Breast Health Dictionary

adenoma: A benign or malignant tumor made up of glandular tissue.

androgen: A hormone that produces male sexual characteristics.

anesthesia: A drug that blocks pain impulses from nerves. With general anesthesia that patient is unconscious, or asleep. With local anesthesia, the patient is conscious, or awake.

areola: The dark area that surrounds the nipple.

asymptomatic: Without symptoms.

axilla: The hollow area under the arm.

axillary dissection: Surgery to remove lymph nodes found in the armpit region.

benign: Not dangerous to one's health. Often used to describe non-cancerous tumors.

bilateral: On or affecting both sides of the body.

biopsy: Removing a piece of tissue to examine it and make a diagnosis.

blood count: The number of red cells, white cells and platelets in a given blood sample.

BRCA1: A gene that when damaged (mutated) places a woman at greater risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer.

BRCA2: A gene on chromosome 13 that normally helps suppress cell growth. A person who inherits an altered version of the BRCA2 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian and/or prostate cancer.

breast cancer: A cancerous tumor of the breast tissue.

breast conservation therapy: Surgery to remove both a cancerous tumor in the breast and a small amount of benign tissue surrounding the cancer without removing any other part of the breast.

breast implants: A prosthesis that is inserted into the breast and used to enhance or enlarge the breast.

breast reconstruction: Surgery to rebuild the breast following a mastectomy.

breast self-examination (BSE): The process by which women can examine their own breasts monthly. This process, which was developed by the American Cancer Society, can reveal breast problems in their early stages.

calcification: Deposits of calcium in the tissues. Calcification in the breast can be seen on a mammogram but cannot be detected by touch.

carcinoma: A malignant tumor that begins in the lining layer (epithelial cells) of organs.

chemotherapy: Using drugs to treat cancer.

clavicle: The collarbone.

colloid carcinoma: A rare, bulky, slow-growing variant of ductal breast cancer.

cyst: A fluid-filled mass that is usually benign.

cytology: The study of cells.

cytotoxic: An agent that is toxic to cells.

diagnostic mammogram: The use of a breast x-ray to evaluate the breasts of a woman who has symptoms of a breast disease or whose screening mammogram shows an abnormality.

diaphanography (dpg): An exam that involves shining a bright light through the breast to reveal features of the tissues inside.

ductal papilloma: Small, non-cancerous growths in the mammary ducts.

ducts: Tubes that transport the product of a gland.