Adjuvant therapy: |
Treatment given that enhances the effectiveness of the primary treatment.
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Areola: |
The area of dark-colored skin around the nipple.
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Axilla: |
The underarm.
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Benign tumor: |
A growth that is not cancer; it does not spread to other parts of the body.
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Bilateral mastectomy: |
Removal of both breasts.
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Biopsy: |
The removal of a sample of tissue that is looked at under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present. An excisional biopsy is surgery to remove an entire lump. An incisional biopsy, which is less commonly performed for breast tumors, removes part of the tumor. Removing tissue or fluid with a needle is called needle biopsy or needle aspiration.
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Cancer: |
A term for more than 100 diseases that have uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells. Cancer cells can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.
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Carcinoma: |
Cancer that begins in the lining or covering of an organ.
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Carcinoma in-situ: |
Cancer that involves only the cells in which it began and has not spread to other tissues. Lobular carcinoma in-situ is found in the lobules of the breast. Ductal carcinoma in-situ (also called intraductal carcinoma) arises in the ducts.
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Chemotherapy: |
Treatment with anti-cancer drugs.
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Clinical trials: |
Studies of new cancer treatments. Each study is designed to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to treat patients.
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Cyst: |
An abnormal sac within a tissue or organ, usually filled with fluid.
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Duct: |
A tube in the breast through which milk passes from the lobes to the nipple.
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Estrogen: |
A female hormone.
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Hormone therapy: |
Treatment of cancer by removing, blocking or adding hormones.
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Hormones: |
Chemicals produced by certain glands in the body. Hormones control the way certain cells or organs act.
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Lobe: |
A part of the breast; each breast contains 15 to 20 lobes.
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Lobule: |
A subdivision of the lobes of the breast.
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Lumpectomy: |
Surgery that removes the breast lump; usually followed by radiation therapy.
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Lymph: |
An almost colorless fluid that bathes body tissues and carries cells that help fight infection.
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Lymph nodes: |
Small, bean shaped organs located along the lymphatic system. Nodes filter bacteria or cancer cells that may travel through the lymphatic system. Also called lymph glands.
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Lymphatic system: |
The tissues and organs (including the bone marrow, spleen, thymus and lymph nodes) that produce and store cells that fight infection and the channels that carry lymph fluid.
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Lymphedema: |
Swelling of the hand or arm caused by extra fluid that may collect in tissues when lymph nodes are removed or blocked.
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Malignant: |
Cancerous.
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Mammography: |
An x-ray procedure to detect breast tumors.
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Mastectomy: |
Surgery to remove the breast.
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Menopause: |
The time of a woman’s life when menstrual periods stop; also called ‘change of life.’
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Metastasis: |
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. Cells in the metastatic tumor (the second tumor) are like those in the original cancer.
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Oncologist: |
A doctor who specializes in treating cancer.
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Palpation: |
A simple technique in which a doctor presses lightly on the surface of the body to feel the organs or tissues underneath.
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Pathologist: |
A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
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Progesterone: |
A female hormone.
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Prosthesis: |
A breast form worn under clothing. (Prostheses is plural.)
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Radiation therapy: |
Treatment with high-energy rays from x-rays or other sources to kill cancer cells.
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Staging: |
The process of learning whether cancer has spread from its original site to another part of the body.
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Stereotactic Needle Biopsy: |
A method of needle biopsy that is useful in cases in which a mass can be seen on a mammogram, but cannot be found by touch. A computer maps the location of the mass to guide the placement of the needle.
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Thermography: |
A test that measures and displays heat patterns of breast tissues. Abnormal tissue generally is warmer than healthy tissue.
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Tumor: |
An abnormal mass of tissue.
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Ultrasound: |
A test that bounces sound waves off tissues and converts the echoes into pictures. Tissues with different densities reflect sound waves differently, making it possible to tell the difference between a fluid-filled cyst and a solid mass.
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Unilateral mastectomy: |
Removal of one breast.
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