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Words You Might Encouter Concerning Prostate Cancer (3)
DEBULKING: reduction of the volume of cancer by one of several
techniques; most frequently used to imply surgical debulking
DES: see diethylstilbestrol
DHT: see dihydrotestosterone
DIAGNOSIS: the evaluation of signs, symptoms, and selected test
results by a physician to determine the physical and biological causes
of the signs and symptoms and whether a specific disease or disorder
is involved
DIETHYLSTILBESTROL: a female hormone commonly used in the 1960s and 1970s for treatment of prostate cancer
DIGEST: see PC DIGEST
DIGITAL RECTAL EXAMINATION: the use by a physician of a lubricated and gloved finger inserted into the rectum to feel for abnormalities of the prostate and rectum
DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE: (DHT) (5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone) the male hormone which is most active in the prostate; it is made when an
enzyme (5 alpha reductase) in the prostate stimulates the transformation of testosterone to DHT
DIFFERENTIATION: the use of the differences between prostate cancer cells when seen under the microscope as a method to grade the severity of the disease; well differentiated cells are easily recognized as
normal cells, while poorly differentiated cells are abnormal,
cancerous and difficult to recognize as belonging to any particular
type of cell group; see also the 6/13/96 posting by Dr. Oppenheimer:
Re:What's "Differentiated"?
DIPLOID: having one complete set of normally paired chromosomes, i.e., a normal amount of DNA; diploid cancer cells tend to grow slowly and respond well to hormone therapy
DNA: DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID; the basic biologically active chemical which defines the physical development and growth of nearly all living organisms
DOUBLE-BLIND: a form of clinical trial in which neither the physician
nor the patient knows the actual treatment which any individual
patient is receiving; double-blind trials are a way of minimizing the
effects of the personal opinions of patients and physicians on the
results of the trial
DOUBLING TIME: the time that it takes a particular focus of cancer to
double in size
DOWNSIZING: the use of hormonal or other forms of management to reduce the volume of prostate cancer in and/or around the prostate prior to attempted curative treatment
DOWNSTAGING: the use of hormonal or other forms of management in the attempt to lower the clinical stage of prostate cancer prior to
attempted curative treatment (e.g., from stage T3a to stage T2b); this
technique is highly controversial
DRE: see digital rectal examination
DYSPLASIA: see PIN
DYSURIA: urination which is problematic or painful
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Words You Might Encouter Concerning Prostate Cancer (3)
