Glossary of Terms
antioxidant |
a substance that protects us from the dangerous free radicals |
biopsy |
the removal of small samples of tissue for analysis |
catheter |
a small tube inserted (usually via the penis into the bladder) |
Gleason score |
the rating of the aggressiveness of the cancer |
impotence |
the inability to achieve a useful erection |
incontinence |
the inability to control urination |
laparoscopy |
looking into the abdomen by means of a tiny camera |
lymph nodes |
small organs that filter and destroy harmful bacteria and viruses |
metastasis |
the spread of cancer outside the primary site |
nocturia |
the need to urinate frequently at night |
oncologist |
a specialist in the medical treatment of cancer |
orchidectomy |
an operation to remove the testicles |
perineum |
the area between the scrotum and the anus |
prostatectomy |
an operation to remove the prostate |
seminal vesicles |
organs that contribute fluid to the ejaculate |
testosterone |
a male hormone secreted by the testes |
urethra |
the tube through which urine and semen flow |
urologist |
a specialist in disorders of the kidneys/bladder/prostate systems |
BMD |
bone mineral density test |
BPH |
benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate) |
CT |
computerized tomography scan |
DRE |
digital rectal examination |
EBRT |
external beam radiotherapy |
ED |
erectile dysfunction (problems with erections) |
HIFU |
high-intensity focused ultrasound |
HR |
hormone relapsed (prostate cancer) |
IMRT/IGRT |
intensity modulated/image guided radiation therapy |
LHRH |
lutenizing hormone-releasing hormone |
LRP |
laparoscopic radical prostatectomy |
MDT |
multi-disciplinary team |
MRI |
magnetic resonance imaging scan |
NICE |
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence |
PDT |
photodynamic therapy |
PET |
positron emission tomography - a form of body scanning |
PSA |
prostate specific antigen |
RALP |
robotically assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy |
RP |
radical prostatectomy |
TCAP |
targeted cryo-ablation of the prostate (i.e. cryotherapy) |
TNM |
tumour/nodes/metastases: a scale for measuring tumour spread |
TRUS |
trans-rectal ultrasound scan |
TURP |
trans-urethral resection of the prostate (an operation for enlargement) |
