5-alpha Reductase: Enzyme in prostatic cells that converts testosterone to the more active dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Certain drugs such as finasteride (Proscar), referred to as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, block this enzyme.
ABCD staging system: Older staging system to evaluate size and extent of prostate cancer. Now largely replaced by TNM system. Synonyms: American staging system, Whitmore-Jewett staging system.
Ablation: Destruction or removal.
Adenocarcinoma: Cancer which arises from gland-forming tissue and consists of malignant glands.
Adjuvant therapy: Additional treatment that acts independently or synergistically with the major or central treatment.
Adrenal androgens: Androgens secreted by the adrenal gland. These account for about 5% of male androgens.
Adrenal gland: Small triangular organ above each kidney which is hormonally active, producing about 5% of male androgens.
Adverse effect: Undesirable result of therapy.
Alpha-blocker: A drug that relaxes smooth muscle tissue. Commonly used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
American Staging System: Older staging system to evaluate size and extent of prostate cancer. Now largely replaced by TNM system. Synonyms: Whitmore-Jewett staging system, ABCD system.
Analog: Synthetic equivalent of a natural substance.
Anastomosis: Surgical site where two or more tissues have been joined together, usually with sutures. Example: urethra proximal and distal to the prostate are joined together after radical prostatectomy to create the urethral anastomosis.
Androgen: Male hormone. Examples include testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.
Androgen Blockade: Treatment which decreases or eliminates androgens. Example: surgical castration removes the testicles, the principle source of androgens. Synonym: Androgen deprivation, total androgen blockade.
Androgen deprivation therapy: Treatment that decreases or eliminates androgens. Example: surgical castration removes the testicles, the principle source of androgens. Synonym: androgen blockade.
Androgen-dependent: Requiring androgens for survival. Examples include benign or cancerous prostate cells whose growth is supported by (and dependent on) androgens.
Androgen-independent: Not requiring androgens for survival. Example: prostate cancer cells that do not respond to androgen deprivation therapy.
Anesthesia: Treatment that decreases or eliminates pain, usually associated with a surgical procedure. Examples include general anesthesis (going to sleep during surgery), regional anesthesia (numbing of part of the body such as below the umbilicus), and local anesthesis (limited area of numbing of the body).
Angiogenesis: Creation of new blood vessels.
Antiandrogen: A drug which blocks the effect of androgen. Example: flutamide (Eulexin).
Antibody: Blood protein which reacts with foreign material or chemical in the body.
Anticholinergic: Drug which blocks neuromuscular actions. Example: drug for urinary continence.
Anticoagulant: A drug that blocks blood clots.
Antigen: A substance that induces the body to create antibodies.
Anus: Distal rectal opening.
Apex: Anatomic site at the top of an organ. Example: The prostatic apex is the extreme end of the prostate that surrounds the urethra at the pelvic brim.
Artificial sphincter: Synthetic device which acts in place of natural sphincter. Example: inflatable device place around the upper urethra to treat incontinence.
Aspiration: Removal by suction. Example: fine needle aspiration is a technique for removing cells by suction.
Asymptomatic: Free of symptoms.
Autologous: From one’s own body.
Autologous blood: Blood from one’s own body. Example: Blood donated by the patient which is used to replace blood lost during surgery.