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.
Nadir
The lowest point. Doctors sometimes use this as a verb to describe return of cancer or treatment failure.
Necrosis
Death of cells or tissues caused by disease or injury.
Neoadjuvant
The use of a different type of therapy before primary, curative treatment. For example, neoadjuvant Androgen Deprivation Therapy is often used prior to radiation therapy or radical surgery, with the intent of improving the effectiveness of the primary treatment by reducing the size of the tumor and/or prostate gland.
Nerve-sparing
A procedure used during radical prostatectomy in which the surgeon attempts to save the nerves (neurovascular bundles) that allow for normal sexual functions.
Neurovascular Bundles
Strands of interwoven nerves and veins that run down the side of the prostate. The bundles contain microscopic nerves that are essential for erection; they also contain arteries and veins. Cutting the nerves in the bundles during surgery, or otherwise harming them in another procedure, usually renders the patient impotent.
Nocturia
Getting up at night to urinate.
Noninvasive Treatment
A treatment that does not require an incision into the body. An example is external beam radiation therapy. Minimally invasive indicates that a small incision (laparoscopic or robotic) or a needle insertion (seed implantation) is performed as part of the procedure.
