Benign – Non cancerous
Biopsy – The procedure of obtaining samples of tissue to determine if cancer is present, and if so, to determine the stage and grade of the cancer.
Bone Scan – A test performed when there is concern that cancer has spread beyond the prostate. A bone scan can detect any area of cancer cells in the bones.
BPH – Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy – An enlargement of the prostate that is fairly common in men in their 60’s and older. Not cancerous.
Brachytherapy – A treatment for prostate cancer where radioactive seeds are implanted in the prostate.
Cancer – Defines the occurrence of cells changing and growing out of control. These cells, under certain circumstances can spread beyond their original point of origin.
Cryotherapy – A treatment for cancer where cancer cells are frozen in order to kill them.
CT Scan – A computer controlled x-ray technique. Computer Tomography Scan.
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) – A procedure where the doctor inserts a finger through the rectum to feel the prostate. This screening test can detect any nodules or thickening of the prostate wall.
External Beam Radiation – A treatment for prostate cancer where a radiation beam is concentrated at the area of cancer.
Grade – See Gleason Score
Gleason Score – A system of evaluating how aggressive the prostate cancer is. The Gleason score is generally between 4 and 10, with anything above a 7 being considered very aggressive.
Hormone Therapy – A treatment that blocks or removes the hormone testosterone to delay the growth of the prostate cancer. Hormone therapy is generally used when other treatment methods have failed, or when the cancer is too advanced to treat with other methods.
Laparoscopy – A surgical method that is minimally invasive. Generally done through a very small incision, the scope has a small camera attached and can be used with tools that allow a surgeon to see a cancerous growth and remove it.
Lymphatic system – The system in your body that produces and stores white blood cells, the cells that combat infection or anything foreign in the body such as cancer.
Malignant – Cancerous.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – An evaluation tool that uses radio waves in combination with a powerful magnet to show detailed images of internal areas of the body.
Palpable – When a prostate tumor is large enough to be detected by a DRE.
Pathology – A report of the type of cancer cells present that determines the stage and grade of the cancer.
Prostate – A gland in men that lies underneath the bladder and against the rectal wall. The prostate provides most of the ejaculatory fluid in semen.
Prostatitis – An infection of the prostate gland. Not cancerous.
PSA – Prostate Specific Antigen. A protein released into the bloodstream from the prostate. Any significant change in the PSA can indicate cancer. PSA changes can also indicate Prostatitis or BPH.
Radical Prostatectomy – The surgical removal of the entire prostate.
Staging – Along with grading, determines the cancer activity. Grading determines aggressiveness. Staging, using a system of either A-D, or 1-4, refers to the location and movement of the cancer.
TNM – One method of staging. TNM stands for tumor, node, metastases.
Tumor – A collection of cancer cells, whether malignant or benign.
Ultrasound – A procedure that bounces sound waves off of internal body parts. Commonly known for its’ use during pregnancy, it is also used for viewing other areas of the body.
Velocity – The rate of change in the PSA. The more rapid the change, the greater the chance of cancer being present.