A more comprehensive list of Medical Terms
Anaesthesia
to be given drugs in order to relieve pain and feeling during
surgery. Anaesthetic — certain type of medication used to
relieve pain or feeling during surgery. An anaesthetic can be:
* local, when you lose feeling to that part of your body into
which the medication was injected, eg a needle prior to having
a tooth pulled or drilled while you are fully awake;
* spinal, when anaesthetic medication is injected into the spinal
canal and you lose all feeling from your waist down; or
* general, when administered for more major procedures where you
lose consciousness and wake up when the procedure is over.
Benign
non-cancerous/non-malignant.
Benign
Prostatic Enlargement
non-cancerous enlargement/growth of the prostate gland. This is
caused by a type of tissue growth called benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH).
Benign
Prostatic Hyperplasia
A type of tissue growth that is associated with the prostate gland,
is non-cancerous and is an abnormal increase in the number of
cells in a tissue.
Biopsy
removal of tiny pieces of tissue. The cells are then analysed
under a microscope to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of cancer.
Bulbourethral
Glands (or Cowper’s glands)
two pea sized glands on each side of the prostate gland situated
below it, forming part of the male reproductive organs and serve
to secrete a mucous fluid which is added to semen.
Cancer
a general term used to describe abnormal cells, which multiply
without control. Cancer cells can spread through the blood-stream
and lymphatic circulation to other parts of the body.
CAT
(CT) Scan
a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body produced
by a computer linked to an X-ray machine. Also called computerised
axial tomography.
Chemotherapy
refers to treatment of any disease by chemical medication. Commonly
it is loosely used as an expression when anti-cancer (cytotoxic)
medications are used.
Cystitis
infection/inflammation of the bladder.
Cystoscope
an instrument used to look at the inside of the bladder.
Cystoscopy
a procedure in which an instrument is introduced into the urethra
under local anaesthetic, to view the bladder and prostate.
Cytotoxic
any substance which affects cells in a negative way. This term
is commonly used to describe special medications that are used
to kill cancerous cells in the body.
Digital
Rectal Examination
a simple test performed by a doctor, who inserts a gloved, lubricated
finger into the rectum to examine the back passage and feel the
prostate gland.
Epididymis
a long tube which lies atop each testicle and functions as a reservoir
of sperm produced by the testes.
Hormone
a chemical substance that is formed in one part of the body, travels
through the blood, and affects the function of cells elsewhere
in the body.
Hyperplasia
an abnormal increase in the number of cells in a tissue
Immune
System
the system that protects the body against an attack of any infective
or allergic disease.
Impotence
inability to achieve erection of the penis, sufficient to engage
in sexual intercourse.
Incontinence
inability to control urine discharge. Incontinence may be due
to a wide range of medical conditions.
Inflammation
redness, heat, swelling and pain, in a tissue caused by physical
or chemical injury or bacterial invasion.
Luteinizing
Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) Agonist
a substance that resembles LHRH which controls the production
of sex hormones. The LHRH agonists keep the testicles from producing
hormone (testosterone).
Lymph
Nodes (GLANDS)
small oval shaped nodes situated along the course of blood vessels.
They prevent entrance of infections and other noxious material
entering the bloodstream.
Male
Reproductive Organs
consist of the scrotum, testes, penis, spermatic cord, seminal
vesicles, prostate/bulbourethral glands.
Metastasis
the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.
Milking
(urethral)
the small amount of urine not expelled after passing urine, which
is expressed or “milked” by placing fingers of one hand
several centimetres behind the scrotum and bringing them upward
and forward towards the base of the penis. This action empties
the resevoir of urine not passed.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A magnet is linked to a computer used
to create pictures of areas inside the body.
Oestrogen
a sex hormone produced by the ovaries.
Oncologist
a doctor specialising in the diagnosis, treatment and management
of cancers.
Orchidectomy
surgical removal of the testicle(s).
Palliative
Care
care of persons whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment.
The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best possible
quality of life for the person and their family.
Pelvic
meaning the area of the body located below the waist and surrounded
by the hip and pubic bones.
Penis
male reproductive organ consisting of a body or shaft which starts
deep inside the body and extends externally to the end of the
penis at the glans.
Perineal
(perineum)
area of body between the anus and the scrotum.
Post
Micturition Dribbling
dribbling after urination.
Prostate
Gland
forms part of the male reproductive organs and lies under the
bladder and surrounds the urethra at that junction. It secretes
a milky fluid which is added to semen during ejaculation.
Prostate
Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test
a test which examines a protein in the blood. The level of PSA
rises in men who have benign enlargement of the prostate gland,
an infection of the prostate gland or cancer of the prostate.
Prostatectomy
removal of all or part of the prostate gland. There are two main
types: * Trans-Urethral Prostatectomy (TURP) - removes part of
the tissue surrounding the urethra which may be blocking the flow
of urine.
* Radical Prostatectomy - removes all of the prostate, and the
seminal vesicles.
Prostatitis
infection/inflammation of the prostate gland, usually caused by
bacteria.
Radiation Therapy
treatment with energy rays from X-rays or other sources to damage
cancer cells.
Radical
Prostatectomy
surgical removal of the entire prostate gland including the capsule,
and the seminal vesicles.
Radiotherapist
a specialist doctor who uses X-rays and radioactive substances
to diagnose and treat diseases.
Rectum
the last part of the large intestine leading to the outside of
the body (anus).
Resectoscope
an instrument designed to remove tissue from the prostate gland
or bladder, via the urethra to undertake a biopsy.
Retrograde
Ejaculation
semen is passed back into the bladder.
Scrotum
is a pouch of skin forming part of the male reproductive organ
that contains the testes, spermatic cords and epididymis.
Semen
fluid produced by the male reproductive system and consists of
sperm, fluid from the seminal vesicles and prostate/bulbourethral
glands.
Seminal
Vesicles
two highly coiled glands attached to the bladder and prostate
gland forming part of the male reproductive organs which secrete
a mucous fluid that is added to the semen during ejaculation.
Staging
tests or examinations to determine the extent of a cancer, especially
whether it has spread from its original site to other parts of
the body. The most common staging system is the TNM system.
Stress
Incontinence
uncontrolled loss of a small amount of urine as a result of any
strenuous activity, laughing, coughing, sneezing or lifting heavy
objects.
Testicles
part of the male reproductive organs consisting of two oval shaped
glands in the scrotum which produce sperm and the male hormone
testosterone. Prior to ejaculation sperm is released from the
epididymis which acts as a reservoir of sperm and is added to
it to form part of the semen.
Testosterone
male hormone produced by the testes.
Trans
Rectal Ultrasound
an examination where a small ultrasound instrument is inserted
into the persons back passage (rectum) and images of the prostate
gland are produced on screen and film.
Transurethral
Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
a surgical procedure that uses a special instrument inserted into
the urethra which is capable of removing part or all of the prostate
gland.
Tumour
an abnormal mass of tissue.
Ultrasound
an examination where sound waves are transmitted into the body
and the echos received are used to produce images on screen and
film.
Urethra
tube running along the length of the penis from the bladder through
which urine and semen exit.
Urethral
Milking
refer to MILKING (urethral).
Urethritis
inflammation of the urethra.
Urethroplasty
dilation of the prostatic urethra using a special catheter with
an in-built balloon which is inflated at the correct site to re-establish
a more open urethra by squeezing the prostate gland.
Urodynamics
tests in which the bladder is filled with fluid, and pressures
in the bladder and urethra are measured during filling and emptying.
It is an important means of finding out why a person is incontinent.
Urologist
a specialist medical doctor who diagnoses, manages and treats
diseases of the urinary tract in men and women.
Vasectomy
an operation which cuts or ties off the two tubes (known as vas
deferens) that carry sperm out of the testicles.
Watchful
Waiting (Active Monitoring- Active Surveillance or
Deferred Treatment)
A decision to wait and monitor progress of mild symptoms of prostate
disease.
Acronym
Descriptions
BNI
Bladder Neck Incision (also known as TUIP)
BPE Benign Prostatic Enlargement
BPH Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
EBR External Beam Radiotherapy
GP General Practitioner (Doctor)
LHRH Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Agonist
LUTS Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
PSA Prostate Specific Antigen
TNM Tumour Node Metastasis
TUIP Transurethral Incision of Prostate (also known as
BNI)
TUMT Microwave Therapy
TUNA Radiofrequency Needle Ablation
TURP Transurethral Resection of the Prostate
TVP Electrovaporisation
