Glossary of Terms

Introduction

Parts of this glossary have been taken or adapted from the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Dictionary and the American Breast Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Dictionary.

This glossary does not contain definitions of medications. To learn more about specific medications, visit the website of the National Cancer Institute.

Many thanks to the healthcare practitioners who reviewed portions of this glossary:

• Mechelle Barrick, RN, BSN, OCN, Greater Baltimore Medical Center
• Debra S. Copit, MD, Albert Einstein Medical Center
• Ann L. Honebrink, MD, Penn Health at Radnor
• Isabel I. Law, RN, South Carolina Comprehensive Breast Center
• Judith Macon, RN, MA, Suburban Hospital Cancer Program
• Suzanne McGettigan Bensman, MSN, CRNP, AOCN
• Lisa McGinty, RN, BSN, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania
• Maria Rocktashel, MSN, CRNP, Delaware Valley Surgical Associates
• Lynn M. Schuchter, MD, University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center
• Michele D. Stolper, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Fionda N. Williams, RN, BSN, Baltimore City Cancer Program

Glossary

Halsted radical mastectomy

Surgery for breast cancer in which the breast, chest muscles, and all of the lymph nodes under the arm are removed. For many years, this was the breast cancer operation used most often, but it is used rarely now. Doctors consider radical mastectomy only when the tumor has spread to the chest muscles. Also called radical mastectomy.

hamartoma

Pronunciation: (ham-ar-TOE-ma)

A benign (noncancerous) growth made up of an abnormal mixture of cells and tissues normally found in the area of the body where the growth occurs.

hand-foot syndrome

A condition marked by pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or redness of the hands or feet. It sometimes occurs as a side effect of certain breast cancer medications. Also known as palmar-plantar erythodysthesia.

happy major

Arctium lappa. A plant whose seeds and root have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects. Also called burdock and lappa.

hawthorn fruit

The fruit of the hawthorn tree or bush. It has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems, including heart problems and gastrointestinal problems.

HCP

Healthcare proxy. A type of advance directive that gives a person (such as a relative, lawyer, or friend) the authority to make healthcare decisions for another person. It becomes active when that person loses the ability to make decisions for himself or herself.

Hedyotis diffusa

An herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat certain medical problems. It has been used to boost the immune system and may have anticancer effects.

helical computed tomography

A detailed picture of areas inside the body. The pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine that scans the body in a spiral path. Also called spiral CT scan.

helper T cell

A type of white blood cell that helps stimulate immune system reactions. Helper T cells help activate cytotoxic T cells and macrophages by secreting cytokines. They also stimulate B cells to make antibodies.

hematocrit

The percentage of red blood cells in the blood.

hematogenous

Originating in the blood or spread through the bloodstream.

hematologist

Pronunciation: (hee-ma-TOL-o-jist)

A doctor who specializes in treating blood disorders.

hematoma

Blood collected outside a blood vessel caused by a leak or injury. Hematomas can occur in the breast after an injury or surgery.

hematopoiesis

The forming of new blood cells.

hematopoietic growth factor

A group of proteins that cause blood cells to grow and mature.

hematopoietic tissue

Tissue in which new blood cells are formed.

hemoglobin

Pronunciation: (HE-muh-GLOW-bun)

The substance inside red blood cells that binds to oxygen and carries it from the lungs to the tissues.

hemorrhage

In medicine, loss of blood from damaged blood vessels. A hemorrhage may be internal or external, and usually involves a lot of bleeding in a short time.

hepatic

Refers to the liver.

hepatic arterial infusion

A procedure to deliver chemotherapy directly to the liver. Catheters are put into an artery in the groin that leads directly to the liver, and medications are given through the catheters.

hepatic artery

The major blood vessel that carries blood to the liver.

hepatic portal vein

A blood vessel that carries blood to the liver from the stomach, small and large intestines, spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder. Also called portal vein.

HER family

Related epidermal growth factor receptors found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing some cells to divide. Elevated expression of the various EGFR family members have been found in some breast cancers. When they are found, these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor.

HER1

Epidermal growth factor receptor. The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, including some breast cancer cells, so these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor. Also known as EGFR or ErbB1.

HER2/neu

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The HER2/neu protein is involved in the growth of some breast cancer cells. Also called c-erbB-2.

HER2/neu gene

The gene that makes the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The protein produced is HER2/neu, which is involved in the growth of some breast cancer cells. Also called c-erbB-2.

herba scutellaria barbatae

An herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects.

hereditary

Pronunciation: (ha-RED-ih-tair-ee)

Transmitted from parent to child by information contained in the genes.

hereditary mutation

A gene change in the body's reproductive cells (egg or sperm) that becomes incorporated into the DNA of every cell in the body of offspring; hereditary mutations are passed on from parents to offspring. Breast cancer gene mutations are hereditary. Also called germline mutation.

heterogeneous

Made up of elements or ingredients that are not alike.

heterogenic

Pronunciation: (het-er-o-JEN-ik)

Derived from a different source or species. Also called heterogenous.

heterogenous

Derived from a different source or species. Also called heterogenic.

high grade

When referring to cancerous and precancerous growths, a term used to describe cells that look abnormal under a microscope. These cells are more likely to grow and spread quickly than cells in low-grade cancerous and precancerous growths.

high-dose chemotherapy

An intensive treatment to kill breast cancer cells, but that also destroys the bone marrow and can cause other severe side effects. High-dose chemotherapy is usually followed by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation to rebuild the bone marrow.

high-dose-rate remote brachytherapy

A type of internal breast cancer radiation treatment in which the radioactive source is removed between treatments. Also called high-dose-rate remote radiation therapy or remote brachytherapy.

high-dose-rate remote radiation therapy

A type of internal breast cancer radiation treatment in which the radioactive source is removed between treatments. Also called high-dose-rate remote brachytherapy or remote brachytherapy.

high-energy photon therapy

A type of breast cancer radiation therapy that uses high-energy photons (units of light energy). High-energy photons penetrate deeply into tissues to reach tumors while giving less radiation to superficial tissues such as the skin.

high-risk cancer

Breast cancer that is likely to recur (come back), or spread.

hilar

Refers to the area where nerves and blood vessels attach to an organ.

histologic examination

The examination of tissue specimens under a microscope.

histology

The study of tissues and cells under a microscope.

histone

A type of protein found in chromosomes. Histones bind to DNA, help give chromosomes their shape, and help control the activity of genes.

histone deacetylase

HDAC. An enzyme that changes the way histone binds to DNA. HDAC inhibitors are being studied as a treatment for cancer.

historic cohort study

A research study in which the medical records of groups of individuals who are alike in many ways but differ by a certain characteristic (for example, female nurses who smoke and those who do not smoke) are compared for a particular outcome (such as breast cancer). Also called a retrospective cohort study.

historical control subject

An individual treated in the past and used in a comparison group when researchers analyze the results of a clinical study that had no control group. The use of a control, or comparison, group helps researchers determine the effects of a new treatment more accurately.

holy thistle

Cnicus benedictus. A plant whose leaves, stems, and flowers have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. Holy thistle may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Also called blessed thistle, St. Benedict's thistle, cardin, and spotted thistle.

homeopathic medicine

An alternative approach to medicine based on the belief that natural substances, prepared in a special way and used most often in very small amounts, restore health. According to these beliefs, in order for a remedy to be effective, it must cause in a healthy person the same symptoms being treated in the sick person. Also called homeopathy.

hormonal therapy

Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. To slow or stop the growth of some breast cancers, synthetic hormones or other medications may be given to block the body's natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the gland that makes a certain hormone. Also called hormone therapy, hormone treatment, or endocrine therapy.

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 level

The level of some chemicals made by glands in the body.

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 receptor negative

Breast cancer cells that do not grow in the presence of estrogen or progesterone.

hormone receptor positive

Breast cancer cells that grow in the presence of estrogen or progesterone.

hormone receptor test

A test to measure the amount of certain proteins, called hormone receptors, in breast cancer tissue. Hormones can attach to these proteins. A high level of hormone receptors may mean that hormones help the breast cancer grow.

hormone replacement therapy

HRT. Hormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to women after menopause to replace the hormones no longer produced by the ovaries. Also called menopausal hormone therapy.

hormone responsive

In oncology, describes breast cancer that responds to hormone treatment.

hormone therapy

Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. To slow or stop the growth of some breast cancers, synthetic hormones or other medications may be given to block the body's natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the gland that makes a certain hormone. Also called hormonal therapy, hormone treatment, or endocrine therapy.

hormone treatment

Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. To slow or stop the growth of some breast cancers, synthetic hormones or other drugs may be given to block the body's natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the gland that makes a certain hormone. Also called hormonal therapy, hormone therapy, or endocrine therapy.

hospice

Pronunciation: (HOS-pis)

A program that provides special care for people who are near the end of life and for their families, either at home, in freestanding facilities, or within hospitals.

hot flash

A sudden, temporary onset of body warmth, flushing, and sweating (often associated with menopause). Hot flashes are a side effect of some breast cancer treatments.

hotspot

In genetics, an area of DNA that is likely to mutate (change).

HRT

Hormone replacement therapy. Hormones (estrogen, progesterone, or both) given to women after menopause to replace the hormones no longer produced by the ovaries. Also called menopausal hormone therapy.

Huang Lian

A Chinese herb that has been used as a treatment for a variety of medical problems. It is being studied as an anticancer drug.

human epidermal growth factor receptor 2

HER2/neu. The HER2/neu protein is involved in growth of some breast cancer cells. Also called c-erbB-2.

hydration

Combining with water.

hygiene

Pronunciation: (HY-jeen)

The science of health, and the practice of cleanliness that promotes good health and well-being.

hyperalimentation

A form of nutrition that is delivered into a vein. Hyperalimentation does not use the digestive system. It may be given to people who are unable to absorb nutrients through the intestinal tract because of vomiting that won't stop, severe diarrhea, or intestinal disease. It may also be given to those undergoing high-dose chemotherapy or radiation and bone marrow transplantation. It is possible to give all of the protein, calories, vitamins and minerals a person needs using parenteral nutrition. Also known as parenteral or total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

hypericum perforatum

St. John's wort. An herbal product sold as an over-the-counter treatment for depression. It is being studied for its ability to lessen certain side effects of breast cancer treatment.

hyperplasia

Pronunciation: (hye-per-PLAY-zha)

An abnormal increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue.

hypersensitivity

An exaggerated response by the immune system to a medication or other substance.

hypertension

Abnormally high blood pressure.

hyperthermia therapy

Pronunciation: (hy-per-THER-mee-a)

A type of treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures to damage and kill cancer cells or to make cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation and certain anticancer drugs.

hyperthermic perfusion

A procedure in which a warmed solution containing anticancer medications is used to bathe, or is passed through the blood vessels of, the tissue or organ containing the tumor.

hypervascular

Having a large number of blood vessels.

hypnosis

A trance-like state in which a person becomes more aware and focused and is more open to suggestion.

hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood sugar.

hypotension

Abnormally low blood pressure.

hypothesis

A tentative proposal made to explain certain observations or facts that requires further investigation to be verified.

hypoxia

A condition in which there is a decrease in the oxygen supply to a tissue. In breast cancer treatment, the level of hypoxia in a tumor may help predict the response of the tumor to the treatment.

hypoxic

Having too little oxygen.

hysterectomy

Pronunciation: (hiss-ter-EK-toe-mee)

Surgery to remove the uterus and, sometimes, the cervix. When the uterus and part or all of the cervix are removed, it is called a total hysterectomy. When only the uterus is removed, it is called a partial hysterectomy.

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