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Words You Might Encouter Concerning Prostate Cancer (7)
MAB: MAXIMAL ANDROGEN BLOCKADE (see CHT)
MAD: MAXIMAL ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION (see CHT)
MAGNETIC RESONANCE: absorption of specific frequencies of radio and
microwave radiation by atoms placed in a strong magnetic field
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI): the use of magnetic resonance with
atoms in body tissues to produce distinct cross-sectional, and even
three-dimensional images of internal organs; MRI is primarily of use
in staging biopsy-proven prostate cancer
MALIGNANCY: a growth or tumor composed of cancerous cells
MALIGNANT: cancerous; tending to become progressively worse and to
result in death; having the invasive and metastatic (spreading) m
properties of cancer
MARGIN: normally used to mean the "surgical margin," which is the
outer edge of the tissue removed during surgery; if the surgical
margin shows no sign of cancer ("negative margins"), then the
prognosis is good
MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST: an oncologist primarily trained in the use of
medicines (rather than surgery) to treat cancer
METASTASIS: (plural is METASTASES) a secondary tumor formed as a
result of a cancer cell or cells from the primary tumor site (e.g.,
the prostate) traveling through the body to a new site and then
growing there
METASTASIZE: spread of a malignant tumor to other parts of the body
METASTATIC: having the characteristics of a secondary tumor
METASTATIC WORK UP: a group of tests, including bone scans, x-rays,
and blood tests, to ascertain whether cancer has metastasized
METASTRON: the brand or trade name of strontium-89 in the US
MISSTAGING: the assignment of an incorrect clinical stage at initial
diagnosis because of the difficulty of assessing the available
information with accuracy
MONOCLONAL: formed from a single group of identical cells
MRI: see MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
MORBIDITY: unhealthy consequences and complications resulting from treatment
MUTATION: a sudden variation in an inherited characteristic; mutations
of androgen-receptor genes have been found in patients with metastatic
androgen-independent (refractory) PCa; two of these receptors could be
activated by progestorone and estrogen, indicating that such mutations
could be one reason PCa becomes refractory. Mary-Ellen Taplin, et al.,
The New England J. of Medicine, 332:1393-1398 (May 25, 1995).
NADIR: the lowest point reached, for example in a series of PSA values.
NECROSIS: destruction of cells through non-genetic mechanisms; cells
ordinarily die by genetic mechanisms; see APOPTOSIS
NEGATIVE: the term used to describe a test result which does not show
the presence of the substance or material for which the test was
carried out; for example, a negative bone scan would show no sign of
bone metastases
NEOADJUVANT: added before; for example, neoadjuvant hormone therapy is
hormone therapy given prior to another form of treatment such as a
radical prostatectomy
NEOPLASIA: the growth of cells under conditions that would tend to
prevent the development of normal tissue (e.g., a cancer)
NERVE SPARING: term used to describe a type of prostatectomy in which
the surgeon saves the nerves that affect sexual and related functions
NILUTAMIDE: an antiandrogen, still experimental in the USA, but
available in Canada and some other countries
NOCTURIA: the need to urinate frequently at night
NONINVASIVE: not requiring any incision or the insertion of an
instrument or substance into the body
NSE: neuron-specific enolase; a neuroendocrine marker (see CGA)
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Words You Might Encouter Concerning Prostate Cancer (7)
