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.
Radiation Therapy
Use of high energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Radiation Urethritis
Inflammation of the urethra caused by radiation therapy.
Radical Prostatectomy
An operation to remove the entire prostate gland and seminal vesicles.
Radiosensitivity
The degree to which a type of cancer responds to radiation therapy.
RBA or Relative Biological Effectiveness
A scale used to compare the intensity of radiation associated with various atomic particles.
Receptor
A cellular docking site that interacts with a specific protein or enzyme (called a ligand). The interaction typically leads to the synthesis of other substances such as proteins, hormones or enzymes.
Recurrence
Return of the cancer following remission or treatment intended as curative. Local recurrence indicates a return of the cancer at the site of origin. Distant recurrence indicates the appearance of one or more metastases of the disease.
Refractory
No longer responsive to a certain therapy.
Remission
Complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of the disease. The period during which a disease remains under control, without progressing. Even complete remission does not necessarily indicate cure.
Resection
The surgical removal of a part of an organ or structure.
Respiratory Gating
Advanced video tracking technology which allows for realtime monitoring and correction of physiologic motion of prostate which may occur as a result of patient breathing
Retention
Difficulty in starting urination or the inability to empty the bladder.
Retropubic Prostatecomy
Removal of the prostate through an abdominal incision.
Risk
The probability that a particular event will or will not happen.
Risk Group
Patients of similar prognosis. Patients can be grouped into Low, Intermediate and High risk groups based on PSA, Gleason score and stage. Risk group classification can be helpful in assessing treatment options and comparing different treatments.
RP
See Radical Prostatectomy.
RT
See Radiation Therapy.
Rx
The standard abbreviation for treatment.
