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
Absolute Risk
A person's chance of developing a specific disease over a specified time period. The absolute risk of disease is estimated by looking at a large number of persons similar in some way (in terms of age, for example) and counting the number of people in this group who develop the disease over the specified time period. For instance, if we were to observe 100,000 women between the ages of 20 and 29 for one year, about 4 would develop breast cancer during this period. Therefore, the one-year absolute risk of breast cancer for a 20- to 29-year-old woman is 4 per 100,000 women, or 1 per 25,000 women.
Acupuncture
Use of fine needles inserted at precise points on the body to control pain and other side effects of treatment. It is a type of complementary therapy.
Adjuvant Systemic Therapy
Treatment given in addition to surgery and radiation to treat tumors that may have spread to other sites. These include chemotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy.
Aloe
Usually refers to aloe vera, a plant related to the lily family. Often used to soothe burns and other skin irritations.
Alopecia
Hair loss.
Amenorrhea
The absence or suppression of menstrual periods.
Anesthesia
Loss of feeling or sensation. Local anesthesia may be used for a specific region of the body, such as the breast, by injection of a drug (a local anesthetic) into that area. General anesthesia numbs the entire body and puts a person to sleep with drugs that are injected into a vein or inhaled.
Aneuploid (DNA Ploidy)
The presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in cancer cells.
Angiogenesis
Blood vessel formation, often occurring with the growth of malignant (cancerous) tissue.
Antibody
A protein made by white blood cells that is part of the body’s immune system. Each antibody binds to a certain antigen (foreign substance, such as bacteria) and helps the body fight the antigen.
Antibody Therapy
A specially made antibody that targets cancer cells.
Anti-carcinogen
An agent that counteracts carcinogens (cancer causing agents).
Antiemetic
A medicine that prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting.
Antioxidant
A substance that protects the body from damage by oxidizing agents. Oxidizing agents are always present in the body and are often beneficial. However, when large amounts of oxidants are present in cells they can cause damage, especially to DNA, which can lead to cancerous growth. Antioxidants include beta-carotene and vitamins A, C and E.
Apoptosis
A normal cellular process in which a genetically programmed series of events leads to the death of a cell. Cancer cells may block apoptosis.
Areola
The darkly shaded circle of skin surrounding the nipple.
Aspirate
To remove fluid and a small number of cells.
Atypical Hyperplasia
Overgrowth of mildly abnormal but noncancerous (benign) cells within the breast milk ducts or lobules.
Axilla
The underarm region.
Axillary Dissection (Axillary Sampling)
Surgical procedure to remove some or all of the lymph nodes from the underarm area.
Axillary Lymph Nodes
The lymph nodes under the arm.
Aromatase Inhibitors
Hormone therapy drugs that stop the conversion of certain hormones into estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors are used as a therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor positive tumors.
Ayurveda
A complementary medical system from India that involves diet, exercise, meditation and massage. Ayurveda means "life-knowledge".
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B
Benign
Not cancerous. Does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
Benign Breast Conditions (Benign Breast Disease)
Noncancerous conditions of the breast that can result in lumps or abnormalities on a mammogram. Examples include cysts and fibroadenomas.
Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy
Preventive surgery where both breasts are removed in order to keep cancer from developing.
Biological Therapy
A therapy that targets something specific to the biology of the cancer cell, as opposed to chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly dividing cells. Often used to describe therapies that use the immune system to fight cancer (immunotherapy). Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is an example of a biological therapy agent.
Biopsy
Removal of tissue to be tested for cancer cells.
Bisphosphonates
Drug treatment used to strengthen bones and decrease the rate of fractures and pain in people with metastatic breast cancer.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
A measure used to estimate body fat. BMI takes into account both a person’s height and weight. To calculate your BMI, click here.
Bone Scan
A test done to see whether or not there are any signs of cancer in the bones. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream. It collects in the bones, especially abnormal areas, and is detected by a scanner. Bone scans can show cancer as well as benign bone diseases like arthritis.
Boost
Additional dose of radiation to the part of the breast that had the tumor.
BRCA1/BRCA2 Genes (BReast CAncer genes)
Genes that help limit cell growth. A mutation (change) in one of these genes increases a person’s risk of breast, ovarian, colon and prostate cancer.
Brachytherapy
A procedure that uses targeted radiation therapy from inside the tumor bed.
Breast Cancer
An uncontrolled growth of abnormal breast cells.
Breast Conserving Surgery (Lumpectomy)
Surgery that removes only part of the breast—the part containing and closely surrounding the cancerous tumor.
Breast Density
Relative amounts of fat and tissue in the breasts as seen on a mammogram.
Breast Reconstruction
Surgery to restore the look and feel of the breast after mastectomy.
Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
A method used by women to become familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts.
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C
Cachexia
Loss of appetite and weight.
Calcifications
Deposits of calcium in the breast that appear on a mammogram. Microcalcifications can show precancerous or cancerous cell growth.
Cancer
General name for over 100 diseases in which there is uncontrolled cell growth.
Carcinoma in Situ (in Situ Carcinoma)
Condition where abnormal cells are found in the milk ducts and lobules of the breast but have not spread to the surrounding breast tissue. In situ means "in place".
Case-control Study
An observational study that looks at two groups--one with people who already have the outcome of interest (cases), and one with people who do not (controls). The two groups are then compared to see if any characteristic was more common in the past history of one group compared to the other.
Case Series
A health care provider’s observations of a group of patients who are given a certain type of therapy.
Catheter
A small tube used to deliver fluids to (or remove them from) the body.
Centigray (Centigrays)
One centigray describes the amount of radiation absorbed by the tissues and is equivalent to 1 RAD.
Chemoprevention
A drug or combination of drugs used to lower the risk of or delay the onset or recurrence of cancer.
Chemotherapy
A drug or combination of drugs given in cycles. These drugs kill cancer cells in various ways.
Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)
A physical examination by a health care provider to check the look and feel of the breasts and underarm for any changes or abnormalities.
Clinical Trials
Research studies done with human participants. These studies generally test the benefits of possible new treatments or diagnostic procedures.
Cohort Study
A study that follows a large group of people (a cohort) over time.
Complementary Therapies (Integrated Therapies)
Forms of treatment that are used in addition to standard treatments. These practices are not considered standard medical therapies.
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) Scan (Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan)
Computed tomography scan. A series of pictures created by a computer linked to an X-ray machine. The scan gives detailed internal images of the body.
95% Confidence Interval (95% CI)
A statistical concept that shows that there is a 95 percent probability that the 'true' measure is found within a range of measures computed from a single study. For example, if the 95% confidence interval for a survival rate is 75 to 90 percent, then there is a 95 percent chance that the true survival rate falls between 75 and 90 percent.
Core Needle Biopsy
A needle biopsy that removes pieces of tissue from an abnormal area in the breast.
CT Scan (Computerized Tomography Scan, Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) Scan)
Computed tomography scan. A series of pictures created by a computer linked to an X-ray machine. The scan gives detailed internal images of the body.
Cumulative Risk
The sum of a person's risk for a disease. It may estimate a person’s risk up to a chosen age or have no age limit. For example, the lifetime risk of breast cancer for all ages of women is about 1 in 8 (or about 12 percent). This means that for every 8 women, one (or about 12 percent) will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime (up to any age).
Cyst
A fluid-filled sac.
Cytopathologist
A pathologist who specializes in looking at individual cells. A cytopathologist is needed to interpret the results of fine needle aspiration.
Cytotoxic
Toxic, or deadly, to cells (cell killing). Often used to describe chemotherapy .
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D
Definitive Surgery
When all of the known tumor is removed and no follow-up surgery is needed.
Detoxification
Concept in some special therapies, especially the Gerson diet, to describe a process whereby the body is cleansed of unnatural, unhelpful or unhealthful agents. Often takes the form of enemas.
Diagnosis
Identification of a disease from its signs and symptoms.
Diagnostic Mammogram
A mammogram used to further evaluate a breast problem/symptom or an abnormal finding from a screening mammogram, a clinical breast exam or clinical symptoms. It involves two or more X-ray views per breast.
Diagnostic Radiologist (Radiologist)
A health care provider who specializes in the diagnosis of diseases using X-rays.
Diploid (DNA Ploidy)
The presence of a normal number of chromosomes in cancer cells.
Disease-Free Survival Rate
Percent of people alive and without disease at a certain time (often five years or 10 years) after treatment. Those who die from causes other than the disease under study are not included in this measure.
Distant Recurrence (Distant Metastases)
Return of cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver or bone.
Dose-dense therapy
Chemotherapy given over a shorter (more condensed) time period compared to standard therapy. The frequency of treatment sessions is increased, but the length of the treatment period is shortened.
Doxorubicin
A chemotherapy drug that damages a cancer cell's ability to repair DNA.
Duct (Milk Duct, Mammary Duct)
A pathway in the breast through which milk passes from the lobules to the nipple ( see figure ).
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS, Intraductal Carcinoma)
A non-invasive breast cancer (also called “pre-invasive breast carcinoma” or stage 0 breast cancer) that begins in the milk ducts of the breast.
Ductal Papilloma
A noncancerous breast tumor that begins in the breast duct and usually cannot be felt. Its symptoms include a bloody or clear nipple discharge.
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E
Early Breast Cancer
Cancer that is contained in the breast or has only spread to lymph nodes under the arm. The term often describes stage I and stage II breast cancer.
Edema
Excess fluid in body tissues that causes swelling.
Endocrine Manipulation (Hormone Therapy)
Treatment that works by keeping cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.
Epidemiology
The study of the causes and prevention of disease.
Estradiol
The most biologically active naturally occurring estrogen in women.
Estrogen
A female hormone produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. It is important to reproduction and may stimulate some cancers to grow.
Estrogen Receptors
Specific proteins on breast cells that estrogen hormones attach to. A high number of estrogen receptors often means that a cancer cell needs estrogen to grow.
Excisional Biopsy
Surgical procedure that removes the entire suspicious area (plus some surrounding normal tissue) from the breast.
External Beam Radiation Therapy (Radiation Therapy)
Treatment given by a radiation oncologist using radiation (energy in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves) to kill or damage cancer cells.
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F
False Negative
A test result that incorrectly reports that a person is disease-free when she/he actually has the disease.
False Positive
A test result that incorrectly reports that a person has a disease when she/he does not have the disease.
Fat Necrosis
A noncancerous breast change in which the breast responds to trauma with a firm, irregular mass, often years after the event. The mass is the result of fatty tissue dying, after either surgery or blunt trauma to the breast. This breast change does not increase risk of breast cancer.
Fibroadenoma
A benign (noncancerous) fibrous tumor that may occur at any age but is more common in young adulthood.
Fibrocystic Condition (Fibrocystic Changes)
A general term used to describe a benign (noncancerous) breast condition that may cause painful cysts or lumpy breasts. Also called benign breast disease.
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA, Fine Needle Biopsy)
Biopsy procedure that uses a thin, hollow needle to remove a sample of cells from the abnormal area of the breast.
First-degree Relative (Immediate Family Member)
A person’s mother, father, sister, brother or child.
First-line Therapy
The initial (first) therapy used in a person’s cancer treatment
Flow Cytometry
A laboratory test done on tumor tissue to measure the growth rate of the cancer cells and to check if the cells have too much DNA.
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)
A laboratory test done on breast tumor tissue to find out the number of copies of the HER2/neu gene in the cancer cells.
Frozen Section
Process where a portion of tissue from a surgical biopsy is frozen so that a thin slice can be analyzed to see if it is cancerous or not. Frozen section results are only preliminary and always need to be confirmed by other methods.
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G
Gail Model
A tool that uses personal and family history to estimate a woman’s risk of invasive breast cancer.
Galactocele
A milk-filled cyst.
Genes
The part of a cell that contains DNA. The DNA information in a person's genes is inherited from both sides of a person’s family.
Gene Mutation
A 'mistake' or 'alteration' of the information contained in a gene.
General Practitioner/Internist (Physician)
The personal or family physician who may first find a suspicious area in the breast through a clinical breast exam or mammogram.
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H
HER2/neu (erbB2)
Protein that appears in high numbers on the surface of the breast cancer cells of about 20 percent of people with breast cancer. Tumors with high levels of HER2/neu are effective targets for the targeted therapy drug, trastuzumab (Herceptin).
Herceptin (Trastuzumab)
Brand name for the drug trastuzumab. Trastuzumab is a specially made antibody that targets cancer cells that have high numbers of a protein called HER2/neu on their surfaces. When attached to the HER2/neu protein, trastuzumab slows or stops the growth of the cancer cells. Trastuzumab is used to treat HER2/neu-positive breast cancer.
Hormones
Chemicals made by certain glands and tissues in the body, often in response to signals from the pituitary gland or the adrenal gland. Hormones have specific effects on specific target organs and tissues. Examples include estrogen and progesterone. Hormones can also be made in a laboratory.
Hormone Receptors
Specific proteins on breast cells that hormones attach to. A high number of hormone receptors often means that a cancer cell needs the hormone to grow.
Hormone-Receptor Status
Shows whether or not a breast cancer needs hormones to grow. A hormone-receptor positive cancer needs hormones to grow. A hormone-receptor negative cancer does not need hormones to grow. See Hormone Receptor.
Hormone Therapy (Endocrine Therapy)
Treatment that works by keeping cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.
Hyperplasia (Usual and Atypical Hyperplasia)
A proliferative breast condition where breast cells are multiplying (proliferating). Although non-cancerous, it increases the risk of breast cancer. In usual hyperplasia, the proliferating cells look normal under a microscope. In atypical hyperplasia, the proliferating cells appear abnormal.
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I
Immediate Family Member (First-degree Relative)
A person’s mother, father, sister, brother or child.
Immunotherapy
Therapies that use the immune system to fight cancer (immunotherapy). These therapies target something specific to the biology of the cancer cell, as opposed to chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly dividing cells. See Biological Therapy .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
A laboratory test done on tumor tissue to detect the amount of a certain genetic protein in the cancer calls.
Implant (Breast Implant)
An "envelope" containing silicone, saline or both, that is used to restore breast form after a mastectomy.
Incidence
The number of new cases of a disease that develop in a specific time period.
Incisional Biopsy
Surgical biopsy that removes only part of the tumor.
Indemnity Policy
Prepayment insurance plan that gives services or cash payment for medical care needed in times of illness or disability.
Induction Chemotherapy (Primary Chemotherapy, Preoperative Chemotherapy or Neoadjuvant Therapy)
Chemotherapy used as a first treatment, often used for large or advanced cancers to shrink tumors before surgery.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
A rare and aggressive form of invasive breast cancer. Its main symptoms are swelling (inflammation) and redness of the breast. The skin on the breast may look dimpled, like the skin of an orange, and may be warm to the touch.
Informed Consent
The process through which a person learns about the possible benefits and side effects of a treatment plan and then accepts or declines the treatment. The person is usually asked to sign a consent document, and may decide to stop the treatment at any time and receive other medical care.
In Situ Carcinoma (Carcinoma in Situ)
Condition where abnormal cells are found in the milk ducts or lobules of the breast but have not spread to the surrounding breast tissue. In situ means "in place".
Integrated Therapy (Complementary Therapies)
Forms of treatment that are used in addition to standard treatments. These practices are not considered standard medical therapies.
Intraductal
Within the milk duct. Intraductal can describe a benign or cancerous (malignant) process.
Intraductal Hyperplasia
An excess of cells growing within the breast's milk ducts.
Intravenous
Being within or entering the body by way of the veins.
Invasive Cancer
Cancer that has spread from the original location into the surrounding breast tissue and possibly into the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
Investigational New Drug (New Experimental Treatment)
A chemical or biological drug that has been approved for use by clinical researchers in studies but is not yet available outside of a clinical trial.
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L
Lactation
The process of producing milk and breastfeeding a child.
Large Veins (Deep Veins)
The large veins deep inside the legs that carry blood from the legs back to the heart.
Lesions
Area of abnormal tissue.
Linear Accelerator
The device used during radiation therapy to direct X-rays into the body.
Liver Scan
An image of the liver that can show the presence or absence of a tumor.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS, Lobular Neoplasia in Situ)
A type of carcinoma in situ where the cells begin in the lobules of the breast.
Lobular Neoplasia in Situ (Lobular Carcinoma in Situ)
A type of carcinoma in situ where the cells begin in the lobules of the breast.
Lobules
Ball-shaped sacs in the breast that produce milk.
Local Anesthetic
Anesthesia that only numbs the tissue in a certain area.
Local Treatment
Treatment that focuses on getting rid of the cancer from a certain (local) area. In breast cancer, this would be the breast, the chest wall and lymph nodes in the armpit (axillary nodes).
Localized Breast Cancer
Cancer that is contained in the breast and has not spread to surrounding tissue, lymph nodes or other organs.
Locally Advanced Breast Cancer (Stage III Breast Cancer)
Cancer that has spread beyond the breast to the skin or chest wall, but not to distant organs like the lungs or liver. It also refers to a tumor that is > 5 cm (about 2 inches) in size.
Lump
Any mass in the breast or elsewhere in the body.
Lumpectomy (Breast Conserving Surgery)
Surgery that removes only part of the breast—the part containing and closely surrounding the cancerous tumor.
Lymphatic System
The network of lymph nodes and vessels in the body.
Lymphedema
Swelling due to poor draining of lymph fluid that can occur after surgery to remove lymph nodes or after radiation therapy to the area. Most often occurs in the upper limbs (arm, hands, fingers), but can occur in other parts of the body.
Lymph Nodes (Lymph Glands)
Small groups of immune cells that act as filters for the lymphatic system. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the underarms, groin, neck, chest and abdomen.
Lymph Node Status
Shows whether or not cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Lymph node-positive means that cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Lymph node-negative means that cancer has NOT spread to the lymph nodes. See Lymph Nodes .
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M
Macrobiotics (Macrobiotic Diet)
Complementary dietary therapy that includes a mostly vegetarian, organic food diet with certain methods of food preparation.
Malignant
Cancerous.
Mammary Duct (Milk Duct, Duct)
A pathway in the breast through which milk passes from the lobules to the nipple (see figure).
Mammary Duct Ectasia
A noncancerous breast condition resulting from the inflammation (swelling) and enlargement of the ducts behind the nipple. Women often do not have any symptoms, however, calcifications seen on a mammogram may point to its presence. No treatment is necessary if the woman is not having any symptoms (burning, pain or itching in the nipple area).
Mammary Glands
The breast glands that produce milk.
Mammogram
An X-ray of the breast.
Margins
The area of normal tissue around a tumor after it has been surgically removed. A margin is clean (also known as uninvolved or negative) if there is only normal tissue (and no cancer cells) at the edges. Clean margins show the entire tumor was removed. With involved (also known as positive) margins, normal tissue does not completely surround the tumor, and therefore the entire tumor was not removed.
Mastectomy
Surgical removal of the breast. The exact procedure depends on the diagnosis. See Total Mastectomy and Modifed Radical Mastectomy .
Mastitis
An inflammation (swelling) of the breast usually occurring during lactation (breastfeeding). Symptoms include pain, nipple discharge, fever and redness and/or hardness over an area of the breast.
Mean
The average of a group of numbers.
Mean Survival Time
A statistical term that shows the average time from the start of treatment (or diagnosis) that people in a study stay alive.
Median
The middle value of a group of numbers.
Medical Oncologist
A physician specializing in the treatment of cancer using chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy.
Melatonin
Hormone made by the pineal gland in the brain. It is an important part of the body's internal timing system.
Menarche
The first menstrual period.
Menopause
The ending of the normal menstrual cycle in women. It occurs most often in the late forties or early fifties.
Meta-analysis
A method for taking the results reported in a group of studies and 'averaging' them to come up with a single, summary result.
Metabolized
The chemical process whereby drugs and food are broken down by the body.
Metastases
Spread of cancer to other organs through the lymphatic and/or circulatory system.
Microcalcifications
Small, clustered deposits of calcium in the breast, which may be seen on a mammogram. These may or may not be related to breast cancer. About 20 to 25 percent are associated with breast cancer.
Modified Radical Mastectomy
Surgical removal of the breast, the lining of the chest muscles and some of the lymph nodes in the armpit. Used to treat early and locally advanced breast cancer.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Immune proteins that can locate and bind to cancer cells. They can be used alone or they can be used to deliver drugs, toxins or radioactive material directly to tumor cells. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is an example of a monoclonal antibody used to treat breast cancer.
Mortality Rate
Number of deaths in a given group of people over a certain period of time.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
An imaging technique that uses a magnet linked to a computer to make detailed pictures of organs or soft tissues in the body.
Multifocal Tumors
One or more tumors that develop from the original breast tumor.
Multimodality Therapy
Use of two or more treatment methods (i.e., surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy) in combination or one after the other to get the best results.
Mutation (Gene Mutation)
A 'mistake' or 'alteration' of the information contained in a gene.
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N
Needle Localization (Wire Localization)
Insertion of a very thin wire into an abnormal area of the breast to highlight the location of a nonpalpable lesion so that it can be removed during biopsy or lumpectomy.
Neoadjuvant Therapy (Induction Chemotherapy, Primary Chemotherapy or Preoperative Chemotherapy)
Chemotherapy or hormone therapy used as a first treatment. Often used for large or advanced cancers to shrink tumors before surgery.
Neoplasia
Abnormal growth.
Neoplasm
Excess number of cells in a mass that can be either benign or malignant.
Nested Case-control Study
A case-control study done within a prospective cohort study. The major advantage of a nested case-control study over a regular case-control study is that the exposure measures of interest (for example, diet or alcohol use) are measured before any of the participants have disease, making them less subject to bias.
Node-negative
Cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes. See Lymph Node Status.
Node-positive
Cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes. See Lymph Node Status.
Nonpalpable Lesion
Breast lump or abnormality that cannot be felt but that can be seen on an imaging test (such as a mammogram).
Nucleus
The part a cell that contains the genetic material DNA. Nucleui is the plural of nucleus.
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O
Observational Study
A research study where participants live their daily lives as usual and report their activities to researchers.
Odds Ratio
A measure reported in case-control studies that describes the increase (or decrease) in disease risk related to a risk factor. An odds ratio is interpreted in the same way as a relative risk, though it is calculated differently.
Oncologist
The physician who is in charge of planning and overseeing cancer treatment.
Oophorectomy
Surgical removal of the ovaries.
Opiate
A drug used to treat pain that contains opium or a substance made from opium.
Opiod
A drug used to treat pain that does not contain opium or any substances made from opium.
Osteoporosis
A condition marked by a loss of bone mass and density that causes bones to become fragile.
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P
Paget's Disease of the Nipple
A tumor that grows from underneath the nipple and then breaks out onto the surface of the nipple. It may be present with in situ carcinoma or invasive breast cancer.
Palliative Therapy (Palliation)
A treatment that tries to ease symptoms (like pain) without curing the disease.
Palpable Mass
Breast lumps or abnormalities that can be felt during a clinical breast examination.
Palpation
To examine, using the hands and fingers.
Partial Mastectomy (Lumpectomy, Breast Conserving Surgery, Wide Excision, or Excisional Biopsy)
Surgery that removes only the part of the breast containing and closely surrounding the cancer tumor.
Pathologist
The physician who looks under a microscope at the breast tissue and lymph nodes removed during biopsy or surgery.
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)
A small tube used to deliver medicine to the body through a vein. Instead of being reinserted for each use, a PICC is left in place to allow access for a long period of time (weeks to months).
Permanent Section
A method used for final tissue diagnosis. Thin slices of tissue are processed and put on a slide and a pathologist looks at them under a microscope. These sections are of better quality than frozen sections.
Phyllodes Tumor
A rare sarcoma (cancer of muscle tissue) in the breast.
Pituitary Gland
A part of the brain that controls growth and other glands in the body, such as the ovaries.
Placebo
An inactive medicine that is given to have a comparison when testing a new drug in a clinical study. May be called a "sugar pill".
Pooled Analysis
A method for collecting the individual data from a group of studies, combining them into one large set of data, and then analyzing the data as if they came from one big study.
Predictive Factors
Factors, such as hormone receptor status, which help predict the kind of treatment that will be most effective for a specific cancer case.
Predispose
To make more at risk for a disease.
Premenopausal Women
Women who have regular menstrual periods.
Preoperative Chemotherapy (Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy, Induction Chemotherapy, Primary Chemotherapy)
Chemotherapy used as a first treatment. Often used for large or advanced cancers to shrink tumors before surgery.
Prevalence Rate
The proportion (percentage) of people in a population who have a certain disease, behavior or characteristic at a defined point in time.
Prevention
Steps taken to lower the risk of a disease or delay the onset of a disease.
Preoperative Chemotherapy (Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy, Induction Chemotherapy, Primary Chemotherapy)
Chemotherapy used as a first treatment. Often used for large or advanced cancers to shrink tumors before surgery.
Primary Tumor
The original cancer in the breast.
Prognosis
The expected or probable outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery.
Prognostic Factors
Factors (such as tumor type, size and grade) that help to determine prognosis.
Progesterone
A hormone made by the body that important in menstrual cycles and pregnancy. May be made in a laboratory and used in birth control pills, postmenopausal hormone therapy and other types of hormone treatments.
Progesterone Receptor
Specific proteins on breast cells that progesterone hormones attach to. A high number of progesterone receptors often means that a cancer cell needs progesterone to grow.
Progression
The growth or spread of cancer, with or without treatment.
Proliferative
Rapidly growing and increasing in number.
Prophylactic Mastectomy
Preventive surgery where one or both breasts are removed in order to keep cancer from developing. When both breasts are removed, the procedure is called bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.
Prospective Study
An observational study that follows people forward in time. See Cohort Study
Prosthetic (Breast Prosthetic)
An artificial breast form that can be worn under clothing after a mastectomy.
Protocol
An outline or plan for use of an experimental drug, treatment or procedure in cancer therapy or diagnosis.
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Q
Quadrantectomy
Surgery where one quadrant or 25 percent of the breast is removed. See Lumpectomy.
Quality of Life
A measure of a person’s well-being and his/her overall enjoyment of life.
Quartiles
Categories of an exposure (like body weight or activity) based on four equal parts of the total number of people in the study.
Quantiles
Categories of an exposure (like body weight or activity) based on equal parts of the total number of people in the study. When the total number of people is divided into thirds, the categories are called tertiles. When the total number of people is divided into quarters, the categories are called quartiles.
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R
RAD (dose of radiation)
Short for "radiation absorbed dose." This term describes the amount of radiation absorbed by the tissues. One RAD is equal to one centigray. See Centigray .
Radiation Oncologist
A physician specializing in the treatment of cancer using high energy X-rays.
Radiation Therapy (Radiotherapy)
Treatment given by a radiation oncologist using radiation (energy in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves) to kill or damage cancer cells.
Radical Mastectomy (Halsted Radical)
Surgical removal of the breast, chest muscles and underarm lymph nodes. Used only when the breast tumor has spread to the chest muscles.
Radiologist
A physician who reads and interprets X-rays, mammograms and other scans related to diagnosis or follow-up. Radiologists also perform needle biopsy and wire localization procedures.
Radiotherapy (Radiation Therapy)
Treatment given by a radiation oncologist using radiation (energy in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves) to kill or damage cancer cells.
Raloxifene
A drug first used to treat osteoporosis and now also used to lower the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk.
Randomized Controlled Trials
Studies where researchers change some participants' behavior or provide a particular therapy to see how it affects health. These studies are called randomized controlled trials because the participants are randomly assigned (as if by coin toss) to either an intervention group (such as one taking a chemoprevention drug) or a control group (such as one taking an inactive placebo).
Reconstruction (Breast Reconstruction, Reconstruction Mammoplasty)
Surgery to recreate the breast's shape after a natural breast has been removed. Procedures may involve the use of implants or natural tissues.
Recurrence (Relapse)
Return of cancer. Local recurrence is the return of cancer to the same breast or chest wall. Distant recurrence is the return of cancer to another location, such as the lungs or liver. See Metastases .
Regimen
A treatment plan.
Regression
The shrinking of a tumor.
Relative Risk
A measure used to describe the increase (or decrease) in risk related to a specific risk factor. A relative risk is the ratio of two absolute risks: the numerator is the absolute risk among those with the risk factor, while the denominator is the absolute risk among those without the risk factor.
Relative Survival Rate
A measure used to compare the survival of people who have a certain disease with those who do not at a given time after diagnosis or treatment. The relative survival rate shows whether the disease shortens life. If relative survival is 100 percent at five years after treatment, there is no difference in survival between those who have the disease and those who do not five years after treatment.
Remission
A temporary or permanent disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer.
Retrospective Study
A study where both the exposure (such as alcohol use) and the outcome (such as breast cancer) occur before the start of the study.
Risk (of disease)
Probability (chance) of disease developing in a person during a specified time period.
Risk-Benefit Ratio
The relationship between the possible (or expected) side effects and benefits of a treatment or procedure.
Risk Factor
Any factor—from a lifestyle choice (such as diet) to genetic make-up to an environmental exposure (such as radiation)—that increases or decreases a person's risk of developing a certain disease.
RNA (ribonucleic acid)
A molecule made by cells that contains genetic information that has been copied from DNA. RNA performs functions related to making proteins.
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Schedules
The different combinations and timing for chemotherapy and other drugs.
Screening
A test or procedure used to find cancer or a noncancerous condition in a seemingly healthy person without symptoms.
Screening Mammogram
A test used to find early signs of breast cancer in a woman who is not having any breast problems or symptoms. It involves two X-rays views of each breast.
Second Primary Tumor
A second breast cancer that arises in a different location from the first. Different from a local recurrence, which is the return of the first breast cancer.
Selection Criteria
In a summary research table, the specific standards (such as study design and number of participants) that a study has to meet to be included in a table.
Sensitivity
The proportion (or percentage) of people who truly have the condition of interest who 'test positive' for that condition.
Sentinel Node Biopsy
The surgical removal and testing of the sentinel node (first axillary node in the underarm area filtering lymph fluid from the tumor site) to see if the node contains cancer cells.
Silicone Gel
Medical-grade silicone rubber gel used for breast implants that feels similar to a normal breast.
Simple Mastectomy (Total Mastectomy)
Surgical removal of the breast but no other tissue or nodes. Used for the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ and, in some cases, recurrent breast cancer. Also used in prophylactic mastectomy.
Sonogram (Ultrasound)
Diagnostic test that uses sound waves to make images of tissues and organs. Tissues of different densities reflect sound waves differently.
S-Phase Fraction
Testing of cancer cells to see how many are in the process of dividing DNA at any one time.
Specificity
The proportion (or percentage) of people who truly do NOT have the condition of interest who 'test negative' for that condition.
Staging
Doing tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body (the cancer’s stage). Knowing a cancer’s stage helps determine what treatment is needed and how effective this treatment may be in getting rid of the disease and prolonging life.
Standard Treatment (Standard of Care)
The usual treatment currently in widespread use and considered to be of proven effectiveness on the basis of past experience.
Statistical Significance
A statistical term that describes whether or not the result of a study is very unlikely due to chance. A result that is statistically significant likely shows a true relationship between a risk factor and a disease of interest.
Stereotactic Needle Biopsy
Core needle biopsy done with the use of stereotactic (three-dimensional) mammography guidance.
Stereotactic Mammography
Three-dimensional mammography used when taking a needle biopsy of a breast abnormality that cannot be felt.
Surgeon
Physician who does any surgery, including surgical biopsies and other procedures related to breast cancer.
Surgical Oncologist
A physician specializing in the treatment of cancer using surgical procedures.
Systemic Treatment
Treatment of the whole body with drug or other therapies that travel through the bloodstream and affect cancer cells all over the body.
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Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
Drug that is used to treat some cases of both early and advanced stage breast cancer. Taken in pill form, tamoxifen prevents tumor growth by blocking the hormone estrogen from cancer cells that are estrogen receptor-positive.
Targeted Therapy
Drug therapies designed to attack specific molecular agents or pathways involved in the development of cancer.
Tertiles
Categories of an exposure (like body weight or activity) based on three equal parts of the total number of people in the study.
Therapeutic Touch
Complementary therapy where trained practitioners enter a semi-meditative state and hold their hands just above a person’s body to sense energy imbalances due to illness. Healing energy is then said to transfer to the person.
Total Mastectomy (Simple Mastectomy)
Surgical removal of the breast but no other tissue or nodes. Used for the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ and, in some cases, recurrent breast cancer. Also used in prophylactic mastectomy.
Trastuzumab (Herceptin)
A drug that is a specially made antibody that targets cancer cells that have high numbers of a protein called HER2/neu on their surfaces. When attached to the HER2/neu protein, trastuzumab slows or stops the growth of the cancer cells. Trastuzumab is used to treat HER2/neu-positive breast cancer.
Tumor
An abnormal growth or mass of tissue that may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Tumor Grade
Describes how closely cancer cells look like normal tissue. The higher the grade, the less they look like normal tissue, and the faster the cancer's rate of growth is likely to be.
Two-step Procedure
Biopsy and further surgical treatment done at two separate times.
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Ultrasound (Sonagram)
Diagnostic test that uses sound waves to make images of tissues and organs. Tissues of different densities reflect sound waves differently.
Usual Hyperplasia
A benign breast condition where breast cells are multiplying (proliferating). The proliferating cells look normal under a microscope. Although non-cancerous, it increases the risk of breast cancer.
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Wedge Excision
A surgical procedure that removes of a portion of the breast tissue. However, the amount of tissue is not specified. It is important that a woman find out from the surgeon how much tissue was removed. See Lumpectomy.
Wire Localization (Needle Localization)
Insertion of a very thin wire into an abnormal area of the breast to highlight the location of a nonpalpable lesion so that it can be removed during biopsy or lumpectomy.
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X-ray
Radiation that can be useful, at low levels, in the diagnosis of cancer and, at high levels, in its treatment.
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*Parts of this glossary were adapted from the National Cancer Institute's "Cancer Definitions", “Cancer.gov Dictionary” and the American Cancer Society’s “Glossary”.
**Glossary terms relating to radiation therapy adapted from the "Glossary of Terms" from the Joint Center for Radiation Therapy website.
Updated 11/12/09
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