Abnormal mammogram
Not usual or not normal. The types of abnormal findings on a mammogram include a mass, solid-appearing dense areas, calcifications and asymmetry. An abnormal finding is not unusual, particularly if a woman has dense or lumpy breast tissue. Most importantly, abnormal does not equal cancer. The vast majority of abnormal mammograms prove to be benign.

Advanced cancer
A stage of cancer where the disease has spread from the primary site to other parts of the body.  When the cancer has spread only to the surrounding areas, it is called locally advanced. If it has spread further by traveling through the bloodstream, it is called metastatic.

Areola
The circular area of dark colored skin around the nipple on the breast.

Aspiration
Removal of fluid from a cyst or cells from a lump, using a needle and syringe.

Atypical
Not usual or not normal. Atypical cells are abnormal cells. They do not necessarily progress to cancer. 

Atypical hyperplasia
A benign condition in which the cells have abnormal features and are reproducing more rapidly than normal. Atypical hyperplasia moderately increases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.

Average risk (for breast cancer)
A measure of the chances of getting breast cancer without the presence of any specific factors known to be associated with the disease.

Benign
Not cancerous. Benign growths do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Benign breast conditions can cause pain, lumpiness, nipple discharge, and other problems.

Bi-lateral cancer
Cancer that occurs in both paired organs, such as both breasts.

Bi-lateral mastectomy
Surgery that removes all of both breasts.

Biopsy
A procedure used to remove cells or tissues in order to look at them under a microscope to check for signs of disease.  When an entire tumor or lesion is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy.  When only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy or core biopsy.  When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy or fine needle aspiration.

Breast conservation (or breast sparing) surgery
An operation that completely removes the breast cancer along with a rim of normal breast tissue around it. Most of the normal breast is saved. Surgery types are lumpectomy, quadrantectomy, and segmental mastectomy.

Breast self-exam
A procedure to examine the breasts thoroughly once a month to detect any changes or suspicious lumps.

Calcifications
Small deposits of calcium in breast tissue. Calcifications usually can't be felt, but they appear on a mammogram. Macrocalcifications (coarse calcifications) are usually not associated with cancer. Microcalcifications (fine calcifications) are usually benign but can sometimes indicate the presence of an early breast cancer when they are found in certain clusters.

Cancer
A term for many diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. 

Carcinogen
Any substance that can cause cancer.

Carcinoma
Cancer that begins in tissues covering or lining the surfaces of parts of the body such as the skin, uterus, lung or breast. Most cancers are carcinomas.

Chemoprevention
The use of drugs, vitamins or other agents to prevent cancer in people who have precancerous conditions or a high risk of cancer, or to prevent the recurrence of cancer in people who have already been treated for it.

Chemoprotective
A quality of some drugs used in cancer treatment.  Chemoprotective agents protect healthy tissue from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs.

Chemotherapy
Treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells.  Chemotherapy is often used in addition to surgery or radiation to treat cancer when metastasis is proven or suspected, when the cancer has recurred, or when there is a strong likelihood that the cancer could recur.

Clinical breast exam
A physical examination by a doctor or nurse of the breast, underarm and surrounding areas.

Clinical trial
A research study that tests how well new medical treatments or other interventions work in people.  Each study is designed to test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease.  For an in depth look at the details of participating in a clinical trial see Second Opinion Episode #402 on Clinical Trials / Parkinson's Disease.

Cyclic breast changes
Normal tissue changes that occur in response to the changing levels of female hormones during the menstrual cycle. Cyclic breast changes can produce swelling, tenderness and pain.

Cyst
A fluid-filled sac or capsule. Cysts are quite common and rarely associated with cancer. A breast cyst often changes size with the menstrual cycle and caffeine consumption.

Cytology
The study of cells.

Dense breast tissue
The presence of more glandular tissue than fat. Younger women's breasts are normally dense. As women age, there's less breast tissue left and more fat. Denseness makes it more difficult to read a mammogram.

Diagnostic mammogram
X-ray of the breasts used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of breast cancer has been found.

Duct
A hollow structure in the breast through which milk passes from the milk gland (lobule) to the nipple.

Ductal carcinoma in situ [also called DCIS or intraductal carcinoma]
Abnormal breast cells that involve only the lining of a milk duct. These cells have not spread outside the duct into the normal surrounding breast tissue.

Ductography
The traditional X-ray method of evaluating milk ducts.  A contrast agent is injected into the responsible duct, then mammography is performed. If a "filling defect" is seen, it might be benign growths (called papillomas) or cancer. 

Ductoscopy
With ductoscopy, a tiny lighted tube is inserted into the breast duct so the physician can evaluate the lining of the breast duct for changes and abnormalities.

Ductal lavage
A minimally invasive method of collecting cells inside the milk ducts (the site of origin of most breast cancers).  By repeatedly "lavaging" (washing) the duct system, thousands of cells are collected for analysis. 

Estrogen receptor
This is a special type of protein found on some cancer cells. Estrogen attaches to it, and this can cause cancer cells to grow.

False negative mammogram
A mammogram that misses cancer when it is present.

False positive mammogram
A mammogram that indicates breast cancer is present when the disease is truly absent.

Fibrocystic breast condition
A benign breast condition caused by cyclical hormones. Multiple cysts of various sizes develop in one or both breasts and can cause discomfort or pain that fluctuates with the menstrual cycle.

Generalized breast lumpiness
Benign breast irregularities and lumpiness. Sometimes called "fibrocystic disease" or "benign breast disease."

Hormone  
A chemical made by glands in the body. Hormones circulate in the bloodstream and control the actions of certain cells or organs. Some hormones can also be made in a laboratory.

Hormone receptor
A protein on the surface of a cell that binds to a specific hormone. The hormone causes many changes to take place in the cell.

Hormone therapy
Treatment of cancer by removing, blocking or adding hormones.

Hyperplasia
An abnormal increase in the number of cells in a specific area, such as the lining of the breast ducts or the lobules.  By itself, hyperplasia is not cancerous, but when the proliferation is marked and/or the cells are atypical, the risk of cancer developing is greater.

Immunotherapy
Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the patient's immune system to fight infection and disease or lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments.  Also called biological therapy or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy.

In situ
A term that refers to cancers that have not grown beyond their original site.

Intraductal disease
Disease residing within the duct of the breast which may be benign or malignant.

Invasive cancer
Cancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding, healthy tissues.  Also called infiltrating cancer.

Inverted nipple
The turning inward of the nipple. Usually a congenital condition; but, if it occurs where it has not previously existed, it can be a sign of breast cancer.

Lesion
Any abnormal area of tissue. Can be used to describe a benign or malignant growth.

Lifetime risk (for breast cancer)
Lifetime risk is vastly different than age-specific risk. Meaning that between the ages of 30 to 40, for instance, your risk of developing breast cancer is 1 in 252 (or 0.3%). Because breast cancer risk becomes greater as women age, the 1 in 8 figure simply says that a woman born today has that chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer sometime during her life.

Lobules
Milk-producing glands of the breast.

Localized cancer
A cancerous growth that has not spread to other parts of the body.

Local treatment
Treatment directed to one part of the body.

Lump
Any kind of abnormal mass.

Lumpectomy
Surgery to remove the tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it. 

Lymph node
A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue.  Also known as lymph gland.  Lymph nodes are spread out along lymphatic vessels and they contain many lymphocytes, which filter the lymphatic fluid.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A procedure in which a magnet linked to a computer is used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body.  It is particularly useful in screening young women with dense breast tissue who may have a high risk of developing breast cancer. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1991 for use as a supplemental tool, in addition to mammography, to help diagnose breast cancer. MRI is also useful for staging breast cancer to help determine the most appropriate treatment.

Malignancy
State of being cancerous.

Mammography
This low-dose X-ray provides a picture of the internal structure of the breast. A mammogram can be done to screen for signs of abnormalities, such as tumors and cysts, or to evaluate a specific area of concern or problem that was detected during screening or physical examination. Mammography is currently the only FDA approved exam to be used to screen for breast cancer in women with no symptoms of the disease (such as a breast lump).

Mastectomy
This procedure ranges from simple mastectomy, where just the breast is removed, to radical mastectomy, where the entire breast and underarm lymph nodes are removed.

There are four general types of mastectomy:

Subcutaneous Mastectomy
Removal of the entire breast but leaving the nipple and areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple)

Total (Simple) Mastectomy
Removal of the whole breast but not the lymph nodes under the arm 

Modified Radical Mastectomy
Removal of the whole breast and most of the lymph nodes under the arm 

Radical Mastectomy
Removal of the chest wall muscles (pectorals) in addition to the breast and maxillary lymph nodes. This operation is rarely used today, and is mostly of historical interest

Metastasis
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.  Tumors formed from cells that have spread are called secondary tumors and contain cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumor.

Needle aspiration
A type of biopsy in which a fine needle is inserted into a tumor or cyst.  Small amounts of cells or fluid are removed and tested for cancer.

Needle core biopsy
A type of biopsy.  A small cutting needle is used to remove a core of tissue for examination under a microscope to look for the presence of cancer.

Nodularity
Increased density of breast tissue, most often due to hormonal changes, which cause the breast to feel lumpy in texture. It usually occurs in both breasts and is not a risk factor for breast cancer.

Oncogenes
Proto-oncogenes are normal genes responsible for the division process of the cells.  When a proto-oncogene mutates (and becomes an oncogene), cells may divide uncontrollably.

Oncologist
A doctor specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.  Medical oncologists specialize in the use of chemotherapy and other drugs to treat cancer.  Radiation oncologists specialize in the use of radiation to kill tumors.  Surgical oncologists specialize in performing operations to treat cancer.

Palliative Care
A multidisciplinary team of providers usually provides palliative care which encompasses the biological, psychological, social and spiritual care of patients with serious illness.  Palliative care pays special attention to treating pain and other uncomfortable physical symptoms, to helping patients and families fully participate in difficult medical decision-making, and to enhancing psychosocial support.  Palliative care is generally delivered along side usual disease-directed medical therapies for breast cancer such as chemotherapy, surgery or radiation, though in later stages of the illness it may become the primary focus of treatment.

Pathology
The study of disease through the microscopic examination of body tissues and organs.

Primary cancer
The original cancer.  Primary cancer is usually named after the organ in which it starts (for example, cancer that starts in the breast is always breast cancer even if it metastasizes to other organs, such as bones or lungs).

Progesterone  
A female hormone.

Progesterone receptor negative (PR-)
Breast cancer cells that do not have a protein (receptor molecule) to which progesterone will attach. Breast cancer cells that are PR- do not need the hormone progesterone to grow and usually do not respond to hormonal therapy.

Progesterone receptor positive  (PR+)
Breast cancer cells that have a protein (receptor molecule) to which progesterone will attach. Breast cancer cells that are PR+ need the hormone progesterone to grow and will usually respond to hormonal therapy.

Prognosis
The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery.

Radiation therapy
The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, neutrons and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

Radical mastectomy
Surgery to remove the breast, chest muscles and all of the lymph nodes in the armpit.

Reconstruction after mastectomy
This surgery recreates the breast for women who have undergone breast removal due to cancer or other disease. Reconstruction can be done with implants or with the patient's own tissue.

Recurrence
The return of cancer, at the same site of origin (primary) or in another location, after it had disappeared.

Regional involvement
The spread of cancer from the original tumor to nearby body parts.

Remission
Disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer.  A remission may be temporary or permanent.

Sarcoma
Malignant tumors that arise from bone, muscle, fat, or connective tissue.  Several types of sarcoma (such as angiosarcoma, liposarcoma and malignant phylloides tumor) can rarely develop in the breast. 

Screening
The search for disease, such as cancer, in people without symptoms. 

Secondary tumor
A tumor that forms as a result of spread (metastasis) of cancer from its site of origin.

Stage
The extent of a cancer within the body, including whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. 

Stereotactic breast biopsy
This is a safe and minimally invasive form of breast biopsy. It is an alternative to open or surgical biopsy.  Two x-ray images of breast tissue are taken at different angles. A computer uses the images to locate the abnormality and calculate precise coordinates. Then the computer guides the physician in placing a needle at the target. A biopsy is then performed of the area localized by the needle, which increases yield of the suspicious tissue and minimizing sacrificing the normal surrounding breast tissue. Biopsies are the only definitive way to confirm that a breast abnormality is benign (non-cancerous) or not.

Systemic
Affecting the entire body.

Tumor
An abnormal growth of tissue. Tumors may be either benign or cancerous.

Tumor marker
A substance sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood, other body fluids or tissues and may mean that a certain type of cancer is in the body.  For example, CA 15-3 is a marker for breast cancer.  Also called biomarker.

Tumor suppressor genes
Genes that decrease the cells division process or cause cells to die.

Ultrasound
An imaging method in which high-frequency sound waves are used to outline a part of the body.  High-frequency waves are transmitted through the area of the body being studied.  The sound wave echoes are picked up and displayed on a computer screen. Breast ultrasound is frequently used when an abnormality found on a mammogram or by clinical physical exam is believed to be a cyst (a fluid-filled pocket). However, ultrasound does not provide as much detail as a mammogram image and is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a screening tool for breast cancer. It is sometimes used to guide needle biopsy of breast abnormalities too small to feel. 

X-rays
One form of radiation that can, at low levels, produce an image of the body on film, and at high levels, can destroy cancer cells.