Debulk: Surgical method to decrease the volume of cancer in patients in whom the cancer cannot be completely removed.
Deferred Therapy: Conservative therapy of prostate cancer involving careful monitoring. Synonyms: Expectant management, watchful waiting.
DES: Diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic estrogen.
DHT: Dihydrotestosterone, a naturally-occurring androgen.
Diagnosis: To determine the cause of a medical condition.
Differentiation: A measure of the similarity to normal benign mature cells. Example: Well differentiated cancer is low grade cancer.
Digital rectal examination: Diagnostic evaluation of the prostate, rectum, and anus by physician palpation using a lubricated gloved finger.
Dihydrotestosterone: Naturally-occurring androgen produced from testosterone by 5-alpha reductase. Synonym: DHT.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, the genetic blueprint within each cell.
DNA Ploidy Analysis: Measure of the amount of DNA in cells. If abnormally high, DNA ploidy suggest genetic abnormality, one measure of malignancy and cancer aggressivenes.
Doubling time: The interval during which cancer volume doubles.
Dysplasia: Precancerous abnormality of cells, characterized by abnormal size, shape, and configuration of cells.