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E
Eczema
A skin irritation or inflammation characterized by either dry or
wet sore areas, and often accompanied by burning or itching.
Edema
Swelling due to an accumulation of fluid in body tissues, often
a result of some hormonal therapies. Also
see in Resources -> Lymphedema.
Effusion
An accumulation of fluid in the body cavities, with metastatic breast
cancer most commonly manifested by apleural effusion, where fluid
accumulates in the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs. This can
be relieved by thoracentesis where the fluid is drained through
a hollow needle, and biopsied for evidence of malignant cells.
Erythrocytes
See red
blood cells.
Erythropoietin
Epogen, Procrit. A growth factor that promotes
the red blood cell count and reduces the need for transfusions.
Estrogens
A type of human of hormone that promotes and regulates female sex
characteristics.
Estrogen
Dependent
A tumor that grows, or grows more rapidly, in
the presence of estrogen. This is considered a positive indicator,
since it permits hormonal treatment for control of the tumor, increasing
options for treatment.
Estrogen
Receptor Positive (or Negative)
This is often written as ER+ or ER- and is a
measure of the degree to which a given tumor is dependent upon estrogen
for its growth, measured by an Estrogen receptor assay (ERA). The
number of hormone receptors on the tumor are measured to determine
this. See also progesterone receptors.
Estrogen
Receptor Test
Test on breast tissue to determine if a tumor is Estrogen
Receptor Positive (or Negative).
Extravasation
The leakage of a drug administered intravenously
into the tissue outside the vein.
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