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.
Gene Therapy
The insertion of normal or genetically altered genes into cells, usually to replace defective cells.
Gland
An aggregation of cells that secretes a substance for use in or discharge from the body.
Gland Volume
The size in cubic centimeters (cc) or grams of the prostate gland.
Gleason Score
A widely used method for classifying the cellular differentiation of cancerous tissue. The less the cancerous cells appear like normal cells, the more malignant the cancer. Two grades of 1-5, identifying the two most common degrees of differentiation present in the examined tissue sample, are added together to produce the Gleason score. High numbers indicate greater differentiation and more aggressive cancer. The grading system is name after its originator, Donald Gleason, M.D.
Globulin
Any of a number of simple proteins that occur widely in plant and animal tissues.
Grade
A way to describe the possible severity of a cancer based on the appearance of cells under a microscope. See also Gleason Score.
Gray (Gy)
A unit of measure for radiation dose. The dose may also be quantified as centigray (cGy), which is 1000 Grays.
Gynecomastia
A side effect involving breast enlargement and tenderness, associated with various hormonal therapies that increase the level of estrogens in the body.
