fibrocystic disease of the pancreas
A child with fibrocystic disease of the pancreas receives respiratory therapy.
Noun: A serious, inherited genetic disorder that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system, including the pancreas. It causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the airways and the ducts of organs like the pancreas and intestines. This leads to severe respiratory and digestive problems. It is the most common fatal genetic disease among people of Caucasian descent.
This is a formal medical term. It is synonymous with and more commonly known as cystic fibrosis (CF). * The diagnosis of fibrocystic disease of the pancreas requires specialized genetic and sweat testing. * Advances in treatment have significantly improved the life expectancy for individuals with fibrocystic disease of the pancreas.
- The term is often used in historical medical literature. In contemporary clinical and common usage, "cystic fibrosis" is overwhelmingly preferred.
- It may be abbreviated in medical notes as FCP, though CF is the standard abbreviation.
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF): The modern and primary term for this condition.
- Mucoviscidosis: Another, less common, synonym used primarily in medical contexts in some European languages.
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
- Mucoviscidosis
This term refers specifically to the genetic condition cystic fibrosis. It should not be confused with other types of fibrocystic diseases, such as fibrocystic breast changes, which are unrelated. The name highlights the pancreatic involvement (fibrosis and cyst formation), though the disease is systemic.
A child with fibrocystic disease of the pancreas receives respiratory therapy.
- the most common congenital disease; the child's lungs and intestines and pancreas become clogged with thick mucus; caused by defect in a single gene; no cure is known