Glossary of Terms
When it comes to your prostate health, knowledge is power. We at Dattoli Cancer Center understand that on your journey to acquire information about prostate cancer, related research, and various treatments, you will come across medical and scientific jargon that might need further explanation. Here we've provided a Glossary of Terms related to the topics of prostate health, prostate cancer, prostate cancer research and prostate cancer treatments and cures. You can search for a term numerically or alphabetically by selecting a character in the box below or simply scroll down through the list of terms and their corresponding definitions.
Cancer
A cellular malignancy typically forming tumors. Unlike benign tumors, these tend to invade surrounding tissues and spread to distant sites of the body.
Carcinoma
A malignant tumor made up chiefly of epithelial cells, or those that form the lining of an organ or cavity. See adenocarcinoma.
Castrate Range
The level of the body''s testosterone after orchiectomy. This is the range or level, which is used by physicians as a point of comparison for those drugs, which attempt to decrease the testosterone level.
CAT Scan (or CT Scan)
See computed tomography
Catheter
A long narrow tube placed into the bladder to allow urine to pass from the bladder to the penis (penile catheter) or out through the abdominal wall (suprapubic catheter).
cGy
Abbreviation for centigray; a unit of radiation equivalent to the older unit called a "rad."
Chemiluminescent assay
A blood test to determine extremely minute amounts of PSA.
Chemotherapy
The treatment of cancer using chemicals that deter the growth of cancer cells.
Clinical trial
A study conducted with cancer patients, usually to evaluate a promising new treatment or medication.
Collimator
A device that organizes radiation such that only parallel rays or beams emanate.
Combination Hormonal Therapy (CHT)
Hormonal therapy that utilizes two or more hormonal agents to ablate the body's androgen production.
Combination Therapy
A form of hormonal therapy that surgically or chemically blocks the production of testosterone by the testes, and involves the additional use of an antiandrogen to block the receptor sites from utilizing testosterone produced by the adrenal glands.
Complication
An unexpected effect of a treatment. A complication is different from a side effect which is an expected, unwanted effect (temporary or permanent) of treatment.
Computer Tomography
Computer generated cross-sectional images of a portion of the body. Also called CT or CAT scan.
Conformal Radiation
A treatment utilizing external radiation and conforming precisely to the size and shape of the prostate, with the use of computerized planning and state-of-the-art imaging techniques.
Contraindication
A situation in which a particular medical treatment or therapy is not recommended because of potential side effects.
Core
The small amount of prostate tissue that is extracted during a needle biopsy.
Cryosurgery (Also referred to as Cryotherapy or Cryoablation)
The freezing of tissue with the use of liquid nitrogen probes. When used to treat prostate cancer, the cryoprobes are guided by transrectal ultrasound.
CT scan
See computer tomography
Cytokine
Any of a class of immunoregulatory substances that are secreted by cells of the immune system.
