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

Adenocarcinoma:
A cancer that develops in the glandular lining of an organ. More than 95% of prostate cancers areAdenocarcinomas.

Adrenal glands:
Two glands located above the kidneys (one above each kidney). They produce several kinds of hormones, including the sex hormones.

Androgens:
Male sex hormones produced largely by the testicles and, in small amounts, by the adrenal glands.

Anti Androgen:
A drug that blocks the action of male sex hormones. Anus: The opening at the lower end of the rectum through which solid waste is eliminated.

Benign:
Not malignant: does not spread to other parts of the body.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (also known as Benign Prostatic hypertrophy or BPH):
A non-cancerous condition in which an overgrowth of prostate tissue may push against the urethra and the bladder, blocking the flow of urine.

Biological therapy:
Treatment with substances called biological response modifiers that can stimulate the immune system to fight disease more effectively. Also called immunotherapy.

Biopsy:
The removal of tissue samples for examination under a microscope to check for malignant cells.

Bladder:
The hollow organ that stores urine.

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 an array of diseases in which identified malignant cells multiply without control or inhibition. Malignant cells can spread through the bloodstream and/or lymphatics to other parts of the body.

Carcinoma:
Cancer that begins in the lining or covering (also called epithelium) of an organ.

Clinical trials:
Studies conducted with human cancer patients, usually to evaluate a promising new treatment. Each study is designed to answer pre-defined questions to find better ways to treat patients.

CT or CAT scan:
A series of detailed images of areas inside the body produced by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computed tomography scan or computed axial tomography scan.

Differentiation:
The use of the differences between malignant cells when seen under the microscope as a method to grade the severity of the cancer disease

Digital rectal examination (also know as DRE):
The use by a physician of a lubricated and gloved finger inserted into the patient's rectum in order to feel for abnormalities of the prostate and rectum

Doubling time:
The time that it takes a particular focus of cancer mass to double in size

Downsizing:
The use of hormonal or other forms of chemical management to reduce the volume of prostate gland diagnosed with cancer 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:
Painful or problematic urination.

Estrogen:
A female sex hormone.

Fistula:
A fistula is an abnormal connection between an organ or vessel and another organ or vessel. Fistulas are usually the result of trauma or surgery, but can also result from infection or inflammation.

Flutamide:
An anti-androgen family of drugs 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.

Gleason Score:
When prostate cancer is detected, a biopsy will take small samples of tissue from the prostate. A pathologist will evaluate the tissue and assign a Gleason Grade/Score to two separate areas in the samples - ranging from 1 to 5, each. The higher the number (2 -10), the more aggressive is the cancer.

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 the function of cells elsewhere in the body.

Hormone deprivation therapy:
Treatment that prevents cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. Hormone deprivation therapy for prostate cancer keeps the cancer cells from getting the necessary 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.

Urinary 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 immediately near it.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist:
A substance that closely resembles LHRH, which controls the production of sex hormones. However, LHRH agonists affect the body differently than does 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 powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to create images 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 attempts to save the nerves that affect sexual and related functions

Nocturia:
The need to urinate frequently at night

Oncologist:
A doctor who specialises in treating cancer. Some oncologists specialise 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 of, or the entire prostate.

Prostate-specific antigen (also called PSA):
A protein whose level in the blood goes up in men who have prostate cancer, BPH, infection or inflammation. Prostate gland trauma may also elevate PSA levels.

Prostatic acid phosphatase:
An enzyme produced by the prostate. Its level in the blood goes up in some men who have prostate cancer or other prostate specific diseases. 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 ionizing rays from x-rays or other sources in order to specifically 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, also known as Brachytherapy).

Radical prostatectomy:
Surgery to remove the entire prostate. The two types of radical prostatectomy are retropubic prostatectomy and perineal prostatectomy.

Radiotherapist:
A medical specialist that focuses on radiation therapies for treating prostate cancer.

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 sperms from the testicles and fluid from the prostate and other sex glands.

Staging:
Doing clinical 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 (also called TUR or TURP):
The use of an instrument inserted through the penis to remove tissue from the prostate.

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 are 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 specialises 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.