Breast Cancer Glossary M To X Macrobiotics
Alternative dietary therapy based on the ancient Eastern concepts of yin and yang. It encourages largely vegetarian, organic foods and defines specific methods of preparation. Malignant
Cancerous. Mammary Ducts
See Duct. Mammary Duct Ectasia
A noncancerous breast condition resulting from the inflammation and enlargement of the ducts behind the nipple. Generally women do not experience any symptoms, however, calcifications seen on a mammogram may indicate its presence. No treatment is necessary if the woman is not experiencing any symptoms (burning, pain or itching of the nipple area). Mammary Glands
The breast glands that produce and carry milk, by way of ducts, to the nipples during pregnancy. Mammogram
An X-ray of the breast. Margins
The area of normal tissue surrounding the cancerous tumor after it has been removed during surgery. A margin is clean (also known as uninvolved or negative) if there is only normal tissue (and no cancer cells) at the edges of the tissue removed. Clean margins indicate that 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 patient’s diagnosis. See Total Mastectomy and Modifed Radical Mastectomy. Mastitis
An inflammation of the breast usually occurring during lactation. Symptoms include pain, nipple discharge, fever and redness and/or hardness over an area of the breast. Melatonin
Hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, 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 frequently in the late forties or early fifties. Meta-analysis
A method for taking the results reported in a group of studies and 'averaging' them in a certain way 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 the 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 associated with a breast lump. Approximately 20 to 25 percent represent 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 wherever they are in the body. 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. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
An imaging technique that uses a magnet linked to a computer to create detailed pictures of parts of the body like the liver, brain, lung, chest or any other organ suspected of having cancer. Multifocal Tumors
Multiple tumors. Multimodality Therapy
Use of two or more treatment methods (i.e., surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy) in combination or sequentially to achieve optimal results. Mutation
See Gene Mutation. N
Needle Localization
Insertion of a very thin wire into an abnormal area of the breast, used to highlight the location of a nonpalpable lesion so that it can be removed during open biopsy or breast conserving surgery. Neoadjuvant Therapy
See Induction Chemotherapy. Neoplasia
Abnormal growth. Neoplasm
Excessive number of cells in a mass that can be either benign or malignant. Nested Case-control Study
A case-control study performed 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 obtained before any of the participants developed disease, making them less subject to bias. Nonpalpable Lesion
Breast lump or abnormality that cannot be felt but that can be detected on a mammogram. O
Observational Study
A research study where participants live their daily lives as usual and report their activities to researchers. Odds Ratio
Quantitative measure reported in case-control studies that describes the increase (or decrease) in risk associated with a specific risk factor. An odds ratio is interpreted in the same way as a relative risk, though it is calculated differently. Oncologist
The doctor who is responsible for planning and overseeing treatment of cancer. Medical Oncologist
A physician specializing in the treatment of cancer using chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Radiation Oncologist
A physician specializing in the treatment of cancer using high energy X-rays. Surgical Oncologist
A physician specializing in the treatment of cancer using surgical procedures. One-step Procedure
A method for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The biopsy is performed under general anesthesia. If cancer is confirmed by frozen section examination, a surgeon will then proceed with definitive surgical treatment. It should be noted that this is no longer the standard procedure unless the woman is informed and consents in advance to a one-step procedure. Oophorectomy
Surgical removal of the ovaries. P
Palliative Therapy (Palliation)
A treatment that may relieve 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 (Breast Conserving Therapy, Lumpectomy, Wide Excision, or Excisional Biopsy)
Surgery that removes only the part of the breast containing and closely surrounding the cancer tumor. Pathologist
The doctor who microscopically evaluates the breast tissue and lymph nodes removed during biopsy or surgery. Permanent Section
A method used for final tissue diagnosis. After overnight tissue processing, thin slices of tissue are mounted on a slide and examined microscopically by a pathologist. These sections are of better quality than the frozen section, and are used for final pathological diagnosis. It generally takes three working days to receive this final report. Pituitary Gland
A part of the brain that regulates growth and other glands in the body, such as the ovaries. Pooled Analysis
A method for collecting all the individual data from a group of studies, combining them into one large set of data, and then analyzing the data as if it 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 susceptible to a disease. Premenopausal Women
Women who have regular periods. Preoperative Chemotherapy
See Induction Chemotherapy. Prevention
The elimination of causes of disease from the population, so that risk of disease is either eliminated (as in the case of many infectious diseases today), or postponed until later in life (with heart disease and various cancers). Primary Chemotherapy
See Induction Chemotherapy. 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 a woman's prognosis. Progesterone
An antiestrogenic steroid used to correct abnormalities of the menstrual cycle, as a contraceptive, and to control habitual abortion. See Hormone Receptor. Progesterone Receptor
See Hormone Receptor. Prophylactic Mastectomy
Preventive surgery where one breast 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
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. Q
Quadrantectomy
Surgery where one quadrant or 25% of the breast is removed. See Breast Conserving Surgery. Quartiles
See Quantiles. Quantiles
Categories of an exposure based on equal divisions 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. R
RAD (dose of radiation)
Abbreviation 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
See Oncologist. Radiation Therapy (Radiotherapy)
Treatment given by a radiation oncologist using moderate-dose radiation to kill or damage cancer cells in the area exposed. Radical Mastectomy (Halsted Radical)
Surgical removal of the breast, chest muscles and underarm lymph nodes. Procedure has been replaced by less extensive mastectomy procedures. Radiologist
The radiologist oversees and reads any X-rays, mammograms or other scans related to diagnosis or follow-up. In general, radiologists specialize in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body. Radiologists also perform needle biopsy and wire localization procedures. Radiotherapy
See Radiation Therapy. Randomized Controlled Trials
Studies where researchers intervene to change some participants' behavior or to provide a particular therapy to see how it affects their 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
A way to recreate the breast's shape after a natural breast has been removed. Various procedures are available, some of which involve the use of implants. May also be referred to as reconstruction mammoplasty. Recurrence
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. Regression
The shrinking of a tumor. Relative Risk
Quantitative measure used to describe the increase (or decrease) in risk associated with 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. Remission
A temporary or permanent disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer. Risk (of Disease)
Probability of disease developing in an individual during a specified time period. Risk-Benefit Ratio
The relationship between the possible (or expected) side effects and benefits of a recommended 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. S
Schedules
The different combinations and timing for chemotherapy and other drugs. Screening
A test or procedure used to detect cancer or a pre-cancerous condition in an apparently healthy person without symptoms. Screening Mammogram
Screening mammography is used to identify early signs of breast cancer in a woman who is not currently having any breast problems or symptoms. This procedure 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 relation to a summary 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 examination of the sentinel node (first node filtering lymph fluid from the tumor site) to see if the node contains cancer cells. Silicone Gel
Medical-grade silicone rubber gel, which is similar to the consistency of the normal breast. Simple Mastectomy
See Total Mastectomy. Simulator (for Radiation Therapy)
A clinical X-ray unit used to define the exact treatment area for radiation therapy. Sonogram
See Ultrasound. S-Phase Fraction
Examination 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
Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body—its stage. Knowing a cancer’s stage helps determine what treatment is necessary and how effective this treatment may be in getting rid of the disease and prolonging life. Standard Treatment
The usual treatment currently in widespread use and considered to be of proven effectiveness on the basis of previous experience. Statistical Significance
A statistical concept indicating that the result of a study is very unlikely due to chance and, therefore, likely represents a true relationship between a risk factor and a disease of interest. Stereotactic Needle Biopsy
Core needle biopsy performed with the use of stereotactic mammography. Stereotactic Mammography
Three-dimensional mammography used when taking a needle biopsy of a breast abnormality that can’t be felt. Surgeon
Doctor who performs any surgery related to breast cancer, including surgical biopsies. Surgical Oncologist
See Oncologist. Systemic Treatment
Treatment of the whole body with substances that travel through the bloodstream and affect cancer cells all over the body. T
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
Drug that is used to treat both early and advanced stage breast cancer. Taken in pill form, tamoxifen works by blocking the hormone estrogen from cancer cells that are estrogen receptor-positive, therefore preventing their growth. Tertiles
See Quantiles. Therapeutic Touch
Complementary therapy where trained practitioners enter a semi-meditative state and hold their hands just above the body to sense energy imbalances due to illness. Healing energy is then said to transfer to the patient. 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 instances, recurrent breast cancer. Also the procedure used in prophylactic mastectomy. Tumor
An abnormal growth or mass of tissue that may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Tumor Grade
Describes how closely a cancer resembles normal tissue. The higher the grade, the less it resembles normal tissue, and the faster the cancer's rate of growth is likely to be. Two-step Procedure
Biopsy and further surgical treatment performed at two separate times. U
Ultrasound
Diagnostic test that uses sound waves to create images of tissues and organs. Tissues of different densities reflect sound waves differently. W
Wedge Excision
This surgical procedure involves the removal of a portion of the breast tissue, however, the amount is not specified. It is important that the woman clarify with her surgeon the extent of breast tissue removal. See Breast Conserving Surgery. Wire Localization
See Needle Localization. X
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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