| abscess
A pocket of pus caused by an infection.
AC
Chemotherapy combination of two different drugs: Adriamycin and
Cytoxan.
Adriamycin
(doxorubicin)
A drug used to kill cancer cells.
Adrucil
(5-fluorouracil)
A drug used to kill cancer cells.
anesthesia
Procedure used to make surgery painless, either by local numbing
or by putting the patient to sleep. It is usually performed by an
anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist.
antiemetic
A medicine that relieves nausea (feeling sick to the stomach) and
vomiting (throwing up).
antioxidant
Compounds which slow the deterioration (or oxidation) of cells in
the body. Vitamins C and E, as well as beta-carotene are antioxidants.
Arimidex (anastrozole)
A drug for treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal
women.
aspiration
Removal of liquid or tissue cells from a cyst or other structure
in the breast, by inserting a needle and drawing (aspirating) fluid
into a syringe.
bank blood
Blood that has been donated and stored for later use.
bilateral
Something that is present on both sides of the body. For example,
a bilateral mastectomy is a surgery where both breasts are removed.
blood
cell count
A test that measures the number of red blood cells, white blood
cells, and platelets in a blood sample. This test helps evaluate
the effect of chemotherapy on the bone marrow where the blood cells
are produced.
brachytherapy
A form of radiation therapy in which the source of the radiation
is placed close to, or implanted in, the body.
breast
form
Something with the shape and texture of a breast, created with tissue
or with a prosthetic.
CAF
Chemotherapy combination of three different drugs: Cytoxan, Adriamycin,
and 5-fluorouracil.
carbohydrate
A chemical compound which serves as a basic source of energy. Foods
high in carbohydrates include sugars and starches such as bread
and pasta.
carcinoembryonic
antigen (CEA)
Blood test used to follow women with metastatic breast cancer to
help determine if the treatments are working.
carcinogen
Any substance that initiates or promotes the development of cancer.
carcinoma
a form of cancer that develops in the lining of the organs of the
body, such as the skin, the uterus, the lungs, or the breast.
carcinoma
in situ
A carcinoma that has not spread outside the area where it began.
catheter
A tube used to allow fluid to pass into or out of the body.
cell
The basic building block of all organisms. Individual cells can
only be seen when they are magnified through a microscope.
chromosome
One of the many strands of DNA material within the cell that carries
genetic information.
circulatory
system
The system consisting of the heart and blood vessels which provides
blood to all parts of the body.
CMF
Chemotherapy combination of three different drugs: Cytoxan, methotrexate,
and 5-fluorouracil.
colony stimulating
factors
Chemotherapy additives which stimulate the bone marrow. May be required
to maintain adequate blood cell counts during chemotherapy treatment.
combination
chemotherapy
Use of two or more chemicals to achieve maximum damage to tumor
cells.
cyst
A sac-like structure that contains liquid or semi-solid material.
Cytoxan
(cyclophosphamide)
A drug used to kill cancer cells.
DCIS
Abbreviation for ductal carcinoma in situ.
DNA
Material found in the nucleus of all cells. Contains genetic information
for cell division and cell growth.
donor site
Part of the body from which tissue is taken for transfer to another
part of the body for reconstruction.
double blind
A research study in which neither the participants nor the researchers
know which subjects are in the control group and which subjects
are in the test group.
doubling
time
The time required to double the number of cells in a group of cells
or in a tumor. A short doubling time (under 100 days) indicates
a fast-growing tumor.
dose-dense chemotherapy
A regimen that uses more frequent administration of chemotherapy.
drain
A plastic tube, usually attached to a bulb, placed into the surgical
site to collect any draining blood or fluid for a few days following
surgery.
ductal
carcinoma in situ
A cancer inside breast ducts that has not grown through the wall
of the duct into the surrounding tissues. Also known simply as DCIS.
edema
Excess fluid in a body part. Lymphedema is swelling of the arm as
a result of scarring of the lymph ducts after radiation or surgery
in the axilla.
estrogen
A female hormone secreted by the ovaries which is essential for
menstruation, reproduction, and the development of secondary sex
characteristics, such as breasts.
fibroadenoma
A noncancerous, solid tumor most commonly found in breasts of younger
women.
fibroid
A tumor composed of fibers or fibrous tissues.
5-FU (5-fluorouracil)
A drug used to kill cancer cells. Also available in pill form under
the name of Xeloda.
flap
A portion of tissue with its blood supply moved from one part of
the body to another. Flaps of muscle, fat, and skin are frequently
used to provide tissue for reconstructing breasts.
general
anesthesia
Anesthesia which puts your whole body to sleep. Usually given through
injection or gases.
enes
Areas on chromosomes that contain hereditary information that is
transferred from cell to cell.
guided
imagery
Using directed mental images to provide relaxation, mental healing,
or higher levels of consciousness.
hemoglobin
A protein in blood which carries oxygen.
HER-2/neu
An oncogene which may help determine resistance to hormone and chemotherapy.
hormone
Chemical substance that helps regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
immune
system
System by which the body protects itself from outside invaders or
internal defects.
immunotherapy
Therapy that works by enhancing the body’s own defense system.
back to top
infiltrating
ductal carcinoma
A cancer that began in a milk duct and has spread to areas outside
the duct.
LCIS
Abbreviation for lobular carcinoma in situ.
linear
accelerator
A machine that produces high energy X-ray beams to destroy cancer
cells during radiation therapy.
lobular
carcinoma in situ
A tumor confined to the milk-producing lobules of the breast (LCIS).
margin
The area of normal tissue surrounding a tumor when it is surgically
removed.
metastatic
cancer
Cancer which has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the
body.
back to top
micro-surgery
Sewing together almost hair-thin blood vessels with the aid of a
microscope.
mind-body connection
A philosophical theory that states that the mind can control bodily
functions.
modified
radical mastectomy
The most common type of mastectomy. Breast skin, nipple, areola,
and some of the underarm lymph nodes are removed. The chest muscles
are saved.
myocutaneous
flap
A section of muscle, fat, and skin transferred for reconstruction
of the breast.
needle
localization
A procedure in which a radiologist inserts a thin wire into the
breast. Later, a surgeon will follow this wire to find the tumor.
Nolvadex
(tamoxifen)
An anti-estrogen drug that may be given to women with estrogen receptor
positive tumors.
non-surgical biopsy
A biopsy where samples of a lump or tumor are removed with a needle
under local anesthesia.
oncogene
A gene that contributes to the malignant transformation of a cell.
oncologist
A physician who specializes in oncology—a specialty dealing
with cancer treatment.
oral
chemotherapy
Chemotherapy taken in pill form instead of by intravenous injection.
osteoporosis
Increased bone fragility that occurs with age, often due to lack
of the female hormone estrogen.
PDQ
A source of information published by the National Cancer Institute
which lists all clinical and experimental trials currently underway.
pectoralis muscles
Muscles located under the breast and attached to the front of the
chest wall and extending to the upper arms.
port
A device surgically inserted under the skin of the chest, and connected
to a very large vein, so that chemotherapy can be injected.
precancerous
lesions
Abnormal cellular changes that are potentially capable of becoming
cancer.
prednisone - (Deltasone,Orasone)
A steroid used to decrease inflammation; also used in combination
with cytotoxic drugs.
progesterone
A female hormone produced by the ovaries during a specific time
in the menstrual cycle that causes the breasts to prepare to produce
milk.
prognosis
A prediction of the course of the disease; future prospect for the
patient.
prosthesis
An artificial breast form worn inside a bra after a mastectomy.
protein
Complex compounds which hold amino acids essential for growth and
repair of tissues.
radical
mastectomy
Removal of entire breast, as well as underlying muscles, causing
significant deformity. No longer performed today.
recurrence
Reappearance of cancer after a period of remission.
risk
counselor
A trained healthcare professional who can advise a woman on her
risk of developing breast cancer.
saline
A salt water solution, 1. given intravenously during surgery to
maintain proper body functioning, or 2. used to fill a synthetic
implant for breast reconstruction.
sentinel
node
The single axillary lymph node that can be examined to determine
if cancer has spread beyond the breast to other lymph nodes.
stem
cell
Cells which will eventually become blood cell producers in the bone
marrow.
stereotactic
core needle biopsy
A biopsy performed using two mammographic views to pinpoint the
site of the tumor.
suppressor
gene
A gene that can reverse the effect of a specific type of mutation
in other genes.
suture
A surgeon’s stitch.
tamoxifen
(Nolvadex)
An anti-estrogen drug that may be given to women with estrogen receptor
positive tumors to block tumor cell growth.
taxanes
Taxol and Taxotere, drugs used for treatment of breast cancer.
“tummy
tuck”
A procedure in which a portion of fat and skin is removed from the
abdomen, reducing the size of one’s “tummy.”
ultrasound
High frequency sound waves used to locate a tumor inside the body.
Helps determine if a breast lump is solid or filled with fluid.
visualization
Forming a mental image of something not present to the sight. This
technique can be used for relaxation or to help your body fight
cancer.
Xeloda
(5-FU)
A drug for treatment of advanced breast cancer. Xeloda is taken
by mouth in pill form, rather than by intravenous injection.
|
