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abdomen (AB-do-men): The part of the body
that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and
other organs.
adrenal glands (ah-DREE-nal): A
pair of small glands, one located on top of each kidney. The adrenal
glands produce sex hormones and hormones that help control heart rate,
blood pressure, the way the body uses food, and other vital functions.
aminoglutethimide: An anticancer
drug that belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal aromatase
inhibitors. Aminoglutethimide is used to decrease the production of sex
hormones (estrogen or testosterone) and suppress the growth of tumors that
need sex hormones to grow.
androgens (AN-dro-jens): A family of
hormones that promote the development and maintenance of male sex
characteristics.
antiandrogens (an-tee-AN-dro-jens):
Drugs used to block the production or interfere with the action of male
sex hormones.
anus (AY-nus): The opening of the rectum to the
outside of the body.
benign (beh-NINE): Not cancerous; does not
invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
benign prostatic
hyperplasia (hye-per-PLAY-zha): A benign (noncancerous) condition
in which an overgrowth of prostate tissue pushes against the urethra and
the bladder, blocking the flow of urine. Also called benign prostatic
hypertrophy or BPH.
bicalutamide: An anticancer drug that
belongs to the family of drugs called antiandrogens.
biological therapy
(by-o-LAHJ-i-kul): Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the
immune system to fight infection and disease. Also used to lessen side
effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also known as
immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy.
biopsy (BY-ahp-see): The removal of cells or
tissues for examination under a microscope. When only a sample of tissue
is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy or core biopsy.
When an entire tumor or lesion is removed, the procedure is called an
excisional biopsy. When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a
needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy or fine-needle aspiration.
bladder: The organ that stores urine.
brachytherapy (BRAKE-ih-THER-a-pee): A
procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires,
or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor. Also called internal
radiation, implant radiation, or interstitial radiation therapy.
buserelin: An anticancer drug that belongs
to the family of drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormones. In prostate
cancer therapy, buserelin blocks the production of testosterone in the
testicles.
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cancer: A term for diseases in which abnormal
cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and
can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of
the body.
chemotherapy (kee-mo-THER-a-pee):
Treatment with anticancer drugs.
clinical trial: A research study
that tests how well new medical treatments or other interventions work in
people. Each study is designed to test new methods of screening,
prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease.
cryosurgery (KRYE-o-SIR-jer-ee):
Treatment performed with an instrument that freezes and destroys abnormal
tissues. This procedure is a form of cryotherapy.
cystoscopy (sist-OSS-ko-pee): Examination
of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted instrument (called a
cystoscope) inserted into the urethra. Tissue samples can be removed and
examined under a microscope to determine whether disease is present.
digital rectal
examination: DRE. An examination in which a doctor inserts a
lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities.
dry orgasm: Sexual climax without the
release of semen.
ejaculation: The release of semen
through the penis during orgasm.
external radiation
(ray-dee-AY-shun): Radiation therapy that uses a machine to aim
high-energy rays at the cancer. Also called external-beam radiation.
finasteride: A drug used to reduce the
amount of male hormone (testosterone) produced by the body.
flutamide: An anticancer drug that belongs
to the family of drugs called antiandrogens.
gene: The functional and physical unit of
heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and
most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.
genitourinary system
(GEN-ih-toe-YOO-rin-air-ee): The parts of the body that play a role in
reproduction, getting rid of waste products in the form of urine, or both.
goserelin: A drug that belongs to the
family of drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues. Goserelin
is used to block hormone production in the ovaries or testicles.
grade: The grade of a tumor depends on how
abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the
tumor is likely to grow and spread. Grading systems are different for each
type of cancer.
hormonal therapy: Treatment of
cancer by removing, blocking, or adding hormones. Also called hormone
therapy or endocrine therapy.
hormones: Chemicals produced by glands in
the body and circulated in the bloodstream. Hormones control the actions
of certain cells or organs.
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imaging: Tests that produce pictures of
areas inside the body.
implant radiation
(ray-dee-AY-shun): A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in
needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near the
tumor. Also called
impotent (IM-po-tent): Unable to have an
erection adequate for sexual intercourse.
incision (in-SIH-zhun): A cut made in the
body during surgery.
incontinence (in-KAHN-tih-nens):
Inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder (urinary
incontinence) or the escape of stool from the rectum (fecal incontinence).
internal radiation
(ray-dee-AY-shun): A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in
needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near the
tumor. Also called brachytherapy, implant radiation, or interstitial
radiation therapy.
intravenous pyelogram
(in-tra-VEE-nus PYE-el-o-gram): IVP. A series of x-rays of the kidneys,
ureters, and bladder. The x-rays are taken after a dye is injected into a
blood vessel. The dye is concentrated in the urine, which outlines the
kidneys, ureters, and bladder on the x-rays.
ketoconazole: A drug that treats
infection caused by a fungus. It is also used as a treatment for prostate
cancer because it can block the production of the male sex hormone.
leuprolide: A drug that belongs to a
family of drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues. It is
used to block hormone production in the ovaries or testicles.
local therapy: Treatment that
affects cells in the tumor and the area close to it.
luteinizing
hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LOO-tin-eye-zing. . .AG-o-nist): LH-RH agonist. A drug that inhibits the secretion of sex
hormones. In men, LH-RH agonist causes testosterone levels to fall. In
women, LH-RH agonist causes the levels of estrogen and other sex hormones
to fall.
lymph node: A rounded mass of lymphatic
tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Also known as
a lymph gland. Lymph nodes are spread out along lymphatic vessels and
contain many lymphocytes, which filter the lymphatic fluid (lymph).
lymphatic system (lim-FAT-ik):
The tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells
that fight infection and other diseases. This system includes the bone
marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes and a network of thin tubes that
carry lymph and white blood cells. These tubes branch, like blood vessels,
into all the tissues of the body.
malignant (ma-LIG-nant): Cancerous; a
growth with a tendency to invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to
other parts of the body.
medical oncologist
(on-KOL-o-jist): A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating
cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and biological therapy. A
medical oncologist often serves as the main caretaker of someone who has
cancer and coordinates treatment provided by other specialists.
metastasis (meh-TAS-ta-sis): The spread
of cancer from one part of the body to another. Tumors formed from cells
that have spread are called "secondary tumors" and contain cells that are
like those in the original (primary) tumor. The plural is metastases.
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orchiectomy (or-kee-EK-toe-mee): Surgery
to remove one or both testicles.
pathologist (pa-THOL-o-jist): A doctor
who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
prostate gland (PROS-tate): A gland
in the male reproductive system just below the bladder. It surrounds part
of the urethra, the canal that empties the bladder and produces a fluid
that forms part of semen.
prostate-specific
antigen: PSA. A substance produced by the prostate that may be
found in an increased amount in the blood of men who have prostate cancer,
benign prostatic hyperplasia, or infection or inflammation of the
prostate.
prostatectomy (pros-ta-TEK-toe-mee):
An operation to remove part or all of the prostate. Radical (or total)
prostatectomy is the removal of the entire prostate and some of the tissue
around it.
prostatic acid
phosphatase (FOS-fa-tays): PAP. An enzyme produced by the
prostate. It may be found in increased amounts in men who have prostate
cancer.
radiation oncologist
(ray-dee-AY-shun on-KOL-o-jist): A doctor who specializes in using
radiation to treat cancer.
radiation therapy
(ray-dee-AY-shun): The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, neutrons,
and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may
come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy) or
from materials called radioisotopes. Radioisotopes produce radiation and
can be placed in or near the tumor or in the area near cancer cells. This
type of radiation treatment is called internal radiation therapy, implant
radiation, interstitial radiation, or brachytherapy. Systemic radiation
therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal
antibody, that circulates throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy.
rectum: The last 8 to 10 inches of the large
intestine.
recur: To occur again. Recurrence is the
return of cancer, at the same site as the original (primary) tumor or in
another location, after the tumor had disappeared.
risk factor: A habit, trait,
condition, or genetic alteration that increases a person's chance of
developing a disease.
scrotum: In males, the external sac that
contains the testicles.
semen: The fluid that is released through the
penis during orgasm. Semen is made up of sperm from the testicles and
fluid from the prostate and other sex glands.
seminal fluid: Fluid from the
prostate and other sex glands that helps transport sperm out of the man's
body during orgasm. Seminal fluid contains sugar as an energy source for
sperm.
sonogram (SON-o-gram): A computer picture
of areas inside the body created by bouncing sound waves off organs and
other tissues. Also called ultrasonogram or ultrasound.
sperm banking: Freezing sperm for
use in the future. This procedure can allow men to father children after
loss of fertility.
sperm retrieval: The doctor
removes sperm from a man's reproductive tract (testis or epididymis) using
a fine needle, biopsy gun, or other instrument.
stage: The extent of a cancer, especially
whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of
the body.
staging: Performing exams and tests to learn
the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease
has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
surgery: A procedure to remove or repair a
part of the body or to find out whether disease is present.
systemic therapy (sis-TEM-ik):
Treatment that uses substances that travel through the bloodstream,
reaching and affecting cells all over the body.
testicles (TES-tih-kuls): The two
egg-shaped glands found inside the scrotum. They produce sperm and male
hormones. Also called testes.
testosterone (tes-TOS-ter-own): A
hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of male sex
characteristics.
total androgen blockade:
Therapy used to eliminate male sex hormones (androgens) in the body. This
may be done with surgery, hormonal therapy, or a combination.
transurethral
resection of the prostate (TRANZ-yoo-REE-thral ree-SEK-shun):
Surgical procedure to remove tissue from the prostate using an instrument
inserted through the urethra. Also called TURP.
tumor (TOO-mer): An abnormal mass of tissue
that results from excessive cell division. Tumors perform no useful body
function. They may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
ultrasonography
(UL-tra-son-OG-ra-fee): A procedure in which sound waves (called
ultrasound) are bounced off tissues and the echoes are converted to a
picture (sonogram).
urethra (yoo-REE-thra): The tube through
which urine leaves the body. It empties urine from the bladder.
urologist (yoo-RAHL-o-jist): A doctor who
specializes in diseases of the urinary organs in females and the urinary
and sex organs in males.
vasectomy (vas-EK-toe-mee): An operation
to cut or tie off the two tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles.
watchful waiting: Closely
monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms
appear or change. Also called observation.
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