Terms

BPH – Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy. Noncancerous tumors that are likely to grow in prostate glands of men after the age of 40. These benign tumors squeeze the urethra, causing difficult urination. Sometimes the word hyperplasia is substituted for the word hypertrophy.

Brachytherapy – radiotherapy in which the source of irradiation is placed close to the surface of the body or within the body cavity.

Colostomy – the construction of an artificial opening from the colon through the abdominal wall, thus bypassing a diseased portion of the lower intestine and permitting the passage of interstitial contents.

DRE – Digital (finger) Rectal Exam.

Fistula – an opening made into a hollow organ such as the bladder or eyeball, for drainage.

Fluoroscopically – the use of or examination by means of a fluoroscope. 

Hormonal Therapy – medication prescribed by your urologist for the purpose of blocking testosterone production. Hormonal therapy may be used before primary treatment or for palliation.

Hypertrophy – abnormal enlargement of a part or organ; excessive growth.

Metastatic disease – the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part.

Orchiectomy – surgical removal of the testes to block production of testosterone.

Palliation – course of treatment for patients whose cancer has spread. Goal of palliation is to control the pain or other symptoms of the spread cancer.

Prostatectomy – excision of part or all of the prostate gland.

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) – Proteins that are made by cells. PSA means antigens (proteins) that are specifically made by the prostate gland.

Salvage Treatment – treatment for failed initial course of treatment.

Transrectal ultrasound exam – sound waves produced from a probe inserted into the rectum that created an image of the organs.