infiltrative Tumor is a type of tumor that has extensively invaded surrounding normal tissue so that it is no longer present in a discrete, encapsulated form.
A Metastasis is a tumour resulting from the migration of tumour cells from the primary tumour.
A Micrometer is a unit of measure-ment of length. One micrometer is equal to one millionth of a meter (approximately one 25 thousandth of an inch).
Portal Vein Thrombosis (PVT) is a blockage, by a blood clot, of the portal vein, which brings blood to the liver.
TheraSphere is a liver cancer treatment that is comprised of microscopic glass beads containing radioactive Yttrium-90.
TheraSphere Package Insert is a document which fully describes the TheraSphere product, its indication, contraindications, precautions/warnings, adverse events and other important product related information. The TheraSphere Package Insert for your region can be found on the package insert page.
TheraSphere User Instructions is a document which fully describes the TheraSphere product, its indication, contraindications, precautions/warnings, adverse events and other important product related information. The TheraSphere User Instructions for your region can be found on the package insert page.
ULN is an abbreviation of Upper Limit of Normal and indicates the maximum value of a test result above which the result is considered elevated.
Yttrium-90 is a radioactive isotope that emits energy in the form of beta radiation as it decays to stable Zirconium-90.
Zirconium-90 is a stable element that is produced from the decay of Yttrium-90.
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