What does it all mean? 🤓
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, there are so many medical terms thrown around and most people don't have the bandwidth to ask, "What does that mean?"
Here is an A-Z list of cancer terms you need to know!
Hormone therapy drugs lower estrogen levels in the body by blocking aromatase, an enzyme that converts other hormones into estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors are used to treat hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
Axillary Lymph Nodes
The lymph nodes in the underarm area.
Adjuvant (Systemic) Therapy
Treatment given in addition to surgery and radiation therapy to get rid of breast cancer cells that may have spread from the breast to other parts of the body. It may include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and/or HER2-targeted therapy.
Aesthetic Flat Closure
Surgery done after a mastectomy to create a smooth chest wall that appears flat. Extra skin, fat, and other tissue in the breast area may be removed. This surgery is an option for people who wish to “go flat” after a mastectomy. It may also be done if a breast implant is removed (an implant that was part of breast reconstruction after a mastectomy).
Alternative Therapy
Any therapy used instead of standard medical treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. Alternative therapies are different from complementary and integrative therapies, which are used in addition to standard treatments. Alternative therapies have not been shown to be effective in treating breast cancer, so it’s not safe to use them.
Benign
Not cancerous. Does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy
Surgery where both breasts are removed to prevent breast cancer from developing.
Removal of tissue to be tested for cancer cells.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes (BReast CAncer genes)
Genes that help limit cell growth. A mutation (change) in one of these genes increases a person’s risk of breast, ovarian, and certain other cancers.
Breast Density
A measure used to describe the relative amounts of fat and tissue in the breasts as seen on a mammogram.
Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS®)
A system developed by the American College of Radiology to provide a standard way to describe findings on a mammogram.
Breast Tomosynthesis (3D Digital Mammography, Digital Tomosynthesis)
A tool that uses a digital mammography machine to take multiple 2-dimensional (2D) X-ray images of the breast. Computer software combines the multiple 2D images into a 3-dimensional (3D) image.
Calcifications
Deposits of calcium in the breast that appear as bright, white spots on a mammogram. Most calcifications are not cancer. However, tight clusters or lines of tiny calcifications (called microcalcifications) can be a sign of breast cancer.
Carcinoma in Situ (inSitu Carcinoma)
A condition where abnormal cells are found in the milk ducts or lobules of the breast, but not in the surrounding breast tissue. In situ means “in place.”
Clinical Trials
Research studies that test the benefits of possible new ways to detect, diagnose, treat or prevent disease. People volunteer to take part in these studies.
Complementary Therapies (Integrative Therapies)
Therapies (such as acupuncture or massage) are used in addition to standard medical treatments. Complementary therapies are not used to treat cancer, but they may help improve the quality of life and relieve some side effects of treatment or the cancer itself. When complementary therapies are combined with standard medical care, they are often called integrative therapies.
Complex Cyst
A fluid-filled sac. A breast ultrasound finds the cyst has thick walls and contains some solid matter. A biopsy is needed to confirm that a complex cyst is benign (not cancer).
Complicated Cyst
A fluid-filled sac. A breast ultrasound finds small echoes in the cyst, but the cyst only contains fluid. A biopsy may be done to confirm a complicated cyst is benign (not cancer).
Cording
A condition that may occur after surgery to the lymph nodes in the underarm area (axillary nodes). The lymph vessels that had been connected to the removed lymph nodes become tight and the tissue can thicken and look like cords under the skin. Cording can be treated.
Core Needle Biopsy
A needle biopsy that uses a hollow needle to remove samples of tissue from an abnormal area in the breast.
Diagnostic Mammogram
A mammogram is used to check symptoms of breast cancer (such as a lump) or an abnormal finding on a screening mammogram or clinical breast exam. It involves two or more views of the breast.
Ductal Carcinoma inSitu (DCIS, Intraductal Carcinoma)
A non-invasive breast cancer that begins in the milk ducts of the breast but has not invaded nearby breast tissue. Also called stage 0 or pre-invasive breast carcinoma.
Estrogen Receptors
Special proteins in cells that estrogen hormones attach to. A high number of estrogen receptors in a breast cancer cell often means the cancer cell needs estrogen to grow.
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA, Fine Needle Biopsy)
A biopsy procedure that uses a thin, hollow needle to remove a sample of cells from the abnormal area of the breast.
Gene Mutation
Any change in the DNA (the information contained in a gene) of a cell. Gene mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect.
Genetic Counseling
A discussion between a genetic counselor or other trained health professional and a person concerned about inherited gene mutations related to health risks. The person’s personal and family health history is discussed. Genetic counseling helps determine whether or not genetic testing is appropriate. The risks and benefits of genetic testing are also discussed.
Genetic Susceptibility (Genetic Predisposition)
An increased likelihood or chance of developing a disease due to specific changes in a person’s genes passed on from either parent.
Genetic Testing (Germline Testing)
Analyzing DNA to look for an inherited gene mutation in a person that may show an increased risk for developing a specific disease.
HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2, HER2/neu, erbB2)
A protein involved in cell growth and survival that appears on the surface of some breast cancer cells. HER2-negative breast cancers have little or no HER2 protein. HER2-positive breast cancers have a lot of HER2 protein. HER2-positive tumors can be treated with HER2-targeted therapies, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin).
HER2-Low Metastatic Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancers with tumor cells that have low, but detectable levels of HER2 expression (defined by an immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 1+ or2+).
HER2-TargetedTherapies
Drugs designed to target and treat HER2-positive breast cancers. The breast cancers have a lot of HER2 protein on the surface of their cells. Trastuzumab(Herceptin) is an example of a HER2-targeted therapy.
Immunotherapy
Therapies that use the immune system to fight cancer. These therapies target something specific to the biology of the cancer cell, as opposed to chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly dividing cells. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is an example of a checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy drug used to treat breast cancer.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)
A rare, aggressive form of invasive breast cancer. Its main symptoms are swelling (inflammation) and redness of the breast. The skin on the breast may look dimpled, like the skin of an orange, and may be warm to the touch.
Invasive Breast Cancer
Cancer that has spread from the original location (milk ducts or lobules) into the surrounding breast tissue and possibly into the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. Invasive ductal cancer begins in the milk ducts. Invasive lobular cancer begins in the lobules of the breast.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS, Lobular Neoplasia in Situ)
A condition where abnormal cells grow in the lobules of the breast. LCIS increases the risk of breast cancer.
Lump
Any mass in the breast or elsewhere in the body.
Lumpectomy (Breast Conserving Surgery)
Breast surgery that removes only the tumor and a small rim of normal tissue around it, leaving most of the breast skin and tissue in place.
Lymph Nodes (Lymph Glands)
Small groups of immune cells that act as filters for the lymphatic system. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the underarms, groin, neck, chest, and abdomen.
Shows whether or not cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Lymph node-positive means the lymph nodes contain cancer (the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes). Lymph node-negative means the lymph nodes do not contain cancer.
Lymphatic System
The network of lymph nodes and vessels in the body.
Lymphedema
Swelling due to poor draining of lymph fluid that can occur after surgery to remove lymph nodes or after radiation therapy to the area. Most often occurs in the upper limbs (arm, hands, or fingers), but can occur in other parts of the body.
Surgical removal of the breast. The exact procedure depends on the diagnosis.
Metastatic Breast Cancer
Breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other organs in the body (most often the bones, lungs, liver, or brain). Metastatic breast cancer is not a specific type of breast cancer, but rather the most advanced stage (stage IV) of breast cancer.
Naturopathy (Naturopathic Medicine)
A medical system based on a belief in using natural elements to maintain health and to help the body heal itself. It includes nutrition and massage.
Non-Invasive
1. In treatment, describes a procedure that doesn’t penetrate the skin (or anybody opening) with a needle or other instrument.
2. In breast cancer pathology, describes a cancer that has not spread beyond the milk ducts or lobules where it began.
Oncologist
The physician in charge of planning and overseeing cancer treatment.
Oophorectomy
Surgical removal of the ovaries.
Pathologist
The physician who uses a microscope to study the breast tissue and lymph nodes removed during biopsy or surgery and determines whether or not the cells contain cancer.
Patient Navigator
A person who works to help patients effectively navigate a fragmented healthcare system by removing an individual’s barriers to quality care.
Prophylactic Mastectomy
Preventive surgery in which one or both breasts are removed to prevent breast cancer. When both breasts are removed, the procedure is called bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.
Short for “radiation absorbed dose”. This term describes the amount of radiation absorbed by the tissues. One RAD is equal to one centigram.
Radiation Oncologist
A physician specializing in the treatment of cancer using targeted, high-energy X-rays.
Radiation Therapy (Radiotherapy)
Treatment given by a radiation oncologist that uses targeted, high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells.
Radical Mastectomy (Halsted Radical)
Surgical removal of the breast, chest muscles, and underarm lymph nodes. Used only when the breast tumor has spread to the chest muscles.
Radiologist
A physician who reads and interprets X-rays, mammograms, and other scans related to diagnosis or follow-up. Radiologists also perform needle biopsy and wire localization procedures.
Screening Mammogram
A test used to find early signs of breast cancer in a woman who does not have any known breast problems or symptoms.
Sentinel Node Biopsy
The surgical removal and testing of the sentinel node(s) (first axillary node (s) in the underarm area filtering lymph fluid from the tumor site) to see if the node(s) contains cancer cells.
Stage of Cancer (Cancer Stage)
A way to indicate the extent of the cancer within the body. The most widely used staging method for breast cancer is the TNM system, which uses Tumor size, lymph Node status, and the absence or presence of Metastases in addition to other factors to classify breast cancers.
Staging (Cancer Staging)
Doing tests to learn the extent of cancer within the body (the cancer stage 0 to IV). Knowing the cancer stage helps determine what treatment is needed and how effective this treatment may be in getting rid of the cancer and prolonging life.
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
A hormone therapy drug (taken in pill form) used to treat early and advanced-stage breast cancers that are hormone receptor-positive. These breast cancers need estrogen to grow. Tamoxifen stops or slows the growth of these tumors by blocking estrogen from attaching to hormone receptors in the cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy
Drug therapies designed to attack specific molecules or proteins involved in the development of cancer. HER2-targeted therapies, such as trastuzumab(Herceptin), and PI3 kinase inhibitors, such as alpelisib (Piqray), are examples of targeted therapies used to treat breast cancer.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
A breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone-receptor-negative, and HER2-negative.
Triple Positive Breast Cancer
A breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-positive, progesterone-receptor-positive and HER2-positive.
Tumor Marker
A substance found in blood that may be a sign of metastatic breast cancer. Tumor markers are found in both normal cells and cancer cells, but they are made in larger amounts by cancer cells. A tumor marker may help indicate metastatic breast cancer treatment activity. The term tumor marker may also be used more broadly to refer to characteristics of tumor cells such as hormone receptors.
Ultrasound (Sonogram)
A diagnostic test that uses sound waves to make images of tissues and organs. Tissues of different densities reflect sound waves differently.
And there you go! Now, you are in more control of your own breast health.
Your Breast Friend,
Edie A. Tolbert
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