Hepatocellular Carcinoma is the most common primary cancer that starts in the liver. It arises from hepatocytes, the main liver cells responsible for metabolism and bile production. It is most often discussed in the setting of chronic liver disease, especially cirrhosis. Clinicians use the term in screening, diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning in hepatology and oncology.
Esophageal Cancer is a malignant tumor that arises in the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. It is most often discussed in gastroenterology, oncology, pathology, and GI surgery. Clinically, it refers to both the diagnosis and the disease process that can narrow the swallowing passage. It is commonly evaluated with endoscopy, imaging, and biopsy.
Gastric Carcinoma is a malignant tumor that arises from the lining of the stomach. In everyday terms, it is “stomach cancer” that starts in the stomach’s inner mucosa. It is most commonly used as a diagnosis in pathology reports, endoscopy findings, and oncology staging. Clinicians use the term to guide evaluation, staging, and treatment planning.
Early Satiety means feeling full sooner than expected when eating a meal. It is a symptom description, not a diagnosis. Clinicians commonly use it in gastroenterology to evaluate upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. It is also used to describe appetite-limiting fullness that can contribute to reduced intake and weight change.
Anorexia means a decreased desire to eat or a loss of appetite. It is a symptom rather than a diagnosis by itself. Clinicians use the term across many specialties, including gastroenterology and hepatology. It is also used in psychiatry, where it may relate to eating disorders, but it is not synonymous with them.
BMI is a numeric estimate of body size based on weight and height. It stands for body mass index and is calculated as weight divided by height squared. BMI is commonly used in clinics, hospitals, and public health to classify weight status. In gastroenterology and hepatology, it often helps contextualize risk, symptoms, and outcomes.
Cachexia is a complex wasting syndrome marked by ongoing loss of skeletal muscle, often with loss of fat mass. It is commonly seen in chronic illnesses such as cancer, advanced liver disease, chronic heart failure, and chronic inflammatory disorders. In gastroenterology and hepatology, Cachexia often overlaps with poor intake, malabsorption, and inflammation. Clinicians use the term to describe a specific pattern of weight and muscle loss that is not fully explained by reduced calories alone.
Malnutrition is a health state in which nutrient intake or nutrient utilization does not meet the body’s needs. It can involve too little energy or protein, too few vitamins or minerals, or an imbalance between needs and intake. Clinicians use the term in hospitals, clinics, and surgery settings to describe nutrition-related risk and impaired recovery. In gastroenterology and hepatology, it often reflects problems with eating, digestion, absorption, or chronic inflammation.
TPN stands for total parenteral nutrition. It is a way to deliver complete nutrition directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. TPN is commonly used in hospitals and sometimes at home when the gut cannot safely absorb enough nutrients.
Parenteral Nutrition is a way to deliver nutrients directly into the bloodstream. It bypasses the stomach and intestines when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract cannot be used safely or effectively. It is commonly used in hospitalized patients with intestinal failure or severe malabsorption. Some patients also receive Parenteral Nutrition at home with long-term venous access and monitoring.