Breast Health Dictionary

lobe: A somewhat rounded subdivision of a bodily organ or part.

lumpectomy: Surgically removing a lump from tissue.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A non-invasive method of obtaining images of internal soft bodily tissues through the use of powerful magnets and radio waves.

malignant: Cancerous, often used to describe a cancerous tumor.

mammary glands: The breast glands that form and carry milk to the nipples.

mammogram: An x-ray of the breast used to detect and diagnose breast disease.

mastalgia: Pain in the breast.

mastectomy: The surgical removal of the breasts.

mastitis: Inflammation of the breast, usually caused by infection.

metastasize: To spread from one part of the body to another, often used when describing cancer that has spread.

microcyst: A very tiny cyst.

oncogene: A gene that is associated with the development of cancer.