Breast Health Terms and Definitions

The Breast Health Site has gathered hundreds of terms and their definitions that relate to breast health in general. These listings are from a government source and are credible. If there is a term missing, please let us know by e-mailing us.

A Terms

Ablation

In medicine, the removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function. Ablation may be performed by surgery, hormones, drugs, radiofrequency, heat, or other methods.

Adenoma

A noncancerous tumor.

Adjunctive Therapy

Another treatment used together with the primary treatment. Its purpose is to assist the primary treatment.

Androgen

A type of hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics. May be used to treat breast cancer.

Antibody Therapy

Treatment with an antibody, a substance that can directly kill specific tumor cells or stimulate the immune system to kill tumor cells.

Areola

The area of dark-colored skin on the breast that surrounds the nipple.

B Terms

Benign

Not cancerous. Benign tumors do not spread to tissues around them or to other parts of the body.

Biopsy

The removal of a sample of tissue, which is then examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Bone Marrow Transplantation

A procedure in which doctors replace marrow destroyed by treatment with high doses of anticancer drugs or radiation. The replacement marrow may be taken from the patient before treatment or may be donated by another person.

Bone Scan

A technique to create images of bones on a computer screen or on film. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into a blood vessel and travels through the bloodstream; it collects in the bones and is detected by a scanner.

BRCA1

A gene on chromosome 17 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits an altered version of the BRCA1 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer.

BRCA2

A gene on chromosome 13 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits an altered version of the BRCA2 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer.

Breast Implant

A silicone gel-filled or saline-filled sac placed under the chest muscle to restore breast shape.

Breast Reconstruction

Surgery to rebuild the shape of the breast after a mastectomy.

C Terms

Cancer

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

Carcinoma

Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

Carcinoma In Situ

Cancer that involves only the cells in which it began and that has not spread to nearby tissues.

Chemotherapy

Treatment with anticancer drugs.

Clinical Trial

A type of research study that uses volunteers to test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. The trial may be carried out in a clinic or other medical facility. Also called a clinical study.

Computed Tomography

CT scan. A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computerized tomography and computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.

D Terms

Diagnostic Mammogram

X-ray of the breasts used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of breast cancer has been found.

Ductal Carcinoma

The most common type of breast cancer. It begins in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast.

E Terms

Endocrinologist

A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating hormone disorders.

Epidemiology

he study of the patterns, causes, and control of disease in groups of people.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

ERT. Hormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to postmenopausal women or to women who have had their ovaries surgically removed. Hormones are given to replace the estrogen no longer produced by the ovaries.

F Terms

False-Negative Test Result

A test result that indicates that a person does not have a specific disease or condition when the person actually does have the disease or condition.

False-Positive Test Result

A test result that indicates that a person has a specific disease or condition when the person actually does not have the disease or condition.

G Terms

Genetic Susceptibility

An inherited increase in the risk of developing a disease.

Gynecologist

A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs.

H Terms

Hematologist

A doctor who specializes in treating blood disorders.

HER-2/neu

Oncogene found in some breast and ovarian cancer patients that is associated with a poor prognosis.

Histology

The study of tissues and cells under a microscope.

Hormone Therapy

Treatment of cancer by removing, blocking, or adding hormones.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

HRT. Hormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to women after menopause to replace the hormones no longer produced by the ovaries. Also called menopausal hormone therapy.

I Terms

Immunotherapy

Treatment that uses the body's natural defenses to fight cancer. Also called biological therapy.

Incisional Biopsy

A surgical procedure in which a portion of a lump or suspicious area is removed for diagnosis. The tissue is then examined under a microscope.

Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma

The most common type of invasive breast cancer. It starts in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast, grows outside the ducts, and often spreads to the lymph nodes.

Invasive Cancer

Cancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding, healthy tissues. Also called infiltrating cancer.

J Terms

Jaundice

A condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes become yellow and the urine darkens. Jaundice occurs when the liver is not working properly or when a bile duct is blocked.

K Terms

Keloid

A thick, irregular scar caused by excessive tissue growth at the site of an incision or wound.

L Terms

LCIS

Lobular carcinoma in situ. Abnormal cells found in the lobules of the breast. This condition seldom becomes invasive cancer; however, having lobular carcinoma in situ increases ones risk of developing breast cancer in either breast.

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ

LCIS. A condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lobules of the breast. LCIS seldom becomes invasive cancer; however, having lobular carcinoma in situ in one breast increases the risk of developing breast cancer in either breast.

Lumpectomy

Surgery to remove the tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it.

Lymph Node

A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels. Also called a lymph gland.

Lymphatic System

The tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells that fight infections and other diseases. This system includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels (a network of thin tubes that carry lymph and white.

Lymphedema

A condition in which excess fluid collects in tissue and causes swelling. It may occur in the arm or leg after lymph vessels or lymph nodes in the underarm or groin are removed or treated with radiation.

Lymphoma

Cancer that arises in cells of the lymphatic system.

M Terms

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A procedure in which a magnet linked to a computer is used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. Also called MRI.

Malignant

Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

Mammography

The use of x-rays to create a picture of the breast.

Mastectomy

Surgery to remove the breast (or as much of the breast tissue as possible).

Menopause

The time of life when a woman's menstrual periods stop permanently. Also called "change of life."

Metastatic Cancer

Cancer that has spread from the place in which it started to other parts of the body.

Microcalcifications

Tiny deposits of calcium in the breast that cannot be felt but can be detected on a mammogram. A cluster of these very small specks of calcium may indicate that cancer is present.

Monoclonal antibodies

Substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells wherever they are in the body. They can be used alone, or they can be used to deliver drugs, toxins, or radioactive material directly to tumor cells.

Multifocal Breast Cancer

Breast cancer in which there is more than one tumor, all of which have arisen from one original tumor. The tumors are likely to be in the same quadrant (section) of the breast.

N Terms

Necrosis

Refers to the death of living tissues.

Needle Biopsy

The removal of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a microscope. Also called fine-needle aspiration.

Node-Negative

Cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Node-Positive

Cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.

O Terms

Oncologist

A doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment. For example, a radiation oncologist specializes in treating cancer with radiation.

Oophorectomy

Surgery to remove one or both ovaries.

P Terms

p53

A gene in the cell that normally inhibits the growth of tumors, which can prevent or slow the spread of cancer.

Pagets Disease Of The Nipple

A form of breast cancer in which the tumor grows from ducts beneath the nipple onto the surface of the nipple. Symptoms commonly include itching and burning and an eczema-like condition around the nipple, sometimes accompanied by oozing or bleeding.

Pathologist

A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.

Phyllodes Tumor

A type of tumor found in breast tissue. It is often large and bulky and grows quickly. It is usually benign (not cancer), but may be malignant (cancer). Also called cystosarcoma phyllodes.

Precancerous

A term used to describe a condition that may (or is likely to) become cancer. Also called premalignant.

Prophylactic Mastectomy

Surgery to remove one or both breasts in order to decrease the risk of developing breast cancer. Also called preventive mastectomy.

Prosthesis

An artificial replacement of a part of the body.

Q Terms

Quadrantectomy

Surgical removal of the region of the breast (approximately one quarter) containing cancer.

R Terms

Radiation Oncologist

A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.

Radiation therapy

Treatment with high-energy rays (such as x-rays) to kill cancer cells. The radiation may come from outside the body (external radiation) or from radioactive materials placed directly in the tumor (implant radiation). Also called radiotherapy.

Radiologist

A doctor who specializes in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are produced with x-rays, sound waves, or other types of energy.

Reconstructive Surgery

Surgery that is done to reshape or rebuild (reconstruct) a part of the body changed by previous surgery.

Recurrence

The return of cancer, at the same site as the original (primary) tumor or in another location, after the tumor had disappeared.

Remission

Disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer. When this happens, the disease is said to be "in remission." A remission can be temporary or permanent.

Risk Factor

Something that increases the chance of developing a disease.

S Terms

Saline

A solution of salt and water.

Sarcoma

A cancer of the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.

Screening

Checking for disease when there are no symptoms.

Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping

The use of dyes and radioactive substances to identify the first lymph node to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor. Cancer cells may appear first in the sentinel node before spreading to other lymph nodes and other places in the body.

Simple Mastectomy

Removal of the breast. Also called total mastectomy.

Stage I Breast Cancer

The tumor is no larger than 2 centimeters and has not spread outside the breast.

Stage IIIB Breast Cancer

The tumor may be any size, has spread to the tissues near the breast (the skin or chest wall, including the ribs and muscles in the chest), and may have spread to lymph nodes within the breast or under the arm.

Stage IIIC Breast Cancer

Cancer has spread to lymph nodes beneath the collar bone and near the neck, and may have spread to tissues near the breast (the skin or chest wall, including the ribs and muscles in the chest) and to lymph nodes within the breast or under the arm.

Stage IV Breast Cancer

Cancer has spread to other organs of the body, most often the bones, lungs, liver, or brain; or tumor has spread locally to the skin and lymph nodes inside the neck, near the collarbone.

Survival Rate

The percentage of people in a study or treatment group who are alive for a given period of time after diagnosis. This is commonly expressed as 5-year survival.

T Terms

Tamoxifen

A drug that is used to treat breast cancer. Tamoxifen blocks the effects of the hormone estrogen in the body. It belongs to the family of drugs called antiestrogens.

Thermography

In medicine, a procedure in which a heat-sensing infrared camera is used to record the surface heat produced by different parts of the body. Abnormal tissue growth can cause temperature changes, which may show up on the thermogram.

Total Hysterectomy

Surgery to remove the entire uterus, including the cervix. Sometimes, not all of the cervix is removed. Also called complete hysterectomy.

Tumor

A mass of excess tissue that results from abnormal cell division. Tumors perform no useful body function. They may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

U Terms

Ultrasonography

A test in which sound waves (called ultrasound) are bounced off tissues and the echoes are converted into a picture (sonogram).

Unilateral

Having to do with one side of the body.

V Terms

Vaccination

Treatment with a vaccine.

W Terms

White Blood Cell

WBC. Refers to a blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin. White blood cells include lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells. These cells are made by bone marrow and help the body fight infection and other diseases.

X Terms

X-Ray

A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays are used to treat cancer.

Xeroradiography

A type of x-ray in which a picture of the body is recorded on paper rather than on film.