Breast Cancer GlossaryA
Absolute Risk
A person's chance of developing a specific disease over a specified time period. The absolute risk of disease is estimated by examining a large number of persons similar in some respect (in terms of age, for example) and counting the number of individuals 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, approximately 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 to influence "meridians" of energy flowing through the body and restore balance between yin and yang forces in the body. Acupressure and electroacupuncture are based on the same principle. Adjuvant Systemic Therapy
Treatment given in addition to surgery and radiation to eliminate tumors that may have spread to other sites. There are two types, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Aloe
Usually referring to aloe vera, a succulent perennial plant related to the lily family, often used to soothe burns and other skin irritations. Alopecia
Hair loss. Amenorrhea
The absence or suppression of the menstrual period. Anesthesia
Loss of feeling or sensation. Local anesthesia may be induced into a specific region of the body, such as the breast, by injection of a drug (a local anesthetic) into that area. General anesthesia involves the entire body and may be induced by drugs injected into a vein or inhaled. Aneuploid (DNA Ploidy)
The presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in cancer cells. Angiogenesis
Blood vessel formation, which usually accompanies the growth of malignant tissue. Anti-carcinogen
Referring to an agent that counteracts carcinogens (cancer causing agents). Antioxidant
Referring to an agent that counteracts 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. Antiemetic
A medicine to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Apoptosis
A normal cellular process involving a genetically programmed series of events leading to the death of a cell. Areola
The more 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. Axilla
The underarm region. Axillary Dissection
Surgical procedure to remove lymph nodes from under the arm. Axillary Lymph Nodes
The lymph nodes under the arm. Axillary Sampling (axillary dissection)
Removal of some or all of the lymph nodes in the armpit. Ayurveda
"Life-knowledge," healing practice based on "doshas," biological principles that govern all bodily systems. B
Benign
Not cancerous. Does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Benign Breast Disease
Noncancerous conditions of the breast that can result in lumps or abnormalities on a mammogram. Examples include fluid filled cysts and fibroadenomas. Bilateral Prophylactic
See Prophylactic Mastectomy 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 examined for cancer cells. Bone Scan
A test done to determine 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. Collections on bone scan may result from cancer as well as from benign bone diseases like arthritis. Boost
Additional dose of radiation to a reduced size radiation field. Breast Cancer
An uncontrolled growth of abnormal breast cells. Breast Conserving Surgery
Surgery that removes only part of the breast—the part containing and closely surrounding the cancerous tumor. Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
A method used by women to become familiar with the normal appearance and feel of their breast tissue, so that if a change occurs it will be detected early. C
Cachexia
Loss of appetite and weight experienced by many cancer patients. Calcifications
Deposits of calcium in the breast that appear on a mammogram. Microcalcifications sometimes can indicate precancerous or cancerous cell growth. Cancer
General name for over 100 diseases in which cell growth is uncontrolled. Carcinoma In Situ
Cancers contained in the milk ducts and lobules of the breast that have not left their original location and spread to the surrounding breast tissue. In situ means "in place." Case-control Study
An observational study that identifies 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 prevalent in the past history of one group compared to the other. Centigray (centigrays)
One centigray describes the amount of radiation absorbed by the tissues and is equivalent to 1 RAD. Chemotherapy
A drug or combination of drugs given in cycles. These drugs kill cancer cells in various ways. Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)
The inspection and palpation of the breasts by a trained medical professional. Clinical Trials
Research studies done with human patients. These studies generally test the benefits of possible new treatments or diagnostic procedures. Cohort Study
A study that follows a large group (a cohort) of people. Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies (CAM)
Forms of treatment that are used in addition to standard treatments. These practices are not considered standard medical approaches. Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) Scan
See CT Scan. 95% Confidence Interval
A statistical concept that indicates that there is a 95% probability that the 'true' measure of interest (for instance, the true relative risk relating alcohol consumption to breast cancer) is captured within an interval computed from a single study. Core Needle Biopsy
A needle biopsy that removes pieces of tissue rather than just cells from an abnormal area in the breast. CT Scan
Computed tomography scan. A series of pictures created by a computer linked to an X-ray machine. The scan provides detailed internal images of the body. Also called computerized tomography and computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan. Cumulative Risk
Summing of a person's risk for a disease up to a specified age. For example, it is commonly noted that the lifetime risk of breast cancer for an American woman born in 1990 is about 1 in 8 (or about 12%), if she lives to be 95. This means that for every 8 women who live to be age 95, one (or about 12%) will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. 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 synonymously with chemotherapy. D
Definitive Surgery
When all of the known tumor is removed and no follow-up surgery is needed. Detoxification
Concept prevalent in many special regimens, especially the Gerson diet, to indicate a process whereby the body is cleansed of unnatural, unhelpful or unhealthful agents, often taking the form of enemas. Diagnosis
Identification of a disease from its signs and symptoms. Diagnostic Mammogram
A diagnostic mammogram is used to further evaluate a breast problem/symptom or an abnormal finding on a screening mammogram. This procedure involves two or more X-ray views per breast. Diagnostic Radiologist (Radiologist)
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis of diseases by the use of X-rays. Diploid (DNA Ploidy)
The presence of a normal number of chromosomes in cancer cells. Distant Recurrence
Return of cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver or bone. Doxorubicin
A chemotherapy drug that damages a cancer cell's ability to repair DNA. Duct
A pathway in the breast through which milk passes from the lobules to the nipple (see figure). Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
Type of in situ (non-invasive) breast cancer that originates mainly in the milk ducts of the breast. Ductal Papilloma
A noncancerous breast tumor, arising in the breast duct, which usually cannot be felt. It generally appears as either a bloody or clear nipple discharge. E
Early Breast Cancer
Cancer that is contained in the breast or has only spread to lymph nodes under the arm. The term is commonly associated with stage I and II cancer. Endocrine Manipulation (Hormonal Therapy)
Treating breast cancer by changing the hormonal balance of the body instead of using cell-killing drugs. 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
See Hormone Receptors. Excisional Biopsy
Surgical procedure that removes the entire suspicious area (plus some surrounding normal tissue) from the breast. External Beam Radiation Therapy
See Radiation Therapy. 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, following either surgery or blunt trauma to the breast. This breast change is not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Fibroadenoma
A benign 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 noncancerous breast condition, sometimes resulting in painful cysts or lumpy breasts. Also referred to as benign breast disease [link to this glossary entry]. Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)
Biopsy procedure that uses a very thin, hollow needle to remove a sample of cells from the abnormal area of the breast. Also called a fine needle biopsy. Flow Cytometry
A laboratory test performed on malignant breast tissue to determine the growth rate of malignant cells and the presence of abnormal chromosomes. Frozen Section
Process where a portion of tissue from a surgical biopsy is frozen so that a thin slice can be quickly cut and analyzed to see if it is cancerous or not. Frozen section results are only preliminary and always need to be confirmed by other methods. G
Galactocele
Milk filled cyst. Genes
The part of a person's cells that contains all the DNA information that determines how they will grow and develop, and how their body works. The information in a person's genes is inherited from previous generations on both sides of a person’s family. Gene Mutation
A 'mistake' or 'alteration' of the information contained in a gene. General Practitioner/Internist (Physician)
A woman's personal or family physician who may first detect a suspicious area through a clinical breast exam or abnormal mammogram. H
HER2/neu (erbB2)
Protein that appears in high numbers on the outside of the breast cancer cells of about 20 to 25 percent of breast cancer patients. Tumors with high levels of HER2/neu are effective targets for the biological therapy drug, trastuzumab (Herceptin). Hormones
Chemicals produced by various glands in the body, which produce specific effects on specific target organs and tissues. Hormone Receptors
Specific proteins on breast cells that hormones attach to. A high number of hormone receptors often indicates that a cancer cell needs the hormone to grow. Hormone-Receptor Status
Indicator of a breast cancer’s need for 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. Hormonal Therapy
Treatment that works by keeping cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. I
Immunotherapy
See Biological Therapy. Implant, Breast
An "envelope" containing silicone, saline or both, used to restore breast form. 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, usually done on advanced or large tumors. Indemnity Policy
Prepayment insurance plan providing services or cash indemnities 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. Informed Consent (risks and benefits)
The process through which a patient learns about the possible benefits and side effects of a recommended treatment plan and then accepts or declines the treatment. The patient is usually asked to sign a consent document, and may decide to stop the treatment at any time and receive other available medical care. In Situ Cancer
See Carcinoma In Situ. Integrated Therapy
See Complementary Therapy. Intraductal
Within the milk duct. Intraductal can describe a benign or 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 investigators in research trials but which is not yet available for commercial use. Iscador
Alternative therapy derived from mistletoe that some believe may help stimulate the immune system and kill cancer cells. L
Lactation
The process of producing milk and breastfeeding a child. Lactic Acid
Substance produced as waste by cancer cell metabolism. Large Veins (Deep Veins)
The large veins deep inside the legs that carry blood from the lower limbs 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. Radioisotope tracer is injected into the blood stream. This tracer will travel to the liver and collect there, especially in abnormal places that can be detected by a scanner. Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)
A type of carcinoma in situ where the cells originate mainly in the lobules of the breast. Lobular Neoplasia In Situ
See Lobular Carcinoma In Situ. Lobules
Spherical-shaped sacs in the breast that produce milk. Local Anesthetic
Anesthesia that only numbs the cells in a specific area. Local Treatment
Treatment that focuses on getting rid of the cancer from a limited (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
Cancer that has spread beyond the breast to the skin or chest wall, but not to distant organs like the lungs and liver. The term is commonly associated with stage III cancer. It also refers to a tumor that is > 5 cm (about 2 inches) in size. Lump
Any kind of mass in the breast or elsewhere in the body. Lumpectomy
See Breast Conserving Surgery. Lymphatic System
The network of lymph nodes and vessels throughout the body. Lymphedema
The swelling of the arm due to poor draining of lymph fluid that can occur after surgery to remove lymph nodes or after radiation therapy to the area. Lymph Nodes (Lymph Glands)
Small clumps 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
Indicator of 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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