5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5AD): A male hormone that is active in the prostate and stimulates the growth of the prostate gland. Enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone into 5-dihydro-testosterone.
5-alpha-reductase (5AR): An enzyme that converts testosterone into 5-dihydro-testosterone.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors: A class of drugs that inhibit the conversion of testosterone into 5-dyhydrotestosterone; a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia; includes finasteride and dutasteride
Alpha blocker: alpha-adrenergic antagonist, alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, alpha-adrenergic blocker. An alpha blocker is any drug or other substance that blocks the chemical reaction pathway at alpha-adenergic receptors; includes cardura, minipress, and Hytrin
Adjuvant therapy: Additional treatment given after a primary treatment in order to maximize the chance of cure. This may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.
Alkaline Phosphatase: An enzyme that is produced by liver cells lining the collecting systems and bones. Its elevated level in blood indicates that prostate cancer has spread to the bones or liver.
Androgen: A male sex hormone. It is produced in the testes and controls the development or maintenance of masculine characteristics and the function of male sexual organs. It may be administered for cancer treatment, but also may stimulate some cancers, such as prostate cancer.
Angiogenesis: The formation of new blood vessels. It is a prerequisite to tumor growth.
Antiandrogens: Drugs used to block the production of androgens or to interfere with the body's ability to use androgens.
Apoptosis: Programmed cell death. Apoptosis is a normal component of the development and health of multicellular organisms. It is a type of cell death in response to intracellular and extracellular events and during apoptosis, cells die in a controlled, regulated fashion.
Axial Skeleton: Bones that form the axis of the skeleton including the skull, vertebrate, ribs and sternum.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): A benign (noncancerous) condition of the prostate in which overgrowth of prostate tissues push against the urethra and bladder, blocking the flow of urine.
(Bilateral) Hydronephrosis: Accumulation of urine due to an obstruction in the ureter.
Biopsy: A procedure to collect sample cells/tissues in order to examine them under microscopes for the presence of abnormal (or cancerous) cells/tissues.
Bladder: The organ that stores urine, which is collected in kidney. The bladder is connected to kidney through the ureter.
Bladder Calculi: An abnormal, solid mass, usually made of mineral salts, found in the bladder. It is also called a stone.
(Bladder)Contracture: An abnormal permanent contraction of the bladder muscle.
Bladder Tumor: An abnormal or excessive tissue growth that is caused by uncontrolled multiplication of the cells that line the inside of the bladder.
Bone scan: A technique used to create images of bone on computers and film. Radioactive material is injected into the body and this material is eventually absorbed into the bones. When the patient is placed through a scanner, the camera identifies areas where the radioactive marker is concentrated. The radioactive marker will be concentrated in any region where there is high bone turnover. A bone scan is normally used for Paget's disease, cancer, infections, joint disease, and fractures.
Brachytherapy: A minimally invasive surgical procedure in which seeds or pellets that emit radiation are implanted in the prostate to kill cancerous tissues. Seeds may be implanted permanently and are also known as seedpods. This option is usually used with prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate gland.
Calcification: Abnormal deposit of calcium and magnesium salt in tissue.
Carcinoma: Cancer cells that originate from tissue lining or epithelial tissues of organs, glands, or other body structures. These cells tend to metastasize to other areas of the body.
Catheter (urinary): A flexible tube placed in the bladder to drain urine. Also called a Foley catheter.
CAT SCAN (Computerized Axial Tomography Scan): A non-invasive procedure that takes cross-sectional (three-dimensional) images of the brain or other internal organs to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary x-ray. It is about 100 times more sensitive than a standard X-ray and can be given with or without contrast.
Coagulation: The process of blood clotting.
Chemotherapy: The use of chemical agents to treat or control disease. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment in which drugs travel through the body to kill cancerous cells.
Differentiation: The process of evaluating the difference between normal prostate cells and cancerous prostate cells. The ability of a tumor to mimic normal gland architecture is called its differentiation, and a tumor whose structure is nearly normal or well differentiated is probably not very aggressively malignant. Also called differential diagnosis.
Digital Rectal Examination: Rectal examination done by inserting a lubricated, gloved finger into a rectum. Physicians feel the prostate gland through the rectal wall and search for irregularities.
Diverticulum: A small sac pushing outward from the colon wall.
Early detection: Early detection of prostate cancer is vital to treatment. Several diagnostic and screening tools can help with early detection. These tools include: digital rectal exam, serum prostate specific antigen screening, transrectal ultrasonography and prostatic biopsy.
Endoscopy: During an endoscopy, a flexible instrument called the endoscope is inserted into the body through a natural opening such as the mouth or the anus. This instrument allows the physician to examine the interior of the body or specific internal organs.
External Sphincter: A layer of muscle, called the urogenital diaphragm supplies support for the pelvis and acts as the external urethral sphincter. It prevents the escape of urine from the body. It is controlled voluntarily.
External beam radiation: Beams of high-energy radiation, focused from outside the body, are directed towards a target, such as cancerous tissue, inside the body.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: A percutaneous procedure that uses a very thin needle (22 or 25 gauge) and a syringe to remove tissue. This tissue sample is sent to a pathology laboratory to analyze for cancer.
Ganglion Cells: Nerve cells, or neurons, formed outside the central nervous system.
Gleason grade: A system of describing the level of aggressiveness of prostate cancer based on the appearance of the cancer cells when they are observed under a microscope.
It evaluates how effectively cancer cells are able to structure themselves into glands resembling those of the normal prostate. The ability of a tumor to mimic normal gland architecture is called its differentiation, and a tumor whose structure is nearly normal or well differentiated is probably not very aggressively malignant.
Gleason score: A grading system for prostate carcinoma devised by Dr. Donald Gleason to predict the behavior of prostate cancer. It describes the distinct five patterns of prostate cancer cell growth based on the tumor gland made. The lower Gleason score means that cancer cells are very similar to normal cells, the higher Gleason score indicates that cancer cells are very different from normal cells.
Guided Biospy: A procedure to examine the prostate gland with ultrasound. An instrument is inserted into the rectum and releases ultrasound waves. The resulting sonographic image is then used to guide the biopsy.
Hematuria: The presence of blood in the urine. It may be caused by a number of disorders such as urinary tract infections or stones.
Hematuria, gross: Blood in the urine that is visible to the naked eye.
Hematuria, microscopic: Blood in the urine that can only be seen under a microscope.
Hormone therapy: The use of hormones, hormone analogs, and certain surgical techniques to treat disease (mostly cancer) either as monotherapy, or in combination with other hormones. Since prostate cancer is dependent on the male hormone (androgens) hormonal therapy can be a very effective treatment.
Hot flash: Sudden sensation of warmth in the face, neck, and upper body. It is often a side effect of hormone therapy.
Hyerplasia: An abnormal increase or excessive growth of cells leading to tissue or organ enlargement.
Laparoscopy: Surgical technique in which special telescopes and instruments are passed through the abdomen via small 5 - 10 mm puncture wounds rather than large incisions. This allows the surgeon to view the operative field on a monitor and to use the instruments without making large wounds.
Laparoscopic Lymphadenectomy: The removal of pelvic lymph nodes with a laparoscope through small incisions in the lower abdominal region
Leuteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH): A peptide that stimulates the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone. The leuteinizing hormones stimulate the growth and maturation of eggs in females and the release of androgens in males.
LHRH analog: A synthetic hormone that is chemically very similar to LHRH. It is administered to prevent the production of testosterone to treat prostate cancer.
Leuteinizing hormone: The hormone that stimulates the production of androgens in males.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan (MRI): An MRI scan `produces detailed images of areas of inside the body by using magnetism, radio waves, and a computer.
Metastasis: The process by which tumor cells spread to other parts of the body. Also, a tumor that develops away from the original site.
Microwave Treatment: A treatment that employs microwave technology to destroy certain accessible tumors.
(Mid) Prostatic Fossa: a concavity of a surface - muscle, tissue, or organ - near the prostate gland.
Necrosis: Changes due to death of cells or organs.
Neoadjuvant: When a treatment, such as chemotherapy is given prior to another form of treatment such as radiation therapy and/or surgery.
Nonsteroidal-Anti-infalamatory drug (NSAID): Relieves pain and suppresses inflammation in a matter similar to steroids but without any side effects. Studies suggest that NSAID may have an anti-cancer quality because they suppress the enzyme COX-2 (cyclo-oxygenase-2.)
(Nerve) Graft: Healthy nerves taken from one part to replace diseased or abnormal tissue removed from another part of the body.
Nerve Sparing Prostatectomy: Modified version of radical prostatectomy in which nerves that control erections are not removed.
Palliative treatment: Treatment that relieves symptoms, such as pain and blockage of urine flow, but it does not change a course of disease. The purpose is to improve the quality of the patient's life.
(Pelvic) Node: Small rounded mass (in pelvic area).
(Pelvic) Plexus: A complex network of nerve fibers in the pelvic region.
Percent free-PSA: Used to indicate how much PSA (prostate specific antigen) circulates alone or unbound with other blood proteins. The lower the free PSA, the higher the risk of prostate cancer
Photoselective Vaporization (PVP): PVP is a minimally invasive procedure in which a special high-energy laser is used to vaporize excess prostate tissue and also to seal the treated area. The procedure may be performed under local, spinal, or general anesthesia.
Prognosis: Probable outcome or prediction of course of a disease.
Prostate: A gland within a male reproductive system located below the bladder that produces a secretion that liquefies coagulated semen. The Prostate contracts during the ejaculation of seminal fluid.
Prostate Cancer: A slowly progressive cancer of the prostate gland that affects an increasing proportion of American males after the age of 50.
Prostatectomy: Major surgical removal or resection of prostate gland and perhaps some surrounding tissue.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): Protein exclusively produced in prostate gland. An elevated level of PSA indicates an abnormal condition of the prostate gland, either benign or malignant.
Prostadynia: Also known as prostatodynia or PD. Refers to the existence of symptoms of prostatitis without presence of infection or inflammation. It is not a true form of prostatitis. It is included in disorders of the prostate because its symptoms and treatments are very similar to those of nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP.)
Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland. Inflammation causes swelling of the gland and can cause pain and difficulty urinating.
PSA velocity (PSAV): Rate at which PSA increase or decrease. Higher PSAV indicates the possibility of either benign or malignant abnormalities of the prostate.
PVR (post void residual urine) : Urine that remains in the bladder after urination.
Testosterone: Male sex hormone or androgen chiefly produced in the testicles. It is responsible for male sexual characteristics. Chemically, testosterone is 17-beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-3-one.
TNM: A system for staging malignant neoplastic disease. TNM stands for Tumor, Nodes, Metastasis. However, the word Staging is used more widely today.
Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT): Minimally invasive procedure to treat BPH. The treatment involves heating the prostate to cause shrinkage of the prostate. This will lead to decreased pressure in the urethra and improved urination. Usually anesthesia is not needed for this procedure.
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP): A surgical treatment for BPH. A special instrument called a resectoscope is inserted into the urethra. An implement is fed through the resectoscope and is used to cut away and remove as much of the prostate gland as necessary.
Transrectal Ultrasound of the Prostate/ Transrectal Ultrasonography /(TRUS): During the procedure, a probe is inserted into the rectum, from which soundwaves are directed at the prostate. These soundwave echoes create an image of the prostate that can be used to visually inspect for abnormal conditions.
Tumor: A mass of abnormal tissue that results from excess cell division. It is a sign of inflammation and can be either benign or malignant.
Ultrasound: A diagnostic tool using high frequency sound waves. The echo created by the sound waves is changed via computer into images called a sonogram.
Urethral Stricture: Abnormal narrowing of the urethra.
Urinary System: All of the organs involved in secretion and elimination of urine.
Urodynamic: Related to the mechanism of filling and emptying of the bladder.
