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

nanogram

A measure of weight. One nanogram weighs a billion times less than one gram, and almost a trillion-times less than a pound.

narcotic

An agent that causes insensibility or stupor; usually refers to opioids given to relieve pain.

natural killer cell

NK cell. A type of white blood cell that contains granules with enzymes that can kill breast tumor cells or microbial cells. Also called a large granular lymphocyte.

nausea

A feeling of sickness or discomfort in the stomach that may come with an urge to vomit. Nausea is a side effect of some types of breast cancer therapy.

nebulizer

A device used to turn liquid into a fine spray.

neck dissection

Pronunciation: (dye-SEK-shun)

Surgery to remove lymph nodes and other tissues in the neck.

necrosis

Pronunciation: (ne-KRO-sis)

Refers to the death of living tissues.

needle biopsy

The removal of tissue or fluid from a breast tumor with a needle for examination under a microscope. Also called fine-needle aspiration.

needle localization

A procedure that uses very thin needles or guide wires to mark the location of an abnormal area of breast tissue so it can be surgically removed. An imaging device is used to place the wire in or around the abnormal area. Needle localization is used when the doctor cannot feel the mass of abnormal tissue.

needle-localized biopsy

A procedure that uses very thin needles or guide wires to mark the location of an abnormal area of breast tissue so it can be surgically removed. An imaging device is used to place the wire in or around the abnormal area. Needle localization is used when the doctor cannot feel the mass of abnormal tissue.

negative axillary lymph node

A lymph node in the armpit that is free of breast cancer.

negative test result

A test result that fails to show breast cancer or another condition for which the test was being done.

neoadjuvant therapy

Pronunciation: (NEE-o-AD-joo-vant)

Treatment given before the primary treatment. Examples of neoadjuvant therapy include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.

neoplasia

Pronunciation: (NEE-o-PLAY-zha)

Abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth.

neoplasm

Also called tumor. An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous).

nephrotoxic

Poisonous or damaging to the kidney.

nerve

A bundle of fibers that receives and sends messages between the body and the brain. The messages are sent by chemical and electrical changes in the cells that make up the nerves.

nerve block

A procedure in which medicine is injected directly into or around a nerve or into the spine to block pain.

nerve cell

A type of cell that receives and sends messages from the body to the brain and back to the body. The messages are sent by a weak electrical current. Also called a neuron.

neural

Having to do with nerves or the nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord.

neuro-oncologist

Pronunciation: (NOO-ro-on-KOL-o-jist)

A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating brain tumors and other tumors of the nervous system.

neurobehavioral

Having to do with the way the brain affects emotion, behavior, and learning. Some breast cancer treatments may cause neurobehavioral problems.

neurocognitive

Having to do with the ability to think and reason. This includes the ability to concentrate, remember things, process information, learn, speak, and understand. Some breast cancer treatments may impact neurocognitive functions.

neuroepithelial

Having to do with tissue made up of sensory cells, such as tissue found in the ear, nose, and tongue.

neurofibroma

A benign tumor that develops from the cells and tissues that cover nerves.

neurologic

Pronunciation: (noor-uh-LOJ-ik)

Having to do with nerves or the nervous system.

neurological exam

A series of questions and tests to check brain, spinal cord, and nerve function. The exam checks a person's mental status, coordination, ability to walk, and how well the muscles, sensory systems, and deep tendon reflexes work.

neurologist

Pronunciation: (noo-ROL-o-jist)

A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system.

neuroma

Pronunciation: (noo-RO-ma)

A tumor that arises in nerve cells.

neuron

A type of cell that receives and sends messages from the body to the brain and back to the body. The messages are sent by a weak electrical current. Also called a nerve cell.

neuropathologist

A pathologist who specializes in diseases of the nervous system. A pathologist identifies disease by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.

neuropathy

A problem in peripheral nerve function (any part of the nervous system except the brain and spinal cord) that causes pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, and muscle weakness in various parts of the body. Neuropathies may be caused by physical injury, infection, toxic substances, disease (e.g., cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, or malnutrition), or anticancer medications. Also called peripheral neuropathy.

neuropeptide

A member of a class of protein-like molecules made in the brain. Neuropeptides consist of short chains of amino acids, with some functioning as neurotransmitters and some functioning as hormones.

neuroradiologist

A doctor trained in radiology who specializes in creating and interpreting pictures of the nervous system. The pictures are produced using forms of radiation, such as x-rays, sound waves, or other types of energy.

neurosurgeon

Pronunciation: (NOO-ro-SER-jun)

A doctor who specializes in surgery on the brain, spine, and other parts of the nervous system.

neurotoxicity

The tendency of some breast cancer treatments to cause damage to the nervous system.

neurotoxin

A substance that is poisonous to nerve tissue.

neutropenia

An abnormal decrease in the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell. Women affected by breast cancer may experience neutropenia as a side effect of chemotherapy treatment or, less frequently, as a side effect of other treatments or the cancer itself. Neutropenia puts a person at risk for fungal or bacterial infections.

niacinamide

A vitamin being studied to increase the effect of radiation therapy on breast tumor cells. Also called nicotinamide.

nicotiana tabacum

Tobacco. A plant with leaves that have high levels of the addictive chemical nicotine. The leaves may be smoked (in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes), applied to the gums (as dipping and chewing tobacco), or inhaled (as snuff). Tobacco leaves also contain many cancer-causing chemicals, and tobacco use and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke has been linked to many types of cancer and other diseases.

nicotinamide

A vitamin being studied to increase the effect of radiation therapy on breast tumor cells. Also called niacinamide.

nicotine

Pronunciation: (NIH-kuh-TEEN)

An addictive, poisonous chemical found in tobacco. It can also be made in the laboratory. When it enters the body, nicotine causes an increased heart rate and use of oxygen by the heart, and a sense of well-being and relaxation. It is also used as an insecticide.

nipple

In anatomy, the small raised area in the center of the breast through which milk can flow to the outside.

nipple discharge

Fluid coming from the nipple. Nipple discharge does not necessarily indicate breast cancer, but you should discuss it with your healthcare provider.

NK cell

Natural killer cell. A type of white blood cell that contains granules with enzymes that can kill breast tumor cells or microbial cells. Also called a large granular lymphocyte.

nodal status

Whether lymph nodes tested from the armpit show the presence of breast cancer. If nodes are positive, they contain breast cancer; if they are negative, they do not. The nodal status can help predict the risk of recurrence and help determine treatment options.

node

Also called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes remove waste and fluid from cells that fight infections and cancer.

node-negative

Breast cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes.

node-positive

Breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.

nodular parenchyma

A small mass of tissue within a gland or organ that carries out the specialized functions of the gland or organ.

nodule

Pronunciation: (NOD-yool)

A growth or lump that may be cancerous or noncancerous.

nomogram

Pronunciation: (NAH-moh-GRAM)

A mathematical device or model that shows relationships between things. For example, a nomogram of height and weight measurements can be used to find the surface area of a person, without doing the math, to determine the right dose of chemotherapy. Nomograms of the characteristics of a person and a disease can help predict the outcome of some kinds of breast cancer.

nonblinded

Describes a clinical trial or other experiment in which the researchers know what treatments are being given to each individual in the study or experimental group. If human beings are involved, they know what treatments they are receiving.

nonconsecutive case series

A clinical study that includes some, but not all, of the eligible people identified by the researchers during the study registration period. This type of study does not usually have a control group.

nonhematologic cancer

Cancer that does not begin in the blood or bone marrow.

noni

Morinda citrifolia. A tropical shrub. An extract from the fruit is being studied as a treatment for cancer, and extracts from the fruit, leaves, or roots have been used in some cultures to treat other diseases.

nonmalignant

Not cancerous.

nonmetastatic

Cancer that has not spread from the breast to other sites in the body.

nonopioid

Amedication that is not an opioid. Examples include acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

nonprescription

A medicine that can be bought without a prescription (doctor's order). Examples include analgesics (pain relievers) such as aspirin and acetaminophen. Also called over-the-counter (OTC).

nonrandomized clinical trial

A clinical trial in which the participants are not assigned by chance to different treatment groups. Participants may choose which group they want to be in, or they may be assigned to the groups by the researchers.

nonspecific immune cell

A cell (such as a phagocyte or a macrophage) that responds to many antigens, not just one antigen.

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

NSAID. A medication that decreases fever, swelling, pain, and redness. For example, ibuprofen is an NSAID.

nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor

A medication that decreases the production of sex hormones (estrogen or testosterone) and slows the growth of breast tumors that need sex hormones to grow. For example, anastrazole (brand name: Arimidex) and letrozole (brand name: Femara).

nontoxic

Not harmful or destructive.

NPO

A Latin abbreviation for "nothing by mouth."

NR-LU-10 antigen

A protein found on the surface of some breast cancers.

NSAID

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. A drug that decreases fever, swelling, pain, and redness. For example, ibuprofen is an NSAID.

nuclear grade

An evaluation of the size and shape of the nucleus in tumor cells and the percentage of tumor cells that are in the process of dividing or growing. Breast cancers with low nuclear grade grow and spread less quickly than cancers with high nuclear grade.

nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

Pronunciation: (NOO-klee-er mag-NET-ik REZ-o-nans IM-a-jing)

NMRI. A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. NMRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as CT or X-ray. NMRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

nuclear medicine scan

A method of diagnostic imaging that uses very small amounts of radioactive material. The person is injected with a liquid that contains the radioactive substance, which collects in the part of the body to be imaged. Sophisticated instruments detect the radioactive substance in the body and process that information into an image.

nulliparous

A woman who has never given birth.

nurse

A health professional trained to care for people who are ill or disabled.

nurse practitioner

A registered nurse with a master's or doctoral degree. Licensed nurse practitioners are trained to diagnose and manage illness and disease. In some states, NPs can prescribe medications.

nutraceutical

A food or dietary supplement that is believed to provide health benefits.

nutrient

A chemical compound (such as protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, or minerals) that make up foods. These compounds are used by the body to function and grow.

nutrition

The taking in and use of food and other nourishing material by the body. Nutrition is a 3-part process. First, food or drink is consumed. Second, the body breaks down the food or drink into nutrients. Third, the nutrients travel through the bloodstream to different parts of the body where they are used as "fuel" and for many other purposes. To give the body proper nutrition, a person has to eat and drink enough of the foods that contain key nutrients.

nutritionist

A health professional with special training in nutrition who can help with dietary choices. Also called a dietitian.

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