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Breast Cancer Terminology

© Linda Bily

Terminology can be one of the stumbling blocks in your quest for information about breast cancer. Whether you are newly diagnosed and want general information, are deciding between different therapies, or just want to keep up with the latest in breast cancer, you need to know the "lingo" to stay on top of the situation. A definition of every word that you could possibly need to know is not possible. I will attempt to give short, easy to understand definitions, for the most basic of breast cancer terms.

Adenocarcinoma - cancer in gland forming tissue. (Breast cancer is a form of adenocarcinoma)

Adjuvant therapy - drugs used in combination with either surgery and/or radiation to treat cancer

Alopecia - hair loss

Amenorrhea - absence of menstrual period

Angiogenesis - growth of new blood vessels

Apoptosis - cell death

Atypical cell - abnormal cell

Axilla - armpit

Axillary lymph node dissection - removal of lymph nodes in the armpit

Benign - non-cancerous

Bilateral - both sides

Biopsy - removing tissue

CA# - Blood substance used as a tumor marker (generally referred to as a blood test to detect presence of cancer; is not a diagnostic test (usually used as follow-up for breast cancer patients) Elevated numbers may be present in women with benign disease.

Calcification - samll calcium deposit, which can be seen on mammogram

Cancer - Term for a lot of diseases which are characterized by abnormal/uncontrollable cell growth, which may infiltrate/destroy surrounding tissue. Can spread to other body parts via the blood or lymph system.

Carcinoma - cancer in the epithelial tissue (primarily glands and skin). Includes most cancers

Cellulitis - soft tissue infection

Chemotherapy - treating a disease with chemicals

Clinical Trial - Research study when new treatment is tried out in human subjects. It is your decision to participate/not participate in a clinical trial

DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) - cancer cells which have not spread outside the duct (sometimes called pre-cancerous)

Edema - swelling (fluid in the tissues)

Epithelial cells - Cells that line an organ

Estrogen receptor - Protein, in some cells, that will bind with estrogen (some tumors are estrogen positive)

Fibroadenoma - benign fibrous breast tissue

Hematoma - blood in the tissues (can occur after breast surgery)

Her2neu - oncogene which leads to extensive cell growth when overexpressed

Hormone - Chemicals produced by our glands, which travel through bloodstream and affect other tissues

Hot flash - Quick surge of heat/swelling/perspiration associated with menopause

HRT - Hormone replacement therapy

Hyperplasia - Excessive cell growth

Hysterectomy - Removal of uterus and cervix

Infiltrating cancer - cancer which has grown beyond site of origin to nearby tissue (also known as invasive)

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