Download Glossary of Terms

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Glossary of Terms
Prostate Module
Adenocarcinoma Cancer originating in glandular epithelium lining internal
organs such as the prostate or pancreas.
Brachytherapy
Internal radiation treatment achieved by inserting
radioactive sources directly into or near a tumour; also
called internal radiation, implant radiation, or interstitial
radiation therapy.
Cancer
A malignant and invasive growth or tumor caused by
abnormal and uncontrolled cell division. Cancer has the
potential to spread to other parts of the body via local
extension, the lymphatic system, or the blood stream.
Digital Rectal
An examination for abnormalities of organs or other
Exam (DRE)
structures in the pelvis and lower abdomen.
Etiology
The cause or origin of disease.
Gleason Score
A system for grading prostate cancer. The Gleason
grading system assigns a grade to each of the two
largest areas of cancer in the tissue samples. Grades
range from 1 to 5, with 1 being the least aggressive and
5 the most aggressive. Grade 3 tumours seldom have
metastases, but metastases are common with grade 4
or grade 5.
The two grades are then added together to produce a
Gleason score. A score of 2 - 4 is considered low grade;
5 - 7, intermediate grade; and 8 - 10, high grade. A
tumour with a low Gleason score typically grows slowly
enough that it may not pose a significant threat to the
patient in his lifetime.
Hormone
The removal or destruction of hormones or their
ablation
function. The goal of hormone therapy such as androgen
deprivation therapy (ADT) or androgen suppression
therapy is to lower levels of the male hormones
(androgens, mainly testosterone) in the body.
Androgens, produced mainly in the testicles, stimulate
prostate cancer cells to grow. Lowering androgen levels
often makes prostate cancers shrink or grow more
slowly.
Metastasis
The spread of cancerous cells from the initial area to
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other parts of the body. A tumour formed by cells that
have spread is called a “metastatic tumour” or a
“metastasis”. A metastatic tumour contains cells that
are like those in the original (primary) tumour. The
plural form of metastasis is metastases.
Nomogram
The Prostate Nomogram is a computerized tool that
helps physicians and patients decide which treatment
approach will result in the greatest benefit. A
combination of disease factors including stage of the
cancer, prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, biopsy
pathology, use of hormone therapy, and radiation
dosage are incorporated into the nomogram.
Prostatectomy
Excision of part or all of the prostate gland.
PSA (ProstateA protease secreted by the epithelial cells of the
specific antigen) prostate; PSA is used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer
since its concentration in the blood serum tends to be
proportional to the clinical stage of the disease.
Radiation
The medical use of high energy ionizing radiation from
therapy
sources such as X rays, cobalt or radium to kill or shrink
(Radiotherapy)
malignant cells.
Radical
Removal of the entire prostate gland, as well as some
prostatectomy
surrounding tissues and structures; typically, this
surgery is done if it appears the cancer has not spread
outside the prostate.
Side effects
Symptoms directly related to treatment, such as nausea
resulting from radiation treatment of the stomach. Side
effects are considered acute if they occur within the first
six months after treatment. Symptoms persisting over a
longer period of time are considered chronic.
Staging
Assessing the extent of the primary tumour and whether
there is spread of cancer to the draining lymph nodes or
distant body sites.
Transition zone
The innermost part of the prostate gland surrounding
the urethra. The transition zone, along with the central
zone, tends to enlarge as men pass age 40. Because of
the proximity, to the urethra, such enlargement can
cause urination or ejaculation difficulties. The transition
zone makes up about 5% of the glandular volume and is
the site of about 10% of prostate cancers.
Transrectal
The use of sound waves to create a computerized image
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Ultrasound
(TRUS)
of the prostate in order to detect abnormal prostate
growth, guide a biopsy of an abnormal prostate area,
and facilitate prostate cancer staging. Also called
endorectal ultrasound.
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