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.
Palladium 103 (Pd-103)
An isotope used in prostate brachytherapy and other implant sites. Pd-103 emits low energy radiation mostly beta and has a half life of 17 days. It therefore dissipates approximately 90% of its energy within 2 months.
Pallaitive
Treatment that relieves symptoms of either treatment or the cancer but is not curative. Radiation therapy for a painful bone metastasis is an example of palliative treatment.
Palpable
Capable of being felt when examined by touch or manipulation.
Palpatory
Capable of being examined by touch or manipulation.
PAP
See Prostatic Acid Phosphate
Partin Tables
Tables that use a patients PSA, Gleason score and DRE stage to predict the likelihood of spread to disease beyond the prostate gland. The tables determine the risk of cancer involving the edge of the gland (extracapsular extension), the lymph nodes, and the seminal vesicles.
Pathologist
A doctor who specializes in the examination of cells and tissues removed from the body.
PBRT
See Proton Beam Radiation Therapy.
Perineum
The area of the body between the anus and the scrotum. A perineal procedure uses this area as the point of entry into the body.
Perineural Invasion
Describing cancer which has spread from the prostate to the nerve bundles.
Photon Radiation
Also known as X-rays. Low-energy photon radiation has just enough photon energy to penetrate the body for an x-ray film but cause minimal harm to the cells. High-energy photon radiation (such as IMRT radiation) is produced by a linear accelerator and is capable of killing cells, including cancer cells.
PIN (Prostatic Intraepithelia Neoplasia)
Cells that are not quite normal yet also not cancerous. The presence of PIN can prompt the physician to increase surveillance as its presence may be associated with increased risk of prostate cancer.
Placebo
A sugar pill often taken by participants in a medical study. Patients taking a placebo are compared to patients taking actual medications.
Ploidy Analysis
A pathological analysis to determine the number of sets of chromosomes in a cell.
Posterior
The back portion. The posterior of the prostate is the side near the rectum that is palpated during the digital rectal exam (DRE).
Pro-oxidant
Pro-oxidant: A term used to describe substances that aid in oxidation.
Proctitis
Inflammation of the rectum.
Prognosis
The forecast of the course of a disease, and future prospects of the patient.
Progression
A change in the status of the cancer indicating the condition has progressed and worsened.
Prostascint™ Scan
A new method to determine whether or not cancer has spread to distant sites by using monoclonal antibodies. This is especially helpful with patients who have been on hormonal therapy.
Prostate Capsule
The outer membranous covering of the prostate gland.
Prostate Gland
A male gland which supports the urethra and prostatic ducts. It produces a fluid that forms part of semen and is located between the bladder and the penis.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
A blood test that measures a substance manufactured solely by prostate gland cells. An elevated reading indicates an abnormal condition of the prostate gland, either benign or malignant. It is presently the most sensitive tumor marker for the identification and monitoring of prostate cancer.
Prostatectomy
The surgical removal of part or all of the prostate gland.
Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP)
An enzyme produced by the prostate that is elevated (3.0 or higher) in many patients when prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate.
Prostatis
Infection or inflammation
Proton Beam Radiation Therapy (PBRT)
A form of radiation therapy that utilizes protons as the source of energy (as opposed to X-rays or neutrons).
PSA
See prostate specific antigen.
PSA Bounce (or PSA Bump)
A rise in PSA level after first having a reduction in PSA after radiation therapy.
PSA Nadir
The lowest PSA value after a particular treatment.
PSA Velocity (PSAV)
The rate of increase of the PSA level, expressed as nanograms per milliliter per year.
