Featured Terms
Ablation
The removal of small amounts of tissue from the body using surgery, radiation, or multiple other technologies.
Biopsy
An examination of tissue removed from the body to understand the presence, cause, or extent of a disease.
Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases where cells grow abnormally and often invade other parts of the body. More than 100 types of cancer affect humans.
Enzyme
Enzymes are molecules that accelerate chemical processes in the cells.
A
Ablation
The removal of small amounts of tissue from the body using surgery, radiation, or multiple other technologies.
Anus
The opening at the end of the digestive tract through which solid waste leaves the body.
B
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
An enlarged prostate gland not caused by illness or trauma.
Biopsy
An examination of tissue removed from the body to understand the presence, cause, or extent of a disease.
Bladder
A sac in the human body that collects urine for excretion.
Brachytherapy
A form of radiotherapy where small radioactive implants are placed directly into the affected tissue.
C
Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases where cells grow abnormally and often invade other parts of the body. More than 100 types of cancer affect humans.
Computerized Tomography Scan (CT Scan)
A computerized tomography (CT) scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images, or slices, of the bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues inside your body.
Contrast Dye
An injectable fluid that improves the visibility of internal organs during imaging. Different types of imaging use different contrast agents.
Cryosurgery
Not a surgery in the traditional sense, cryosurgery is a procedure that applies intense cold locally to destroy cancer cells.
Cryotherapy
The use of low temperatures in medical therapy.
D
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
During a DRE, the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities in the prostate. This may feel uncomfortable, but it is a quick test that can detect tumors early.
Dosimetrist
A medical professional who calculates precise doses of radiation for treatments.
E
Enzyme
Enzymes are molecules that accelerate chemical processes in the cells.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
ED is the inability to get or maintain an erection.
G
General Practitioner (GP)
The family or community doctor people see for routine care. A GP may refer patients to a specialist if they suspect prostate issues.
Gland
A gland is an organ that produces and secretes a chemical substance.
Gleason Score
A system of grading and staging prostate cancer based on evaluating changes in tissue samples.
I
Immunotherapy
Stimulating the body's own immune response to fight disease.
Indolent Tumor
A slow-growing tumor that is not currently problematic.
L
Laparoscopic
A surgical technique in which procedures are performed through a small incision, using a tiny camera for visibility.
Libido
Sexual desire.
Lymph Nodes
Small organs in the lymphatic system that filter lymph and produce white blood cells.
M
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is an imaging scan that uses a powerful magnet field, radio frequency pulses, and a computer to produce images of the body.
Medical Oncologist
A doctor who specializes in medical cancer treatments like chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
Metastasis
The development of a secondary growth away from the primary site of cancer.
Metastasized
Spread to other sites in the body via metastasis.
P
Partial Prostatectomy
Surgical removal of part of the prostate. Also called a "focal prostatectomy."
Pathologist
A doctor who focuses on the diagnoses of disease based on laboratory analysis of tissue and bodily fluids.
Penile Bulb
The bottom portion, or base, of the penis, composed of a large bundle of tissue.
Perineum
The area between the anus and the scrotum (in men) and anus and vulva (in women).
Prostate
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis. The prostate produces a fluid that protects and nourishes sperm. During ejaculation, this seminal fluid is expelled, with sperm, as semen.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
A substance produced by the prostate that increases when the prostate is irritated due to illness. It may be evidence of benign prostate enlargement (BPH), prostatitis, or prostate cancer.
Prostate-Specific Antigen Test (PSA Test)
A blood test for PSA level.
Prostatectomy
Surgical removal of all, or part, of the prostate.
Prostatitis
Swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, often due to bacterial infection.
R
Radiation
High-energy particles that cause ionization and tissue damage.
Radiation Oncologist
A doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation.
Radical Prostatectomy
Surgical removal of the entire prostate.
Radiologist
A medical professional who performs imaging tests and interprets the findings. Some radiologists perform procedures to treat disease.
Radiotherapy
Treatment that uses ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells. There are multiple forms of radiotherapy that work for different circumstances or types of cancer.
Rectum
The final section of the large intestine, which ends at the anus.
S
Sedative
A category of drugs that calm and relieve anxiety. Some sedatives are used to put people to sleep for procedures.
Semen
A white, sperm-containing, fluid produced by the male reproductive system during ejaculation.
Seminal Fluid
The fluid component of semen (not including sperm).
Seminal Vesicles
Small glands that sit on top of the prostate that add nutrient fluid to semen.
T
Testosterone
A sex hormone secreted by the testes.
Transrectal
Across or through the rectum.
Tumor
A lump or swelling caused by abnormal growth of cells. Not all tumors are cancerous.
U
Ureters
The duct urine passes through between the kidneys and bladder.
Urethra
The duct urine (and semen for men) passes through on the way out of the bladder.
Urinary Tract
The organs of the body that produce, store, and discharge urine.
Urologist
A doctor who specializes in the urinary and male reproductive system.