NOTE:  BE sure to do a "Site Search" (above right) for any word you might want additional information on.  A word may be missing here but used on the web site.

C

CAB: complete androgen blockade. Also known as ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy), CHB (Combined Hormone Blockade), hormonal ablation therapy, hormonal therapy, or other similar names. Prostate-Help Web There are additional links on the Prostate-Help Web Page.

CANCER: The growth of abnormal cells in the body in an uncontrolled and disordered manner, invading surrounding tissues and sometimes spreading to distant sites within the body via the bloodstream and/or lymphatic system. Other

CaP: cancer of the prostate Prostate-Help Gateway

CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN (CEA): A biomarker of prostate cancer that may be expressed in prostate cancer variants associated with higher Gleason scores, for example, Gleason scores 8-10 may indicate that androgen-independent cells are present. Prostate-Help Web Other

CARCINOMA: Cancer which arises from epithelial (surface lining) cells. Examples: prostate carcinoma breast carcinoma, colonic carcinoma. Other

CASODEX: Brand name of an antiandrogen medication that functions by occupying and therefore blocking the androgen receptor, thus preventing natural androgens from stimulating cell growth. Prostate-Help Web PHID Other

CASTRATION: Removal of the testes - done in advanced prostate cancer as a type of hormonal ablation treatment. Now largely done by chemical castration. Synonym: Orchiectomy Other

CAT or CT SCAN (COMPUTERIZED AXIAL TOMOGRAPHY): An imaging method used to identify abnormalities by combining images from multiple X-rays under the control of a computer to produce cross-sectional or three-dimensional pictures of internal structures. Other

CATHETER: Hollow tube inserted into an organ. Examples: urinary catheter inserted through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine; warming catheter inserted during cryosurgery to protect the urethra from freezing during the operation.

CBC (COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT): Complete blood workup including white blood count, hematocrit, and platelet count. Other Other

cc (CUBIC CENTIMETERS): Used as a measurement of prostate gland volume or amount of prostate cancer; cubic centimeters are equivalent to grams (g) in determinations of prostate gland volume.

CDUS: color-flow Doppler ultrasound - an ultrasound imaging technology utilizing sound waves that can simultaneously show blood flow superimposed on detailed gray scale anatomic images - "power Doppler" and "tissue harmonic" are enhancements to basic CDU

CEA: carcinoembryonic antigen. Is a cell surface a-fetoprotein expressed by many different tumor types, including poorly differentiated PC. Prior to the advent of PSA elevated CEA was found in 30% of newly diagnosed prostate cancers. Moderately elevated CEA concentrations have been found only in patients with either "pure" or "predominantly" hormone insensitive disease (without soft tissue lesions) and particularly after suppression of hormone sensitive cell subpopulations. Prostate-Help Web

CGA: chromogranin A. There is a B, C, etc,. These "markers" are products of the tumor cell population and sometimes are clues as to the tumor taking on an identity that is associated more with certain clinical behavior, such as small cell prostate cancer. Such small cell tumors grow faster, involve liver, lung and lymph nodes in unusual sites, frequently don't express much PSA and have lytic bone lesions instead of dense blastic lesions, etc. CGA is an excellent marker for neuroendocrine tumors, particularly nonfunctioning tumors, and the measurement of CGA is also useful to detect prostatic carcinoma in patients whose PSA is not elevated." Prostate-Help Web

cGy (centiGray): A unit of measurement of radiation dose; 1 cGy equals the energy absorbed from ionizing radiation equal to 1 joule (a unit of energy) per kilogram. Was formerly called "RAD"

CHB: combined hormone blockade (CHT, CHB2, CHT2) - Also known as ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy), CAB (Combined Androgen Blockade), hormonal ablation therapy, hormonal therapy, or other similar names. Prostate-Help Web There are additional links on the Prostate-Help Web Page.

CHB2: CHB with 2 medications (e.g., Lupron + Casodex)

CHB3: CHB with 3 medications (e.g. CHB2 + Proscar)

CHEMO: chemotherapy

CHEMOPREVENTION: Preventing development or progression of cancer with drugs.

CHEMOTHERAPY: The use of pharmaceuticals or other chemicals to kill cancer cells. In many cases these agents may also damage normal cells in the process of killing cancer cells, resulting in various adverse side effects.

CHROMOGRANIN A (CGA): A biomarker of prostate cancer that may be expressed in prostate cancer variants associated with higher Gleason scores, that is, Gleason scores 8-10. Progressive increases of CGA in the blood indicate an aggressive clone of prostate cancer is present that exhibits an increased tendency to metastasize to lymph nodes, liver, and lungs. CGA is produced by the neuroendocrine cells associated with androgen independent PC. http://www.cancer.prostate-help.org/camark.htm

CHT: combined hormonal therapy or treatment (CHB) Also known as ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy), CAB (Combined Androgen Blockade), hormonal ablation therapy, hormonal therapy, or other similar names. Prostate-Help Web There are additional links on the Prostate-Help Web Page.

CLINICAL STAGE: Burden and extent of cancer based on physician judgment and diagnostic tests. Compare with pathologic stage. The TNM (tumor, nodes, metastases) system of classification for communicating extent of disease in a specific patient based on all available clinical information.

CLINICAL TRIAL: Planned experiment involving patients to test treatment.

COMBINATION HORMONE THERAPY: The use of multiple complementary treatments to halt androgen production, including orchiectomy and antiandrogens. Synonyms: total androgen blockade, total androgen deprivation. Also known as ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy), CAB (Combined Androgen Blockade), hormonal ablation therapy, hormonal therapy, or other similar names. Prostate-Help Web There are additional links on the Prostate-Help Web Page.

COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASOUND (CDU): an ultrasound imaging technology utilizing sound waves that can simultaneously show blood flow superimposed on detailed gray scale anatomic images - "power Doppler" and "tissue harmonic" are enhancements to basic CDU

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT): Non-invasive method of imaging the body using computer-generated methods. Synonyms: CT scan, CAT scan.

CONFORMAL THERAPY: Method of external-beam radiation therapy that uses a careful map of the individual patient’s prostate to optimize delivery of radiation to the prostate.

CORE INVOLVEMENT: Expressed as a percentage; indicates the amount of biopsy cores involved by prostate cancer divided by the total number of cores that have been sampled. If 12 cores of tissue were obtained and 6 showed PC, then the percentage core involvement would be 50%.

CORPUS CAVERNOSUM and CORPUS SPONGIOSUM: Penile chambers that engorge with blood to result in erection.

COX-2 (CYCLOOXYGENASE 2): The enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E2. Inhibition of COX-2 is now an important approach to reducing the production of unfavorable eicosanoids implicated in the cause and progression of malignancy and inflammatory disorders.

CP: capsular penetration

CPA: cyproterone acetate

CRYO: cryotherapy, cryoablation, cryosurgery

CRYOPROBES: The hollow probes used to freeze tissue during a cryosurgery procedure.

CRYOSURGERY: Treatment which freezes the prostate with liquid nitrogen-filled probes to kill cancer cells. Synonyms: cryoablation, cryotherapy.

CS: clinical stage

CT SCAN: : Non-invasive method of imaging the body using computer-generated methods. Synonyms: Computed Tomography scan, CAT scan. Cure: Treatment which results in complete destruction of cancer.

CYSTOSCOPE: Tubal instrument used to visually inspect the bladder and urethra.

D

DEBULK: Surgical method to decrease the volume of cancer in patients in whom the cancer can’t be completely removed.

DEDIFFERENTIATION: Relatively more primitive in appearance and function than well-differentiated cells that, by contrast, are mature and able to function properly. As the disease progresses, cancer cells become more dedifferentiated (i.e., primitive) than normal cells, losing the characteristics that normal cells possess.

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS:(DVT) A blood clot (thrombus) that develops in a deep vein, usually in the leg. The are two types of veins in the legs: deep and superficial. The deep veins pass through the centre of the leg, surrounded by the muscles. It’s here that DVTs most often develop. Less commonly DVTs occur in the deep veins of the arm or pelvis. Other

DES: Diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic estrogen. Frequently used to treat prostate cancer and when given with ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) it helps protect the bones from degrading.

DEXA SCAN: An imaging procedure used to evaluate bone mineral density and evaluate the status of bone integrity as regards a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis. The DEXA may understate the true extent of abnormality by attributing unrelated conditions such as arthritis and vascular calcifications to normal bone density.

DHEA: dihydroepiandrosterone. An adrenal androgen. DHEA levels decline with age, yet prostate gland enlargement and cancers increase with age. It is possible that DHEA, being a weak androgen, can actually attach to and block testosterone or DHT receptors on prostate tissue, thus preventing the influence by more powerful androgens

DHEA-S: DHEA-sulfate

DHT: Dihydrotestosterone, a naturally-occurring androgen. A male hormone five times more potent than testosterone; DHT is converted from testosterone within the prostate and in other tissues by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.

DIAGNOSIS: The evaluation of signs, symptoms, and tests to determine physical and biological causes of these signs and symptoms and evaluate whether a specific disease or disorder is involved.

DIFFERENTIATION: A measure of the similarity to normal benign mature cells. Example: Well differentiated cancer is low grade cancer.

DIGITAL RECTAL EXAMINATION (DRE): The use by a physician of a lubricated and gloved finger inserted into the rectum to feel for abnormalities of the prostate and rectum.

DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE (DHT): A male hormone five times more potent than testosterone; DHT is converted from testosterone within the prostate and in other tissues by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. Naturally-occurring androgen produced from testosterone by 5-alpha reductase.

DIPLOID: Cells having one complete set of 46 normally paired chromosomes, that is, a normal amount of DNA. Diploid cancer cells grow relatively slowly and usually respond well to androgen deprivation therapy.

DNA (DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID): The basic biologically active chemical that defines the physical development and growth of nearly all living organisms; a complex protein that is the carrier of genetic information.

DNA PLOIDY ANALYSIS: Measure of the amount of DNA in cells. If abnormally high, DNA ploidy suggest genetic abnormality, one measure of malignancy and cancer aggressiveness. . DOUBLING TIME: The interval during which cancer volume doubles.

DOWNREGULATING (DOWNREGULATION): Turning off a mechanism of action in the body at the biochemical level.

DRE: Digital Rectal Examination, the diagnostic evaluation of the prostate, rectum, and anus by physician palpation using a lubricated gloved finger.

DUTASTERIDE (AVODART): A 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that prevents the conversion of testosterone to the five times more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Unlike Proscar, which blocks only 5-alpha reductase Type II, dutasteride also blocks 5-alpha reductase Type I.

DVT: Deep Vein Thrombosis - A blood clot (thrombus) that develops in a deep vein, usually in the leg. The are two types of veins in the legs: deep and superficial. The deep veins pass through the centre of the leg, surrounded by the muscles. It’s here that DVTs most often develop. Less commonly DVTs occur in the deep veins of the arm or pelvis. Other

DX: diagnosis

DXM: dexamethasone (Decadron)

DYSPLASIA: Precancerous abnormality of cells, characterized by abnormal size, shape, and configuration of cells.

E

EBR: External Beam Radiation of any kind. Could be the 4 Box Square, 3dEBRT, IMRT, neuron beam, etc.

EBRT: External Beam Radiation Therapy - This refers to any type of external beam that is used to treat cancer. Could be the 4 Box Square, 3dEBRT, IMRT, neuron beam, etc.

ECE: Extra Capsular Extension - The penetration of the cancer bulging out through the outer wall of the prostate gland. This is still classified as localized cancer and does not mean that the cancer has spread.

ECP: Extra Capsular Penetration - same as ECE above.

ED: Erectile Dysfunction

EJACULATE: Semen release during orgasm.

EJACULATION: The release of semen through the penis during orgasm.

EJACULATORY DUCTS: Paired anatomic tubes that run through the prostate from the seminal vesicles to the prostatic urethra, serving as conduits for sperm and fluids from the testicles during sexual activity.

ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

ENDOCRINE GLAND: Any of various glands producing hormonal secretions that pass directly into the bloodstream. Examples of endocrine glands include the thyroid, parathyroids, anterior and posterior pituitary, pancreas, adrenals, pineal, and gonads.

ENDORECTAL MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate using a probe inserted into the rectum.

ENZYME: Any of a group of chemical substances that are produced by living cells and cause particular chemical reactions to happen while not being changed themselves.

EPIDIDYMIS: Storage site for sperm produced by the testicles which connects to vas deferens.

EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA: A form of regional anesthesia in which the numbing drug is injected into the tissue surrounding the dura, the covering of the spinal cord.

EPITHELIAL CELL: Type of cell which lines hollow organs, ducts, and glands. Example: prostatic epithelial cells produced prostate-specific antigen.

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION (ED): Abnormality of erection.

ESTRADIOL: A naturally occurring byproduct of cholesterol metabolism (by way of testosterone) and is vital to the maintenance of fertility and secondary sex characteristics in females. See Estradiol description

ESTROGEN: Female hormone.

EULEXIN: The brand name of an antiandrogen that blocks the androgen receptor and prevents testosterone and/or DHT from stimulating cell growth.

EXBT: external beam therapy

EXCRETORY UROGRAM: Imaging test to visualize the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra by injecting a radio-opaque fluid intravenously. Synonym: Intravenous pyelogram, IVP.

EXPECTANT MANAGEMENT: Conservative therapy of prostate cancer involving careful monitoring. Synonyms: Deferred therapy, watchful waiting. EXRT: external radiation therapy

EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY (EBRT): A form of radiation therapy in which the radiation is delivered by a machine directed at the area to be radiated as opposed to radiation given within the target tissue, such as brachytherapy.

EXTRACAPSULAR EXTENSION: A disease status in prostate cancer in which the cancer has penetrated the outer shell or capsule of the prostate and extends into the periprostatic tissue.

F

FALSE NEGATIVE: Erroneous diagnostic finding that something is not true when it actually is true. Example: A patient with a low serum PSA level (below 4 ng/mL.) is thought to be free of cancer, but actually has cancer (false-negative PSA).

FALSE POSITIVE: Erroneous diagnostic finding that something is true when it actually is not true: Example: A patient with a high PSA (above 4 ng./mL) is thought to have cancer, but actually does not have cancer (false-positive PSA).

FINASTERIDE (PROSCAR): An inhibitor of the 5-alpha-reductase Type II enzyme, which converts testosterone to the five times more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT); used to treat BPH and PC.

FLOW CYTOMETRY: Diagnostic test to determine DNA content of cancer cells.

FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH): A hormone produced in the pituitary gland that, in males, stimulates cells (Sertoli cells) in the testicles to make sperm; may be a factor in prostate cancer growth because FSH receptors have been identified on prostate cancer cells.

FREE PSA: PSA unbound to any major protein; free PSA relates to benign prostate growth. The percentage of free PSA is one indicator of whether or not prostate cancer is likely present.

FREE RADICALS: Substances that damage cell membranes and disrupt the integrity of the cell; reactive oxygen species (ROS).

FREE TESTOSTERONE:  Only about 2 percent of the total testosterone in the plasma of men is free or nonprotein bound; about 1 percent in women. In most men and women, more than 50 percent of total circulating testosterone is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and most of the rest is bound to albumin. It is only the free or nonprotein bound testosterone which is the hormonally active form, able to interact with cellular hormone receptors. SHBG-bound testosterone is not readily available for intracellular complex formation because of SHBG's high binding affinity for testosterone.

FREQUENCY: The need to urinate often.

FROZEN SECTION: Diagnostic test for intraoperative evaluation of tissue to determine the presence or extent of cancer. The pathologist snap-freezes the tissue, cuts it into thin slices, and examines it under the microscope, providing the results to the surgeon to modify the operation as appropriate.

G

GAMMA-LINOLENIC ACID (GLA): One of the building blocks of eicosanoids that is metabolized to DGLA. The pathway that is taken after metabolism to DGLA is either toward AA and the unfavorable eicosanoids or toward the production of good eicosanoids such as PGA1 and PGA2.

GAMMA-TOCOPHEROL ISOMER: A component of vitamin E.

GENERAL ANESTHESIA: Treatment that decreases or eliminates pain, usually associated with a surgical procedure, in which the patient is put to sleep during surgery.

GG: Gleason's grade

GLAND VOLUME: The volume of the prostate gland in cubic centimeters or grams. (Both units of measurement, cubic centimeters and grams, yield the same result.)

GLAND: (1) Organ that secretes hormones or fluids. Example: prostate, breast, adrenal gland. (2) Microscopic structures composed of epithelial cells that secrete hormones or fluids. Example: prostatic glands produced prostate-specific antigen.

GLEASON GRADE: After Donald Gleason, M.D. who developed the Gleason grading system as a tool to profile the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. A number from 1 to 5 that describes one of the two most predominant tissue patterns seen in the microscopic analysis of glandular architecture. The primary grade is the most predominant pattern, comprising 51% to 95% of the specimen, while the secondary grade comprises 5-49%.

GLEASON SCORE (GS): The most common method of grading prostate cancer based on the Veterans Administration Cooperative Urologic Research Group study from the 1960s and 1970s; named after its creator, retired pathologist Donald F. Gleason. Gleason score refers to the combination of the two most common patterns present in the cancer, the primary and secondary patterns. The pathologist determines the grades by studying the cancer tissue specimen and assigns a primary grade between 1 (well _differentiated) and 5 (poorly differentiated) and then adds the two grades together to produce the Gleason sum or score. For example, if a pathologist assigns the primary pattern a grade of 3 and the secondary pattern a grade of 4, the combined Gleason score would be 3 + 4 = 7. The lowest grade cancer is Gleason score 2 (1 + 1 = 2), and the highest grade is 10 (5 + 5 = 10).

GLYCEMIC INDEX (GI): A measurement of the rate of carbohydrate entry into the bloodstream.

GLYCEMIC LOAD (GL): The amount of insulin-stimulating carbohydrate multiplied by the glycemic index of the carbohydrate. GNRH: genadotropin-releasing hormone

GRADE: Measure of cancer aggressiveness based on the microscopic analysis of cancer . It is determined by the pathologist according to the shape, size, and arrangement of the cancer cells in the tissue specimen. Low grade cancer, also known as well differentiated cancer, resembles normal cells but shows some abnormalities. The higher grade the cancer is, the more aggressive and malignant it is. In poorly differentiated cancer, the tumor cells and glands form shapeless sheets of cells.

GROWTH FACTOR: Protein that promotes growth of cells.

GS: Gleason's score

GYNECOMASTIA: Non-cancerous male breast enlargement, usually resulting from hormone therapy.