Glossary T

Template measuring your stoma size
If you are unsure of your stoma size try using the measuring guide this is usually provided with your pouch or bag supplies.

Here's how:-  
• If you haven't seen one before it usually has measured openings or slots of different sizes place the guide over your stoma ensuring a snug fit and take a measurement.
• There should be a gap of 1mm to 2mm around your stoma.
• Over time, your stoma may change shape or size, so periodic measurements may be required to ensure that you have the snug fit required from your pouch or bag to prevent leakage.
• Do not choose a size that is too tight as this may cause irritation and soreness at your stoma site

Toilets - The National Key Scheme - RADAR key
One of the most important items to have with you when you are out and about in the UK is the RADAR key. This key gains you entrance to many public disabled toilets, giving you privacy, running water and disposal bins for your used pouches. For more information go to Find information - Special services.

Transverse colon
Passes waste across the abdomen (transversing the body from the right side to the left) where it turns downward on the left side and forms the descending colon.

Travel with a stoma
Having a colostomy should not prevent you from travelling at home or abroad, the only difference is that you need to plan ahead. Here's a checklist that to help get you organised (you can find out more from our booklet - Travel Advice):-

• Make sure your hotel accommodation has en-suite facilities
• Make sure your travel documents are in order
• Check with the airline whether you can take extra hand luggage for your essential medical supplies - the take all supplies and travel kit with you and DON'T LET GO OF IT!
• Note and take all your appliance details, names and codes, contact details of your supplier - remember that the same products you use at home may note be available abroad.

This type of appliance comes in two pieces, a flange or base-plate, and a separate  collection pouch/bag that clips onto the flange giving a 'tupperware-like' seal. The flange adheres to the body and can remain in place for two to four days, which is kinder to the skin. Flanges are available to fit a variety of pouch or bag sizes, and they are trimmed to match the shape of an indivdual stoma - various types of flange are available. More recently this system has been updated and has lead to the development of coupling systems which rely on adhesive, this stick on system may be easier to use for some ostomates.

This is an abnormal mass of tissue. Tumors are a classic sign of inflammation, and can be benign or malignant (cancerous). There are dozens of different types of tumors. Their names usually reflect the kind of tissue they arise in, and may also tell you something about their shape or how they grow. Tumor marker tests and imaging may be used; some tumors can be seen (for example, tumors on the exterior of the skin) or felt (palpated with the hands).

Treatment is also specific to the location and type of the tumor. Benign tumors can sometimes simply be ignored, or they may be reduced in size (debulked) or removed entirely via surgery. For cancerous tumors, options include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.