Dictionary

F

Fertile: Able to produce children.

Fine-needle Aspiration: The removal of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a microscope. Also called needle biopsy.

G

Gene: The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.

Gland: An organ that makes one or more substances, such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, tears, saliva, or milk. Endocrine glands release the substances directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands release the substances into a duct or opening to the inside or outside of the body.

H

HER2/neu: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The HER2/neu protein is involved in the growth of some cancer cells. Also called c-erbB-2.

HER2/neu Gene: The gene that makes the epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The protein produced is HER2/neu., which is involved in the growth of some cancer cells. Also called c-erbB-2.

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: A malignant disease of the lymphatic system that is characterized by painless enlargement of lymph nodes, the spleen, or other lymphatic tissue. Other symptoms may include fever, weight loss, fatigue, or night sweats.

Hormonal Therapy: Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to adjust low hormone levels. To slow or stop the growth of certain cancers (such as prostate and breast cancer), hormones may be given to block the body’s natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the source of hormones (such as surgery to remove the testicles or ovaries). Also called hormone therapy, hormone treatment, or endocrine therapy.

Hormone Receptor Test: A test to measure the amount of certain proteins, called hormone receptors, in cancer tissue. Hormones can attach to these proteins. A high level of hormone receptors may mean that hormones help the cancer grow.

Hormones: Chemicals made by glands in the body. Hormones circulate in the bloodstream and control the actions of certain cells or organs. Some hormones may also be made in a laboratory.

I

Imaging Procedures: Methods of producing pictures of areas inside the body.

Immune System: The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.

Implant Radiation: A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor. Also called brachytherapy, internal radiation, or interstitial radiation.

Incisional Biopsy: A surgical procedure in which a portion of a lump or suspicious are is removed for diagnosis. The tissue is then examined under a microscope.

Infertile: Unable to produce children.

Infertility: The inability to produce children.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer: A type of breast cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm. The skin of the breast may also show the pitted appearance called peau d’orange (like the skin of an orange). The redness and warmth occur because the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin.

Internal Radiation: See Implant Radiation.

Invasive Cancer: Cancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding, healthy tissues. Also called infiltrating cancer.

IV: Intravenous. Injected into a blood vessel.

J

K

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Please note that the above definitions were taken from the NCI (National Cancer Institute) booklet, What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer.