Glossary of Terms used in Breast Care

Benign

Non-cancerous condition

 

Biopsy

Procedure that will remove a portion of the mass or calcifications in order to make a diagnosis.  Can be performed by many different means:  core needle, fine needle, open surgical.

 

Chemotherapy

The use of drugs to deliver medications that can destroy cancer cells.  Considered systemic therapy because it travels to areas outside of the breast.  Can be given directly into a vein (intravenously or I.V.) or taken in a pill form.

 

Cyst

Non-cancerous fluid filled sac

 

Fibroadenoma

A smooth bordered, rubbery lump found in young women that is non-cancerous

 

Fibrocystic breasts

Also know as fibrocystic condition or lumpy breasts.  It is an exaggerated variation of normal breast changes.  Women will have increase lumps and pain around the time of their menstrual cycle.  This does not put women at increased risk for breast cancer.

 

Fine needle aspiration

A needle is placed within a cyst and the fluid is withdrawn

 

Hormonal Therapy

A form of chemotherapy that is used to block estrogen and progesterone receptors on tumor cells.  Some tumor cells use the estrogen and progesterone to grow.

 

Lymphedema

The build up of fluid in the arm and hand due to removal of the lymph nodes in the underarm area.  It can cause swelling, pain and tingling in the arm and hand.

 

Malignant

Cancerous cells that are rapidly growing

 

Mammogram

 X-ray of the breast