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National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)

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Glossary

Absolute risk

The chance of developing a specific disease over a specified time period

Adjuvant

Treatment given in addition to primary (initial) treatment. For breast cancer, the primary treatment is surgery and adjuvant treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapies and targeted therapies

Arthralgia

Pain in the joints

Axilla

The armpit

Biopsy

Removal of cells or tissue from the body for examination under a microscope

CA125

A protein found in the blood. CA125 is known as a tumour or cancer marker as increased levels may indicate that ovarian cancer is present

Carboplatin

A platinum-based chemotherapy drug

Chemotherapy

Treatment for cancer using drugs

Cisplatin

A platinum-based chemotherapy drug

Clinical trials

Studies that compare new treatments with standard treatments

Endocrine therapy

a type of hormonal treatment that acts to inhibit the grown of breast cancer cells that have hormone receptors (e.g. ovarian suppression, aromatase inhibitors and selective oestrogen receptor modulators)

Gamma probe

A small radiation detector used to detect cancer cells in the lymph nodes

Grade

A way of describing how fast cancer cells are growing. A low grade tumour (Grade 1) is growing slowly. A high grade tumour (Grade 3) is growing fast

HRT (Hormone replacement therapy)

Hormones (oestrogen, progesterone, or both) given to women after menopause. They are used to ease symptoms of menopause

Lymph

Fluid from the body's tissues that is collected by lymphatic vessels

Lymph nodes

Glands in the armpit and other parts of the body that protect the body from infection

Lymphoedema

Swelling of the arm or breast that can sometimes develop after treatment for cancer

Menopausal symptoms

Symptoms of menopause - may include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes and loss of sex drive

Multidisciplinary care

A team approach to cancer treatment and planning

Neoadjuvant

administration of therapy before the main treatment (e.g. prior to surgery)

Osteopenia

lower bone mineral density than normal but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis. Osteopenia may be a precursor to osteoporosis. Defined in trials as bone mineral density T score greater than -2.5 and less than -1.0

Osteoporosis

Thinning of the bones; can increase the risk of fracture

Ovarian cancer

Cancer that affects the ovaries

Ovaries

Small organs which lie next to the uterus (womb) and produce hormones and eggs

PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme)

A scheme managed by the Australian Government that provides medicines at a subsidised price to Australian residents who hold a current Medicare card and to overseas visitors from countries with which Australia has a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement

PET (positron emission tomography)

A scan that uses a radioactive tracer to detect cellular changes in the body

Paclitaxel

A type of chemotherapy drug

Radiologist

A health professional who examines mammograms, ultrasounds, X-rays and other imaging results and may perform biopsies or help locate cancers prior to surgery

Radiotherapy

Treatment for cancer in a particular area of the body using X-rays

Recurrence

Cancer that has come back after treatment

Risk factors

Things that increase your chance of developing cancer

Sentinel node biopsy

Removal of the first lymph node(s) in the armpit to which cancer cells are likely to spread from the breast

Stage

A way of describing how advanced a cancer is

Taxane

A type of chemotherapy drug

Thrush

An infection caused by yeast that appears as white patches on the tongue or mouth

X-ray

A way of taking a picture of the body using electromagnetic radiation

Published using CeCC Docbook Manager