Glossary Of Terms

Glossary Of Terms

Biopsy- Removal of a small piece of tissue for a laboratory examination.

Chemotherapy- One or more anti-cancer drugs used to destroy cancer cells.

Denosumab- A once monthly shot given to promote bone growth.

Diagnosis- Identification of a disease.

Echocardiogram- An ultrasound of the heart.

Estrogen Receptor Positive (ER+)- The cancer cells have receptors for estrogen and the estrogen is promoting the growth of the cancer. Hormone therapy to reduce estrogen in the body or to shut down the estrogen receptors is recommended in ER+ cancers.

Grade- Tumor grade is the description of a tumor based on how abnormal the cells look under a microscope. In breast cancer there are grades 1, 2, and 3, with Grade 3 having the highest differentiation from a normal cell. This is not the same as cancer stage.

HER2 Positive- Cancer cells that have too much of the protein HER2 on their surface. In normal cells HER2 helps to control cell growth. When it is made in larger than normal amounts by cancer cells, the cells may grow more quickly and be more likely to spread to other parts of the body. These cancer cells are often resistant to hormone based treatments.

Herceptin- Anti-body drug designed to interfere with the HER2 protein.

Hormone Blockade- Drugs designed to block the body's ability to produce hormones or to interfere with hormones in the body.

Medical Oncologist- Specializes in treatments such as chemotherapy.

Metastasis- Spread of cancer to a new part of the body through the blood or lymph system.

Metastatic Cancer- A cancer that has spread from the part of the body where it started (Primary Site) to other parts of the body.

Neulasta- A drug administered as a shot after chemotherapy to help the bone marrow produce white blood cells. Helps to avoid neutropenia.

Neutropenia- Abnormally low white blood cell count. Leaves a person susceptible to illness and infection.

Oncologist- Doctor who specializes in treating people with cancer.

p-53 Mutation- Makes the body susceptible to multiple types of cancers and at higher risk than the general population of developing cancer due to radiation.

Pathology- Examination of samples of body tissues (Biopsies) for diagnostic purposes.

Perjeta- Anti-body drug designed to interfere with the HER2 protein.

Port- A small medical device installed beneath the skin. A catheter (tube) connects the port to vein. Medicines such as chemotherapy are then delivered through the port.

Primary Tumor- The original or first tumor in the body. When new tumors form in other parts of the body (Metastasis) they are the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, breast cancer that has spread to the bones is still breast cancer, not bone cancer, because the cancer originated in the breast.

Prognosis- The likely course of a disease or ailment.

Radiation Oncologist- Specializes in treating cancer with radiation therapy.

Stage-The severity of a person's cancer based on the size and/or extent of the original tumor and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Stages range from I through IV, with IV representing spread to distant tissues or organs.

Surgical Oncologist- Specializes in the removal of tumors and surrounding tissue. Also performs biopsies.

Taxotere- Chemotherapy drug designed to interfere with fast-dividing cells.