Terms

BB’s – small markers that are placed on the skin for localization purposes.

Blocks – used for some patients' treatments to block out unnecessary structures within the treatment field.

Cosmesis – surgical correction of a disfiguring defect, or cosmetic improvements made by a surgeon following incisions.

Dry desquamation – dryness, itching, scaling, flaking and peeling of the skin.

Eccymosis – a bruise or contusion.

Erythema – abnormal redness and inflammation of the skin.

Eschar – a hard crust or scab.

Fat necrosis – necrosis of adipose tissue, characterized by the formation of small quantities of calcium soaps when fat is hydrolyzed into glycerol and fatty acids. Also known as steatonecrosis.

Gantry – the C-arm part of the machine that rotates around you.

Induration – hardening.

Iridium-192 – an isotope of iridium. It is used as an industrial radioisotope to locate areas of weakness in metal pipes and in radiation treatments. It is used in radiotherapy as a radiation source.

Lasers – red lasers in the treatment room that the therapists will use to align you in the correct treatment position.

Linear Accelerator – the machine that delivers the radiation.

Lymphedema – the accumulation of lymph in soft tissue with accompanying swelling, often of the extremities: sometimes caused by inflammation, obstruction or removal of lymph channels.

Mammosite – targeted radiation therapy for breast cancer.

Metastasis – the transference of disease-producing organisms or of malignant or cancerous cells to other parts of the body by way of blood or lymphatic vessels or membranous surfaces.

Moist desquamation – blister formation, serous drainage and pain.

Port films – non-diagnostic films that confirm the treatment area (taken on a weekly basis for treatment quality assurance purposes).

Pruritis – itching.

Seroma – a mass or swelling caused by the localized accumulation of serum within a tissue or organ.

Serosanguineous leak – a leak of blood and serum.

Wedge – a treatment device used to conform the radiation beam to match the surface of the breast.