| Bone
scan:
Pictures of the bones that can show areas of rapid growth
that may be a sign of cancer. To create these pictures,
a radioactive substance is injected into the bloodstream.
The substance collects in any areas of rapid growth.
A scanner can pinpoint these areas.
Brachytherapy:
The implantation of radioactive seeds or pellets which
emit low energy radiation in order to kill surrounding
tissue
Cancer:
A general term for more than 100 diseases in which abnormal
cells multiply without control. Center cells can spread
through the bloodstream and lymphatics to other parts
of the body.
Carcinoma:
Cancer that begins in the lining or covering of an organ.
Chemotherapy:
Treatment with anti-cancer drugs.
Clinical trials:
Studies conducted with cancer patients, usually to evaluate
a promising new treatment. Each study is designed to
answer questions to find better ways to treat patients.
CT or CAT scan:
A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body
produced by a computer linked to a x-ray machine. Also
called computed tomography scan or computed axial tomography
scan.
Differentiation:
The use of the differences between prostate cancer cells
when seen under the microscope as a method to grade
the severity of the disease
Digital rectal examination:
The use by a physician of a lubricated and gloved finger
inserted into the rectum to feel for abnormalities of
the prostate and rectum
Doubling time:
The time that it takes a particular focus of cancer
to double in size
Downsizing:
The use of hormonal or other forms of management to
reduce the volume of prostate cancer in and/or around
the prostate prior to attempted curative treatment
Downstaging:
The use of hormonal or other forms of management in
the attempt to lower the clinical stage of prostate
cancer prior to attempted curative treatment (e.g.,
from stage T3a to stage T2b); this technique is highly
controversial.
Dysuria:
Urination which is problematic or painful.
Estrogen:
A female sex hormone.
Flutamide:
An antiandrogen used in the palliative hormonal treatment
of advanced prostate cancer and sometimes in the adjuvant
and neoadjuvant hormonal treatment of earlier stage
of prostate cancer.
Frequency:
The need to urinate often.
Genitorurinary system:
The parts of the body that play a role in reproduction,
in getting rid of waste products in the form of urine,
or in both.
Hormone:
A chemical substance that is formed in one part of the
body, travels through the blood, and affects that function
of cells elsewhere in the body.
Hormone therapy:
Treatment that prevents cancer cells from getting the
hormones they need to grow. Hormone therapy for prostate
cancer keeps the cancer cells from getting male hormones.
Treatment may involve removing the testicles or giving
female hormones or other drugs to prevent the production
of male hormones or to block their effect on cancer
cells.
Impotence:
Inability to have an erection.
Incision:
A cut made during surgery.
Incontinence:
Inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder.
Intravenous pyelogram:
X-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder taken after
a dye is injected into a vein. Also called IVP.
Kegel exercises:
A set of exercises designed to improve the strength
of the muscles used in urinating
Local therapy:
Treatment that affects a tumor and the tissue near it.
Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)
agonist:
A substance that closely resembles LHRH, which controls
the production of sec hormones. However, LHRH agonists
affect the body differently than dose LHRH. LHRH agonists
keep the testicles from producing hormones.
Lymph:
The almost colorless fluid that travels through the
lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infection.
Lymph nodes:
Small, bean-shaped organs located along the channel
of the lymphatic system. The lymph nodes store special
cells that can trap bacteria or cancer cells traveling
through the body in lymph. Also called lymph glands.
Lymphatic system:
The tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry
cells that fight infection and disease. This system
includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes,
and channels that carry lymph.
MRI:
A procedure in which a magnet linked to a computer is
used to create pictures of areas inside the body. Also
called magnetic resonance imaging.
Malignant:
Cancerous; can spread to other parts of the body.
Metastasis:
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.
Cells in the metastatic (secondary) tumor are like those
in the original (primary) tumor.
Neoadjuvant:
Added before; for example, neoadjuvant hormone therapy
is hormone therapy given prior to another form of treatment
such as a radical prostatectomy
Nerve sparing:
A term used to describe a type of prostatectomy in which
the surgeon saves the nerves that affect sexual and
related functions
Nocturia:
The need to urinate frequently at night
Oncologist:
A doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Some oncologists
specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment.
For example, a radiation oncologist treats cancer with
radiation.
Orchiectomy:
Surgery to remove the testicles.
Pathologist:
A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and
tissues under a microscope.
Pelvic:
Referring to the area of the body located below the
waist and surrounded by the hip and pubic bones.
Perineal prostatectomy:
Surgery to remove the prostate through an incision made
between the scrotum and the anus.
Prognosis:
The probable outcome or course of a disease; the chance
of recovery.
Prostate:
A male sex gland; it produces a fluid that forms part
of semen.
Prostatectomy:
An operation to remove part or the entire prostate.
Prostate-specific antigen:
A protein whose level in the blood goes up in some men
who have prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Also called PSA.
Prostatic acid phosphatase:
An enzyme produced by the prostate. Its level in the
blood goes up in some men who have prostate cancer.
Also called PAP.
Quality of life:
An evaluation of health status relative to the patient's
age, expectations, and physical and mental capabilities
Radiation therapy:
Treatment with high-energy rays from x-rays or other
sources to damage cancer cells. The radiation may come
from a machine (external radiation therapy) or from
radioactive materials placed inside the body as close
as possible to the cancer (internal radiation therapy
or radioactive seed implant).
Radical prostatectomy:
Surgery to remove the entire prostate. The two types
of radical prostatectomy are retropubic prostatectomy
and perineal prostatectomy.
Rectal exam:
A procedure in which a doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated
finger into the rectum and feels the prostate through
the wall of the rectum to check the prostate for hard
or lumpy areas.
Rectum:
The last 5 or 6 inches of the large intestine leading
to the outside of the body.
Remission:
Disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer. When
this happens, the disease is said to be "in remission."
Remission can be temporary or permanent.
Retropubic prostatectomy:
Surgical removal of the prostate through an incision
in the abdomen.
Scrotum:
The external pouch of the skin that contains the testicles.
Semen:
The fluid that is released through the penis during
orgasm. Semen is made of up of sperm from the testicles
and fluid from the prostate and other sex glands.
Staging:
Doing exams or tests to learn the extent of a cancer,
especially whether it has spread from its original site
to other parts of the body.
Systemic therapy:
Treatment that affects cancer cells throughout the body.
Testosterone:
A male sex hormone.
Transurethral resection of the prostate:
The use of an instrument inserted through the penis
to remove tissue from the prostate. Also called TUR
or TURP.
Tumor:
An abnormal mass of tissue.
TURP:
See transurethral resection of the prostate.
Ultrasonography:
A technique that uses sound waves that cannot be heard
by humans to produce pictures of areas inside the body.
The pictures created by a computer that analyses the
echoes produced by the waves as they bounce off tissues.
Urethra:
The tube that carries urine or semen to the outside
of the body.
Urologist:
A doctor who specializes in disease of the urinary organs
in females and the urinary and sex organs in males.
Watchful waiting:
Active observation and regular monitoring of a patient
without actual treatment.
Zolodex:
Hormone used to shrink the prostate.
Glossary is provided courtesy of the Seattle Prostate
Institute, Seattle, WA USA
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