Glossary Terms

Closely following a patient’s condition but not giving treatment unless there are changes in test results. Active surveillance may avoid or delay the need for radiation or surgery. It is used to find early signs that the condition is getting worse. During active surveillance, certain exams and tests, including biopsies, are done on a regular schedule. It is used in prostate cancer. It is a type of expectant management.

A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called clinical study.

A procedure in which tissue is frozen to destroy abnormal cells. Liquid nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide is used to freeze the tissue. Also called cryoablation and cryosurgical ablation.

In medicine, the swelling of the penis with blood, causing it to become firm.

A type of radiation therapy that uses a machine to aim high-energy rays at the cancer from outside of the body. Also called external radiation therapy.

A procedure in which high-energy sound waves are aimed directly at an area of abnormal cells or tissue in the body. The waves create heat that kills the cells. High-intensity focused ultrasound therapy is being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer and some other types of cancer and other diseases. Also called HIFU.

Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to adjust low hormone levels. To slow or stop the growth of certain cancers (such as prostate and breast cancer), synthetic hormones or other drugs may be given to block the body’s natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the gland that makes a certain hormone. Also called endocrine therapy, hormonal therapy, and hormone treatment.

A type of radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor. Also called brachytherapy, internal radiation therapy, and radiation brachytherapy.

A surgical procedure in which the lymph nodes are removed and a sample of tissue is checked under a microscope for signs of cancer. For a regional lymphadenectomy, some of the lymph nodes in the tumor area are removed; for a radical lymphadenectomy, most or all of the lymph nodes in the tumor area are removed. Also called lymph node dissection.

Surgery to remove one or both testicles. Also called orchidectomy.

Treatment given to relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Palliative cancer therapies are given together with other cancer treatments, from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship, recurrent or advanced disease, and at the end of life.

Having to do with the pelvis (the lower part of the abdomen located between the hip bones).

Surgery to remove lymph nodes in the pelvis for examination under a microscope to see if they contain cancer.

A gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate surrounds the part of the urethra (the tube that empties the bladder) just below the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of the semen.

A type of radiation therapy that uses streams of protons (tiny particles with a positive charge) that come from a special machine. This type of radiation kills tumor cells but does not damage nearby tissues. It is used to treat cancers in the head and neck and in organs such as the brain, eye, lung, spine, and prostate. Proton beam radiation is different from x-ray radiation.

The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called irradiation and radiotherapy.

Surgery to remove the entire prostate. The two types of radical prostatectomy are retropubic prostatectomy (surgery through an incision in the wall of the abdomen) and perineal prostatectomy (surgery through an incision between the scrotum and the anus).

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

Cancer is found in the prostate only. The cancer (1) is found by needle biopsy or in a small amount of tissue during surgery for other reasons; the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level is lower than 10 and the Gleason score is 6 or lower; or (2) is found in one-half or less of one lobe of the prostate; the PSA level is lower than 10 and the Gleason score is 6 or lower; or (3) cannot be felt during a digital rectal exam and is not visible by imaging; cancer is found in one-half or less of one lobe of the prostate and the PSA level and Gleason score are not known.

Stage II prostate cancer is divided into stages IIA and IIB. In stage IIA, cancer is found (1) by needle biopsy or in a small amount of tissue during surgery for other reasons; the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level is lower than 20 and the Gleason score is 7; or (2) by needle biopsy or in a small amount of tissue during surgery for other reasons; the PSA level is at least 10 but lower than 20 and the Gleason score is 6 or lower; or (3) in one-half or less of one lobe of the prostate; the PSA level is at least 10 but lower than 20 and the Gleason score is 6 or lower; or (4) in one-half or less of one lobe of the prostate; the PSA level is lower than 20 and the Gleason score is 7; or (5) in more than one-half of one lobe of the prostate; the PSA level is lower than 20 and the Gleason score is 7 or lower; or (6) in more than one-half of one lobe of the prostate, and the PSA level and Gleason score are not known. In stage IIB, cancer (1) is found in both lobes of the prostate; the PSA can be any level and the Gleason score can range from 2 to 10; or (2) cannot be felt during a digital rectal exam and is not visible by imaging, and the tumor has not spread outside the prostate; the PSA level is 20 or higher and the Gleason score can range from 2 to 10; or (3) cannot be felt during a digital rectal exam and is not visible by imaging, and the tumor has not spread outside the prostate; the PSA can be any level and the Gleason score is 8 or higher.

Cancer has spread beyond the outer layer of the prostate on one or both sides and may have spread to the seminal vesicles (glands that help produce semen). The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level can be any level and the Gleason score can range from 2 to 10.

Cancer (1) has spread beyond the seminal vesicles to nearby tissue or organs, such as the rectum, bladder, or pelvic wall; or (2) has spread to nearby lymph nodes; and may have spread to the seminal vesicles or to nearby tissue or organs, such as the rectum, bladder, or pelvic wall; or (3) has spread to distant parts of the body, which may include lymph nodes or bones. Also, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) can be any level and the Gleason score can range from 2 to 10.

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

Surgery to remove tissue from the prostate using an instrument inserted through the urethra. Also called TURP.

A procedure in which high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns are shown on the screen of an ultrasound machine, forming a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. Also called ultrasonography.

Closely watching a patient’s condition but not giving treatment unless symptoms appear or change. Watchful waiting is sometimes used in conditions that progress slowly. It is also used when the risks of treatment are greater than the possible benefits. During watchful waiting, patients may be given certain tests and exams. Watchful waiting is sometimes used in prostate cancer. It is a type of expectant management.

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