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Glossary of Terms
Shuwen - Cerca Biotech Co, Ltd.

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Ablation

procedure to cease or remove a part of the body from working by utilizing surgery, hormone therapy, or radiotherapy procedures

Abscess

collection of pus that is painful and may be caused from a bacterial infection

Adenocarcinoma

cancer that begins in the glandular tissue and may be located in the lobules or ducts of the breast

Adjuvant therapy (treatment)

known as the additional treatment, to the main therapy and may lower the risk that the cancer will return or have a recurrence. The therapies may include: biological therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapy. Usually this is added after surgery to provide further stability or to cure the disease.

Advanced Breast Cancer

cancer that has spread beyond the breast and the lymph nodes under the underarm (armpit) to other parts of the body. May be known as secondary, stage 4 or metastatic Breast Cancer.

Advanced cancer

cancer that has spread from the original or primary site of the body, and now is in other parts of the body. It is a general term that includes specific staging of the cancer.  When it is locally advanced, it is spread to the nearby areas only.  When it is advanced, it has spread to distant parts of the body. Breast Cancer that is advanced is described as metastatic Breast Cancer, and known as stage IV of Breast Cancer

Adverse events

is an adverse, unplanned or unexpected reaction to a medication or treatment and may be harmful or dangerous. May be with taking a medication, or seen with clinical trials (research) and must be reported as part of the research rules, and the safety parameters of the treatment. May be known as side effect or adverse effect.

Alopecia

loss of hair from the body or head

Anemia

red blood cells of the body are at a lower than normal level resulting in the patient feeling tired, weak or short of breath

Angiogenesis

chemicals that are released from the tumour may cause new blood vessel formation. Tumour angiogenesis is the creation and growth of new blood vessels that tumours utilize as they grow within the body.

Apoptosis

inside the cell a series of molecular steps have occurred resulting in cellular death. This is a normal function of the body and how the body gets rid of abnormal or unnecessary cells, like a cleaning process. With cancer cells they may block or prevent apoptosis from occurring. May be also known as programmed cell death.

Areola

the round area around the breast nipple where breast milk is released

Axilla

under the underarm, the armpit

Axillary lymph node dissection

located on the body’s underarm area, there are small glands known as lymph nodes. If these are surgical removed it is referred to an axillary lymph node dissection and is usually combined with a mastectomy. May be known as axillary clearance.

Axillary nodes

the lymph nodes under the underarm (armpit). May be known as lymph glands

Axillary web syndrome

the ‘cords’ of tissues stretching down the inside of the arm may form from scar tissue during the healing process. This may occur after surgery to remove the lymph nodes under the armpit. May be known as cording.

Benign

a tumour that is non-cancerous

Bilateral

refers to both the right and left sides of the body

Biological therapy

a treatment that enhances the immune system in the body to fight cancer, infections, and other diseases. The therapy may boost or restore the immune system, while lessening specific adverse effects that some cancer treatments may cause. The specific types of biological therapy are called, agents and they may also have a direct antitumour effect. Examples include: growth factors, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines. May be known as biotherapy, BRM therapy, biological response modifier therapy and immunotherapy.

Biomarkers

a biological molecule from inside the tissues, body fluids, or blood. The biomarker result may be normal or abnormal, expressing a condition or disease. May be known as molecular marker, signature molecule or tumour biomarker.

Biopsy

a medical procedure to removal of tissue to be examined under a microscope. May be a core biopsy using a hollow needle, or a needle biopsy to take one or more small samples of tissues for analysis.

Blinded study

a clinical trial (research) where the type of treatment is not known to the patient that is a part of this study. In a single-blinded study, the patient would know the type of treatment given.

Blood cells

tiny structures produces in the bone marrow that include white and red blood cells, and platelets

Blood count

the total number of white and red blood cells and platelets in a specific sample of blood

Blood-brain barrier

blood vessels in a closely spaced network that increases the difficulty for potentially toxic substances (anticancer medications) to penetrate the blood vessel walls and enter the brain. May be known as BBB.

Bone marrow

the spongy material found in the inside center of the bones where white and red blood cells and platelets are produced

Bone metastases

cancer that has spread from the breast to the bones. May be known as secondary Breast Cancer of the bone.

Bone scan

a small amount of radioactive material is injected into the blood vessel and moves throughout the bloodstream and ends up being collected in the bones. A scanner machine detects the images being created of the bones on a computer screen or film.

Brain metastases

cancer that has spread from the breast to the brain. May be known as secondary Breast Cancer of the brain.

BRCA genes

known for protection from breast and ovarian cancers, the two BRCA genes: BRCA 1 and BRACA2 may have mutations in the body. These may be inherited (born with them), and increase a person’s high risk of developing these cancers. Women and those assigned female at birth with BRCA gene mutations have a 40 – 50% chance of developing Breast Cancer in their lifetime.

Breast

area of the body that is made up of ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple), and lobules (milk-producing glands). These areas are surrounded by tissue that gives the breast their size and shape.

Breast calcification

areas of calcium deposit in one or both of the breast tissue

Breast Cancer

a cancer (the overproduction of abnormal cells) produced in the breast tissue. The majority of Breast Cancer diagnosed is the result of random mutations arising during DNA replication in noncancerous stem cells.

Breast density

refers to the total amount of glandular or fibrous tissue compared with fatty tissue in the breast. High breast density is when there is more collagen and glandular tissue compared to fatty tissue in the breasts. Low breast density is when there is more fatty tissue compared to glandular tissue and collagen.

Breast reconstruction

surgery to rebuild a breast

Breast-conserving surgery

the removal of the cancer with a margin (border) of normal breast tissue next to it. May be known as wide local excision or lumpectomy.

Cancer

the overproduction of abnormal cells in the body. Normally cells are formed, grow, divide, and cease or die. This process is not followed in the case of cancer as the cells don’t die, but form new abnormal cells and continue to grow as cancer cells. Normal tissue are replaced as the cancer cells move to other parts of the body. When they move to other parts of the body, this is referred to as, metastasis. These abnormal cancer cells may move into the lymph vessels, lymph nodes, or bloodstream. Deoxyribonucleic acid, (DNA) is the genetic material in all cells and leads all cell activities. Cancer cells develop because of damage to the DNA. The body may repair DNA damage, but with cancer the DNA is unable to be repaired. You may be born or inherit DNA damaged cells, known as inherited cancers. DNA damage may also occur due to environmental exposure to certain risk factors, e.g., long-term birth control pills usage, smoking, obesity, alcohol, or chemical exposure, etc.

Cancer of unknown primary (CUP)

the primary (creation) cancer site is unknown in cases of metastatic cancers, so are unidentified

Carcinoma

cancer found in the body’s organs that is known as a malignant tumour. First starting in the skin cells or in the tissue lining of organs. This is found in the epithelial cells, or the lining of that organ. Over 80% of all cancers are carcinomas.

Cardiotoxicity

caused by chemotherapy and targeted therapy medications that causes damage to the heart muscle. The heart becomes weaker and pumps less efficiently.

Cells

the tiny structures that make up the tissues of the body

Chemotherapy (chemo for short)

treatment with medication or drugs that target to destroy or kill cancer cells. This treatment is usually linked with surgery and/or radiation to treat cancer. The chemo prevents the cancer cells from dividing or kills them altogether. This may be at the start with new cancers, when it has spread, when there is high risk the cancer may return, or when the cancer actually returns to the body. This medication comes in various types for different cancers, and may be as a pill, infusion (bag of fluid), or injection (through the skin).

Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH)

a test for measuring HER2 (HER2/neu) levels in cancer cells

Chronic

a term utilized to describe a disease, illness or condition that is long lasting and may be slow to progress to a worst state

Clinical trial (study)

research that looks to advance medical science treatments. It is conducted to look at various aspects of medical care: diagnosis, prevention, screening, along with treatments for patients. These clinical trials should be conducted in patients prior to making them available to the public. This is in the form of a research study or experimental study to test hypothesis (ideas). The studies aim to evaluate the safety of a new treatment and how well it work with patients.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

treatments that are utilized in addition to traditional or instead of standard treatments. They are not standard of care in medicine. Standard treatments have an extensive research process to prove they are safe and effective, known as evidence-based research. CAM may not be well known, and may include: dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, acupuncture, meditations, magnet therapy, massage therapy, meditations, special teas, and spiritual healing.

Complete response

refers to the disappearance of all signs of cancer in the body in response to treatment. This does not mean the cancer is cured, and may be known as complete remission.

Computerized tomography (CT Scan)

utilization of specialized equipment that produces a specific series of precise pictures of the areas of the body from various angles. These pictures are created by a computer linked to an X-ray machine. May be known as CAT Scan, computed tomography scan, computerized axial or tomography scan.

Contralateral

the opposite side or other side

Cording

when the ‘cords’ of tissues stretching down the inside of the underarm, which may occur after surgery to remove the lymph nodes under the armpit. May be known as axillary web syndrome.

Core biopsy

a procedure that utilizes a hollow needle to enter the skin, then enter the cell tumour or mass and removes the actual cell tissues to be analysed with a powerful microscope.

CyberKnife

a form of robotic radiotherapy that is non-surgical. May be known as stereotactic radiotherapy, or Gamma knife.

De Novo

a term associated with metastatic Breast Cancer to describe a patient’s first occurrence of cancer

Dense Breast Tissue

on mammogram testing there are two types of tissue: fibroglandular and fatty. Fibroglandular tissue appears white, and is the tissue from the milk glands and the ducts of the breast. Fatty tissue appears grey, and when the amount of fatty tissue is greater than the amount of fibroglandular tissue that is the definition of dense breasts. May account for nearly half of the women having dense breasts. Breast Cancer may appear white causing confusion with diagnosis.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

where genetic information is located in all living systems in the form a molecule. A large amount of small molecules join together in the shape of a double helix (two parallel spirals intertwined with a shared axis looking like a spiral staircase) to form the DNA molecule. This is the foundation to the law of genetics and how the DNA molecule works at a fundamental level.

Diagnostic radiographer

a specialist trained person to obtain X-rays and scans

Differentiation

a term utilized in pathology to explain the comparison of cancer cells to normal cells. Normal cells would be well differentiated and have a similar size and shape. Abnormal would be either; moderately differentiated cancer cells that look less like normal cells, and; poorly differentiated cancer cells that look most different from normal cells and are usually fast growing.

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT)

technology that is utilized with mammograms which are 2-D (two views of the breast) and a flat image, whereas DBT creates a 3-D image. It enhances the radiologist’s ability to diagnose Breast Cancer. Benefit are: reduction in a false positive reading; decreases the number of women who must repeat their mammogram; reduction in having a biopsy; provides accuracy to the location of the abnormality, and; reduce anxiety waiting for test result readings.

Disease-free survival (DFS)

the length of time the patient survives after treatment has ended for a specific disease, with no further signs of disease. Disease-free survival may be utilized in a clinical trial (study) with research methods to assist in measuring how well a new treatment therapy may work. May be known disease-free survival time.

Drug resistance

refers to the ability of cancer cells to become resistant to medications or drugs utilized to treat cancer

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)

a scan that measure bone mineral density and is utilized to diagnose and monitor osteoporosis (body doesn’t make or loses bone), or to assess the risk of developing it.

Dual-color dual-hapten brightfield in situ hybridization (D-SIAH)

a test for measuring HER2 (HER2/neu) levels in cancer cell

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

abnormal cells are found in the lining of the breast duct, but have not spread to other parts of the breast tissue, so it is considered, non-invasive. This is an early type of Breast Cancer. May be known as pre-invasive, intraductal or non-invasive cancer.

Ducts

tubes in the breast that carry milk to the nipple

Early Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer that is contained in the breast and has been detected before it has spread to the lymph nodes or the underarm (armpit)

Echocardiogram

procedure to scan the heart and nearby blood vessels

Effusion

an abnormal collection of fluid in the hollow spaces or between tissues of the body

Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

test that checks the hearts electrical activity and rhythm (beating status)

Endocrine therapy (Hormone therapy or treatment {HRT})

treatment that adds, blocks or removes hormones in the body such as, estrogen and other female hormones. Some hormones are given when the body has a low amount, e.g., estrogen for post-menopausal women to reduces symptoms. The treatment may slow down or stop the growth of certain cancers. Synthetic hormones or other medications may be given to block the body’s natural hormone production. May be known as hormonal therapy, hormone therapy, or endocrine therapy.

Endpoint

this is an outcome or event that may be objectively measured in a clinical trial (study). Areas of focus are; improvement in quality of life, relief of symptoms, survival and the disappearance of the tumour.

Epidermal grwth factor receptor (EGFR)

type of protein found on the surface of cells where the higher than normal levels are known as over-expression are located on cancer cells. They assist cancer to readily grow.

ER-status

this means ER positive (ER+) for Breast Cancer and it has estrogen receptors. ER negative (ER -) means the Breast Cancer doesn’t have estrogen reception.

Estrogen

hormone that assists to develop and maintain female sex characteristics

Estrogen receptor positive (ER +)

utilized to describe Breast Cancer cells that may receive signals from the hormone estrogen to promote their growth

Excision

surgical removal of tissue in a tumour, cyst or mass (HER2/neu) with a sharp instrument. This may be complete or partial removal.

Fibrocystic

refers to a benign (not cancer) breast condition when multiple cysts or bumpy areas develop in one or both breasts

Fine needle aspiration

to utilize a thin needle to aspirate (draw up into the needle) fluid, tissue or cells from a tumour, cyst or mass. May be known as needle aspiration.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

a test for measuring HER2 (HER2/neu) levels in the cancer cells, where a negative results means a normal level is present (FISH-), and a positive means excessive amounts are present (FISH+), classed as HER2+ (positive).

Fraction

the measurement utilized in radiotherapy (radiation) and involves several fractions (segments) given to the patient over a few days up to several weeks

Gamma knife

non-surgical radiosurgery that utilizes radiation in a precise manner with computerized treatment plan software

Gene(s)

a portion of a patients’ DNA that has hereditary characteristic information, e.g., eye color, hair color, along with inherited (family) risk for certain disease(s). This is the basic function of hereditary.

Genetic counseling

is a series of discussions with a patient and their expertly trained health care professional about their risk of inheriting a specific disease(s)

Genetic testing or germline testing

testing that usually occurs after genetic counseling to determine a patients’ risk of cancer

Grade

the system utilized to classify cancer cells according to how different they are in comparison to normal breast cells and how quickly they are replicating or growing

Growth factors

a substance made by the body that functions to regulate cell survival and cell division

Hand-foot syndrome

certain anticancer medications or drugs may cause conditions that produced redness of the hands and feet, pain, swelling, numbness, and tingling. May be kwown as palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia.

HER2 or HER2/neu

a normal cell growth protein that is found on various types of cancer cells, including ovarian and breast. HER2 are receptors on breast cells may be removed from the body and tested for this protein. If you are HER2+ (positive), your cancer calls make too much or an excess amount of the HER2 protein. It is normally produced to control a breast cells growth, when the HER2 protein doesn’t work properly, an overproduction of breast cells occurs. Treatment options may be decided when there is a presence of HER2. This Breast Cancer tends to be aggressive, but research has important breakthroughs with this specific type of cancer. HER2 is known in science as type of receptor tyrosine kinases. May be known as human EGF receptor 2, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, or c-erbB-2.

Hereditary

the conditions, illnesses or characteristics that may be passed from a parent to their child through genes, the area of science known as genetics

High risk

refers to the certain factors that increase a patients risk of developing Breast Cancer. High risk factors may include: personal, genetic, familial (family) factors

Histology

when utilizing a microscope, tissue or cells may be studied by a pathologist. This is an expert in histologic examination. Histopathology is the actual study of diseased or abnormal tissues or cells as it related to disease using a microscope.

Hormone therapy or treatment (HRT)

treatment that adds, blocks or removes hormones in the body such as, estrogen and other female hormones. Some hormones are given when the body has a low amount, e.g., estrogen for post-menopausal women to reduces symptoms. The treatment may slow down or stop the growth of certain cancers. Synthetic hormones or other medications may be given to block the body’s natural hormone production. May be known as hormonal therapy, hormone therapy, or endocrine therapy.

Hormones

the chemical messengers produced in various organs of the body that control growth and reproduction

Imagine studies (Imaging)

testing utilizing specific equipment to produce pictures of the structures inside of the body, e.g., bone scans, mammograms, computerized tomography (CAT/CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound.

Immune response

the automatic defense function of the body that protects the patient from infection, disease and foreign bodies

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) test

test performed in a laboratory that utilizes antibody (blood protein)s to detect specific antigens (foreign bodies) in the biopsy tissue or cell samples. This allows for classification and detection of cancer cells specifics.

Immunosuppression

the reduction of the body to protect against infection, disease, and foreign bodies. May be caused (side effect) by chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy

a form of cancer treatment for the body’s immune systems to fight cancer by boosting it with substances that may improve the body’s natural response to illness

In situ (Breast Cancer)

Breast Cancer that has not developed the ability to spread outside the ducts (tubes in the breast), either within the breast or to other locations in the body

In situ (situ)

this is a description of the cancer or tumour confined to where is first started in the original place. Meaning it has not spread to other parts of the body.

Inflammation

swelling, redness or wamth cause by the reaction of the body tissues to infection, injury or irritation

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

a rare form of Breast Cancer where the skin of the breast looks red, and may feel warm and inflamed (tender) to touch

Infusion

a method for the delivery of medications (drugs) or fluids into the vein (part of the blood vessel system)

Intramuscular (IM)

an injection of a substance into the muscle through the skin

Intravenous (IV)

an injection of a substance into the vein (part of the blood vessel system)

Invasive cancer

the original growth of the cancer cells has spread beyond the area where it first development and now involves adjacent (nearby) tissues

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)

type of Breast Cancer that starts in the milk ducts (the tubes that milk breast travel through to the nipple) of the breast and has spread to the surrounding breast tissue. It is the most common type of Breast Cancer.

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)

a type of Breast Cancer that starts in the milk-producing lobules (the gland that makes the breast milk) of the breast and has spread to the surrounding breast tissue. It is the second most common type of Breast Cancer, next to IDC.

Investigational

refers to a medication (drug) or procedure that is not yet approved for public utilization. It may be studied in human clinical trials and may include: a new medication, dose combination of way to administer the medication.

Lobules

milk-producing glands in the breast

Locally advanced

a term to describe cancer that has spread from its original location to surrounding lymph system (nodes or tissue)

Lumpectomy

Breast Cancer surgery that removes the cancer and part of the abnormal surrounding tissues, but not the entire breast

Lymph system (vessel/node)

vast network of tissues, vessels and organs that join together to move fluids called lymph fluids back in to your bloodstream. The lymph fluids have many functions within the body, but primarily are to fight infection and get rid of the waste that the body does not need.

Lymphedema

condition resulting from a common side effect of cancer treatment, where the lymph nodes produce excess fluid, causing them to enlarge or swell

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

utilization of specialized equipment that has a powerful magnet that produces radio waves linked directly to a computer. The results created are detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures may show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. This is a superior type of technology to show enhanced images of the soft tissues and organs compared to other scanning techniques, e.g., CAT Scan, CT Scan or X-ray. This is a robust tool for imaging the: brain, spine, soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. May be known as MRI, NMRI and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

Malignant tumour

cancer cells that have formed a mass that appear to be invading surrounding tissues, and thus has spread in the form of metastasis (harmful growth) to other areas of the body. This tumour may destroy and spread to surrounding tissues.

Mammalian target of rapamycin

protein involved in cell division and survival and may be active in some cancer cells that in normal cells

Mammogram

type of Breast Cancer screening when an X-ray is taken of the breast region

Mastectomy

surgery performed to remove part of all of the breast that has cancer

Medical oncologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using biological therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or radiation therapy. This is most often the main physician for someone with cancer, to offer treatments, supportive care and coordinate treatments provided by other physicians or healthcare specialists.

Metastasis –

cancer cells in the body that have spread to one of more sites in the way of the bloodstream or lymph system:  Regional (local) metastasis; cancer that has spread to the lymph vessel, nodes, tissues or organs close to the primary site is as known as regional metastasis.  Distant metastasis cancer that has spread to organs or issues that are more distant in the body, e.g., not located in the bones, liver, or lungs, is called distant metastasis.

Metastasize

cancer cells that have spread to one or more other sites in the body, often by way of the bloodstream or lymph system

Metastatic

cancer described as having spread from the primary (starting point) site to other areas of the bodies structures or organs. This can be local or close to the original site, or a distant location to the body.

Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)

cancer that has spread outside of the breast, and it is still made up of Breast Cancer cells and is considered Breast Cancer

mRNA (Messenger ribonucleic acid)

an RNA (complex compound in the body) produced by transcription (written process of transcribing) that holds the code for a specific protein from the nuclear DNA for ribosome (small particle) in the cytoplasm (materials in a living cell without the nucleus). This compound functions as a template for the formation of that specific protein. It functions in the cellular protein synthesis (cells producing protein in two stages). Like DNA, mRNA is genetic information that is encoded in the sequence of the nucleotides (organic molecule) arranged into codons (sequence or categorization) consisting of three nucleotide bases each.

Multiple-gated acquisition (MUGA)

utilization of a scan with specialized equipment that has a small amount of radioactive material provided to assess or check how the heart is pumping

Mutation

a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that is part of a gene

Needle biopsy

utilize a fine needle to aspirate (draw up into the needle) fluid, tissue or cells from a tumour, cyst or mass. Another type is known as a core needle biopsy that utilizes a thicker needle to remove a sample from the tissue or cells from a tumour.

Neo-adjuvant therapy

occurs before the primary cancer treatment (surgery), and this includes: chemotherapy, hormone and radiation therapies utilized to shrink the cancerous tumour

Neuropathy

pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, or muscle weakness in different parts of the body resulting in nerve issues. It may start out minor in the hands and feet, and progress or worsen over time. Neuropathy may be caused by: infection, toxic substances, physical injury, or medication (drugs) including anticancer drugs, or disease, e.g., cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, or malnutrition, etc.

No evidence of disease (NED)

is a term utilized when testing shows no presence of cancer cells in a patient who was previously being treated for cancer. This is a more accurate term that remission.

Occult Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer that cannot be felt or seen on imaging (mammogram or ultrasound) and is usually diagnosed when the patient is investigated for symptoms elsewhere in the body, e.g., enlarged lymph nodes. A biopsy in another part of the body may have results showing secondary Breast Cancer cells.

Oncogenes

genes the promote growth or multiplication of cells. These genes are normally found in all cells, but oncogenes may be activated and undergo changes causing the cells to form tumours as they rapidly grow.

Oncologist

see medical oncologist

Oncologist nurse/nurse Practioner

a nurse who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer as part of the professional healthcare team. This is most often the main nurse for someone with cancer, to offer treatments, supportive care and coordinate treatments provided by other healthcare specialists.

Overall survival (OS)

represents the length of time from either the start of treatment, or the date of diagnosis that the patient is alive. This is utilized in clinical trials to report the patients average length of time.

Paget’s Disease

Breast Cancer that begins in the breast ducts and spread to the nipple and areola and accounts for less than 1 percent of all Breast Cancers. Patients have ductal cancer. Not to be confused with Paget’s Disease involving the bones of the body.

Palliative care

care provided to a patient with a serious or life-threatening disease to improve the quality of life (QOL). The main focus is provide comfort and aim to prevent or treat symptoms of the disease, and decrease the side effects related to the treatment of the actual disease. The focus is on physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of life.

Palliative health care team

a team of healthcare professionals including physician, nurses, clergy, and others who specialize in palliative care support

Partial response

decrease in the tumour size or the extent of cancer in the patient’s body. May be known as partial remission

Pathologist

scientist who specializes in the causes and effects of diseases. Examination of laboratory samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes is their focus of work

Pathology

the study of disease by examining tissues under a microscope by a specialty trained healthcare professional

Patient values (values)

what patients value (regard) when it comes to cancer treatment and how they measure quality of life (QOL)

Phyllodes Tumour

rare tumour the starts in the connective tissue (stroma) of the breast

Plastic surgeon

a physician who is trained in plastic surgery techniques such as breast reconstruction

Poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase inhibitor (PARP)

a substance that blocks an enzyme involved in the multiple functions of the cell, which includes the repair of DNA damage that may have been caused by normal cell actions, ultraviolet light, anticancer medication (drugs and radiation therapies. The result may be cancer cell death and is consider targeted therapy. May be known as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor.

Positron emission tomography scan (PET Scan)

utilizing specialized equipment for a medical imaging procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into the blood vessel (vein), and a scanner is utilized to make a precise, computerized picture of all of the areas inside of the body which the glucose is consumed. Cancer cells often utilize glucose more than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body. May be called positron emission tomography scan, PET imagine, or nuclear medical imaging.

Primary site

cancer that starts in one location originally

Progesterone

hormone that has a role in the female menstrual cycle and in the early stage of pregnancy

Prognosis

outlook of recovery and survival from a specific disease as anticipated from the typical course of that disease or indicated by special features of the case. Included are the patient’s life expectancy.

Progression

growth and spread of a disease such as Breast Cancer

Progression free survival (PFS)

length of time during and after treatment in which a patient is living with a disease that does not get worse. This may be utilized in a clinical trial (study), for research to assist in finding out how well a new treatment works.

Quality of life (QOL)

improving a patient’s QOL refers to the overall enjoyment of life and well-being. This is a part of clinical trials and cancer treatments. Healthcare professional and researchers refer to the well-being of the patient during and after their Breast Cancer treatment. This includes: physical, psychological, social and spiritual implications of the disease and treatments.

Radiation therapy

the utilization of specialized equipment that provides high-energy radiation from X-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to directly kill cancer cells and shrink tumours.  Radiation may be delivered either by:

  • Internal radiation therapy - material that is placed inside the body near the cancer cells, or;
  • External-beam radiation therapy- material that is placed outside the body from a machine).  

Systemic radiation therapy utilizes a radioactive substance, e.g., radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues through the body.  May be known as radiotherapy and irradiation.

Radiofrequency ablation

procedure that utilizes radio waves to heat up and destroy abnormal cells.  The radio waves travel though electrode (small devices that carry electricity).  Radiofrequency ablation may be utilized to treat cancer and other medical conditions.

Radiologist

a physician who specializes in the utilization of imaging (X-rays, ultrasound, CT, CAT, PET, MRI) to diagnose and treat diseases

Randomized clinical trial (RCT)

this is a comparison on the effects of different treatments by dividing clinical trials participants (patients) into different groups.  At the time of the clinical trial the proven treatment that is best or superior is unknown.

Real-world evidence

clinical evidence related ot the real-work data collected once the medication (drug) or treatment is approved, marketed and utilized by patient outside of the controlled clinical trial (research) setting.  Benefits and risks of the treatments are addressed.  The sources may be:  disease registries, electronic medical record (EMR), or electronic health record (EHR), product registries, and patient-reported data.

Recurrence

the return of cancer after the treatment program has ended and has three types:

  • Local recurrence - cancer has returned at the exact same place as the original cancer.  
  • Regional recurrence - cancer has come back after treatment in the lymph nodes near the primary site.  
  • Distant recurrence -cancer metastasizes after treatment to the body organs, or distant tissues, e.g., bone marrow, brain, liver or lungs, etc.  See also primary site metastasis, metastasize.  

Remission

when the signs (objective like a rash), and symptoms (objective like fatigue) of disease partly or completely disappear and may be temporary or permanent

Response rate

percentage of patients in a clinical trial whose cancer shrinks or disappears in response to the treatment

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

any of various nucleic acids that contain ribose and uracil as structural components and are associated with the control of cellular chemical activities.  RNA is transcribed from DNA by RNA polymerases, which are enzymes.  There are other enzymes that further process the cellular chemical activities.  The syntheses of proteins is central to RNA.

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT)

type of target internal radiotherapy (radiation) that utilizes radioactive beads to deliver radiation to the cancer.  

Side effect (adverse effect)

unwanted effect of Breast Cancer treatment.  

Single -Blinded study

a clinical trial (research) where the type of treatment is known to the patient that is a part of this study.  In a blinded study, the patient would not know the type of treatment given.

Situ (In situ)

description of the cancer or tumour confined to where is first started (original place) and has not spread to other parts of the body.

Sonography (ultrasound)

utilization of specialized equipment as a screening method for Breast Cancer and other body areas completed with ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves).  The ultrasound sound waves allow examination of the tissues and is excellent for screening younger patients under forty years of age, whether those are female or assigned female at birth.  It focuses on breast density as that may not appear clearly on a mammogram.  May be known as diagnostic ultrasound, or diagnostic medical sonography.

Stage or staging

testing and examinations performed to understand the extent of the cancer within the body and whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.  Treatment plans are developed based on staging of the Breast Cancer and are determined by the number of lymph nodes affected, the size of the tumour and whether it has spread to other tissues and/or parts of the body.

Stages of Breast Cancer

describes the amount (extent) of the cancer in the body.  Many factors are utilized, and the staging is based on whether the cancer is non-invasive or invasive, the size of the tumour, how many lymph nodes are involved, and if it has spread to other parts of the body. Staging cancer is one of the most critical factors in determining prognosis and treatment options for patients.  

Statistically significant

mathematical term that indicates when a difference is greater than what would be expected to happen by chance alone.

Stereotactic core biopsy

sample of tissue is obtained with a needle biopsy device connected to a mammogram machine and linked to a computer that assist to locate the exact position of the area to be biopsied.

Targeted therapy

group of medications (drugs) that block the growth and spread of cancer.  They  target and interfere with the process in the cells that cause cancer to grow.  May be known as biological therapies.

Triple -negative Breast Cancer (ER-negative, PR-negative, HER2/neu-negative) {TNBC}

refers to an assessment markers for Breast Cancer that lacks receptors for estrogen, progesterone and HER2 and thus tests negative for all three receptors.  May be higher in Africans, Hispanics, premenopausal women, and those with a BRCA1 mutation.

Triple assessment

assessment utilized to make the diagnosis of a benign breast condition or Breast Cancer.  This includes: the examination of the breast, imaging of the breast, and tissue sampling of the breast.

Tumour

a lump, mass or growth of abnormal cells that may not be cancerous (benign), or cancerous (malignant).

Tumour Angiogenesis

chemicals that are released from the tumour may cause new blood vessel formation. Tumour angiogenesis is the creation and growth of new blood vessels that tumours utilize as they grow within the body.

Tumour markers (molecular markers)

substance that may be created by normal cells, along with cancer cells.  Not all tumour markers have the same powerful importance in cancer since they may be linked to two or more other body tissues and not related specifically to cancer.  With cancer screening the substances are important to work toward a diagnosis.  Tumour markers have powerful importance in diagnosing cancer, or diagnosing a recurrence of cancer, and also aids in the  monitoring the response to cancer treatment.  Tumour markers examples include: 

  • CA 125 (ovarian cancer);
  • CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) with ovarian, lung, Breast Cancer;
  • ESR1 (estrogen receptor 1) Breast Cancer;
  • PGR (PgR) with ER+/HER2- Breast Cancer;
  • ERBB2 (HER2/HER2/neu) Breast Cancer, and; 
  • MK167 (Ki-67) cell increase or proliferation, etc.

Ultrasound (diagnostic)

utilization of specialized equipment as a screening method for Breast Cancer and other body areas completed with ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves).  The ultrasound sound waves allow examination of the tissues and is excellent for screening younger patients under forty years of age, whether those are female or assigned female at birth.  It focuses on breast density as that may not appear clearly on a mammogram.  May be known as diagnostic ultrasound, sonography or diagnostic medical sonography.

Unilateral

refers to one side of the body, either the right or left side of the body.

Values (patient values)

what patients value when it comes to cancer treatment and how they measure quality of life (QOL).

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

a substance made by cells that stimulates new blood vessel formation that allows for the growth of endothelial and tumour cells and the invasion of stromal cells into the tumour.

Washout period

term utilized to describe the process where a patient in a clinical trial is removed from taking a one or more medications in order to allow the medication time to leave their body and clear in the system.  

X-ray(s)

specific equipment utilized with an electromagnetic wave of high energy and a very short wavelength to produce.