A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

adenocarcinoma - a cancer that develops in the lining or inner surface of an organ.

adjuvant treatment - treatment that is added to other therapies to increase effectiveness.

androgen (AN-dro-jen) - a group name for the male sex hormones. The main androgen hormone is testosterone.

angiogenesis - the formation of new blood vessels.

angiogenesis inhibitors - a chemical which signals the process of angiogenesis to stop.

antiandrogen - a drug that blocks the activity of androgens.

antigen - a protein marker on the surface of cells that identifies the cell.

anus - the opening at the lower end of the rectum through which solid waste is eliminated.

apex - the tip of the prostate, farthest away from the bladder..

B

benign (buh-NINE) - a tumor that does not normally threaten life or spread to other parts of the body. Compare to "malignant."

benign prostatic hypertrophy (Also called BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia.) (buh-NINE pros-TAT-IC high-PER-tro-fee) - a tumor frequently found in older men that grows inside the prostate and can interfere with the flow of urine. BPH is not malignant and is not the same as prostate cancer. A man can have one or the other or both simultaneously.

Benign tumor - an abnormal growth that is not cancer and does not spread to other areas of the body.

biopsy (BUY-op-see) - a test in which a small sample of tissue is removed from an organ such as the prostate and examined under the microscopy for signs of cancer.

bone scan - a nuclear medicine technique which examines the skeleton looking for changes that might indicate metastatic disease.

brachytherapy (BRAKE-ee-therapy) - a type of radiation therapy in which the radiation source is implanted within the body. The type of brachytherapy used for prostate cancer is often referred to as "seeds."

C

CAM (Complementary & Alternative Medicine) - Nonconventional approaches to healing, beyond tradition medicine. Complementary medicine is any form of therapy used in combination with other alternative treatments or standard/conventional medicine. Alternative medicine is used alone, without recommended standard treatment.

cancer - a tumor with abnormal cells that grow and divide out of control.

capsule - the layer of cells around an organ such as the prostate.

carcinoma - cancer that begins in the tissues that line or cover an organ.

cells - the basic structural and functional units of the body.

chemotherapy - treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells.

clinical trials - studies conducted on patients with cancer or other diseases. Each study is designed to answer specific questions and find better ways to treat patients.

computed tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.

cryosurgery or cryoprostatectomy - freezing of the prostate through the use of liquid nitrogen probes guided by transrectal ultrasound of the prostate.

cystoscopy (Also called cystourethroscopy.) (sis-TOSS-scope-ee) - examination of the bladder by insertion of an instrument, the cystoscope, through the urethra.

D

diagnosis (dy-ag-NO-sis) - determination of the cause or existence of a disease.

digital rectal examination (DRE) (DIH-jih-tul) - an examination in which a physician inserts a gloved, lubricated finger (or digit) into the rectum to feel the prostate.

E

ejaculate (ee-JACK-you-late) - to eject sperm and seminal fluid.

erectile dysfunction (Also called impotence.) - the inability to achieve an erection, and/or dissatisfaction with the size, rigidity, and/or duration of erections.

external beam radiation therapy - radiation therapy that uses rays from a machine directed at parts of the body. Compare "brachytherapy."

external urethral sphincter muscle - a voluntary and involuntary ring-like band of muscle fibers that you voluntarily contract when you want to stop urinating.

expectant management or therapy - "watchful waiting" or close monitoring of prostate cancer by a physician instead of immediate treatment.

F

false negative report - a negative result when in reality it is positive in nature.

false positive report - a positive result when in reality it is negative in nature.

familial - a clustering of disease in a family, with no specific inheritance pattern, but more cases than chance alone would predict.

fine needle aspiration - the use of a thin, hollow needle to withdraw tissue from the body. In the case of suspected prostate cancer it may be used in conjunction with transrectal ultrasound of the prostate.

Foley catheter (FOLE-ee-CATH-uh-ter) - A tube inserted into the bladder through the urethra to drain urine into a collecting bag.

G

genetics - the study of how traits and disease are inherited from one generation to the next.

Gleason score - A standard way to grade the results of a biopsy for prostate cancer. The higher the number (from 2 to 10), the more abnormal the cells and the greater the chance of rapid growth.

grading - a diagnostic process done in the lab with cells taken from the prostate to measure how aggressive the tumor is. The cancer cells are measured by how closely they look like normal cells.

H

hormone therapy - in prostate cancer, therapy that interferes with the production or activity of male hormones that promote prostate tumor growth.

I

impotence (Also called erectile dysfunction.) (IM-po-tens) - inability to have an erection.

incision (in-SIH-jun) - cutting the skin at the beginning of an operation.

incontinence (in-KON-tuh-nens) - loss of urinary control.

internal radiation therapy - therapy using radioactive pellets or "seeds." See "brachytherapy."

investigational new drug - a drug allowed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in clinical trials, but not approved for sale to the general public.

J

K

Kegel exercises - Repeatedly tightening and releasing the pelvic muscle, in order to prevent urine leakage.

L

laparoscopic lymphadenectomy - the removal of pelvic lymph nodes with a laparoscope.

LHRH analogues (AN-uh-logs) - man-made compounds that are similar to natural LHRH.

luteinizing hormone (LH) (LO-tee-in-i-zing) - a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland near the brain which stimulates the secretion of sex hormones in both men and women.

luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) - this hormone is secreted as part of the brain. It causes the pituitary gland to secrete LH and FSH.

lymph (limf) - clear fluid that bathes cells in the body. Lymph is returned to the blood through the lymphatic system. When a scrape on your skin "weeps," it weeps lymph.

lymph nodes - small bean-shaped structures scattered along the vessels of the lymphatic system. They filter out bacteria and other particles. If cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes, it is a sign that the cancer has spread or metastasized.

lymphadenectomy - a procedure in which lymph nodes are taken from the body for purposes of diagnosing or staging cancer.

lymphangiogram - an x-ray that uses a special dye to determine whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

M

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.

malignant (muh-LIG-nant) - a tumor that grown in an uncontrolled manner allowing it to spread and threaten a person's life. Compare to "benign."

metastasis - the spread of cancer from its original site to distant areas via the blood and lymph.

microscopic - small enough to be visible only with the aid of a microscope.

N

nerve sparing technique - a surgical technique during a radial prostatectomy where one or both of the neurovascular bundles controlling erections are spared.

O

oncologist (on-COLL-o-gist) - a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer.

orchiectomy (Also called castration.) (or-key-EK-toe-me) - surgical removal of the testicles.

organ - a group of cells and tissues that work together for a specific function such as bladder, heart or kidney.

overflow incontinence - leakage of urine that occurs when the quantity of urine produced exceeds the bladder's capacity to hold it.

P

palliative treatment - therapy that relieves symptoms, such as pain, but does not alter the course of the disease. Its primary purpose is to improve the quality of life.

pathologist (pah-THAL-o-gist) - a doctor who specializes in diagnosing disease by studying cells and tissues with a microscope.

pelvic node dissection - lymph nodes near the prostate are removed to determine if cancer has spread.

perineal prostatectomy (pair-uh-NEE-ul pross-tah-TEK-toe-me) - an operation to remove the prostate gland through a cut made between the anus and the sack holding the testicles. Compare "retropubic prostatectomy."

poorly differentiated - cells which have changed or mutated so much that they are hardly recognizable as coming from their original organ or tissue. Poorly differentiated tumors tend to be more aggressive.

positive margin - when a pathologist finds cancer cells at the cut edge or margin of an organ removed during surgery); the specimen is said to have a positive margin. This is an indication that cancer may have been left behind after surgery:

prognosis (prog-NO-sis) - the long-term outlook of the disease.

prognosis - a prediction of the course of the disease; the future prospects for the patient.

prostatalgia - pain in the prostate gland.

prostate - a sex gland in men. It is about the size of a walnut, and surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. It is partly muscular and partly glandular, with ducts opening into the prostatic portion of the urethra. It is made up of three lobes: a center lobe with one lobe on each side.

prostate acid phosphatase (PAP) - an enzyme produced by the prostate that is elevated in some patients when prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate.

prostatectomy - surgical procedure for the partial or complete removal of the prostate.

prostate-specific antigen (PSA) - a protein made only by the prostate. Some of the PSA leaks into the blood, and analyzing the blood for PSA gives a measure of the activity of the gland itself or of prostate tissue that has metastasized or spread to other areas of the body.

prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test - a blood test used to help detect prostate cancer by measuring a substance called prostate-specific antigen produced by the prostate.

prostatectomy (pross-tah-TEC-toe-me) - surgical removal of the prostate gland.

prostatism - any condition of the prostate that causes interference with the flow of urine from the bladder.

prostatitis - an inflamed condition of the prostate gland that may be accompanied by discomfort, pain, frequent urination, infrequent urination, and, sometimes, fever.

Q

R

radiation therapy (ray-dee-AY-shun) - treatment with high energy rays such as x-rays or gamma rays.

radical prostatectomy (RAD-uh-kull pross-tah-TEC-toe-me) - removal of the prostate and surrounding tissues and structures to eliminate cancer. Radical prostatectomy can be either retropubic or perineal.

rectum - the last 5 or 6 inches of the intestine leading to the anus.

remission - disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer. This can be permanent or temporary.

retropubic prostatectomy (reh-tro-PYOO-bik pros-tah-TEC-toe-me) - an operation to remove the prostate through a cut made in the lower abdomen.

S

scrotum (SCROW-tum) - the sack that holds the testicles.

seminal vesicles (SEM-uh-null VESS-i-kells) - pouches inside the body above the prostate that store semen. The seminal vesicles are usually removed along with the prostate.

sphincter (SFINK-ter) - a muscular ring that can open and close around a tube such as the urethra. Damage to the sphincters that control urination can cause incontinence.

sporadic - occurring by chance; a family history with only one affected individual at an older age of onset (not genetic).

stage - a way of describing the size and spread of a cancer. Doctors use several staging systems for prostate cancer including the A-B-C-D system and the T-M-N system.

stress incontinence - the most common type of incontinence that involves the leakage of urine during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects, or other body movements that put pressure on the bladder.

T

testicles (TES-ti-kuls) - two egg-shaped glands located in the scrotum that produce sperm and male sex hormones.

testosterone (tes-TOSS-ter-own) - a male sex hormone produced primarily by the testicles.

tissue - a group of cells with a specific form or function such as muscle, hair, or fat.

transrectal ultrasonography (trans-REK-tul ul-tra-son-OG-rah-fee) - a test which uses sound waves from a probe inserted into the rectum to make a picture of the prostate. Often used to guide the taking of biopsy specimens.

transurethral surgery - surgery in which no external incision is needed. For prostate transurethral surgery, the surgeon reaches the prostate by inserting an instrument through the urethra. See below for different types of transurethral surgery.

transurethral hyperthermia - an investigative procedure that uses heat, usually provided by microwaves, to shrink the prostate.

transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) - a procedure that widens the urethra by making some small cuts in the bladder neck, where the urethra joins the bladder, and in the prostate gland itself.

transurethral laser incision of the prostate (TULIP) - the use of laser through the urethra that melts the tissue.

transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) - a surgical procedure by which portions of the prostate gland are removed through the penis.

tumor (TOO-mur) - an excessive growth of cells. Tumors can be "benign" or "malignant."

U

ultrasound (Also called sonography.) - a diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasounds are used to view internal organs as they function, and to assess blood flow through various vessels.

ureter (YUR-e-ter) - the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.

urethra (you-REETH-rah) - the tube that runs through the penis to the outside of the body. It carries urine from the bladder and semen from the sex glands.

urge incontinence - the inability to hold urine long enough to reach a restroom. It is often found in people who have conditions such as diabetes, stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, but may be an indication of other diseases or conditions that would also warrant medical attention.

urinalysis - laboratory examination of urine for various cells and chemicals, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, infection, or excessive protein.

urinary incontinence - the loss of bladder control.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) - an infection that occurs in the urinary tract; often caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli. A urinary tract infection often causes frequent urination, pain, and burning when urinating, and blood in the urine.

urine flow study - a test in which the patient urinates into a special device that measures how quickly the urine is flowing. A reduced flow may suggest benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).

urologist (you-RAHL-o-gist) - a doctor who specializes in disease of the male sex organs and in the urinary organs of both sexes.

urology - the branch of medicine concerned with the urinary tract in both genders, and with the genital tract or reproductive system in the male.

urogenital - refers to the urinary and reproductive systems.

V

W

watchful waiting - when prostate cancer is managed through regular digital rectal examinations and blood tests.

X

Y

Z