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Glossary of Important Terms Archived Tumor Sample: A tumor sample that has been preserved and stored. Tumor tissue is commonly preserved for storage by being treated with a preservative called formalin and then embedded in paraffin (wax). Biopsy: A procedure where tumor tissue is removed from the body for laboratory examination to determine whether or not cancer or some other disease is present. A biopsy can be performed using a needle to extract a small amount of cells or as a surgical procedure to remove a larger piece of tissue. Cancer: A condition in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy: Treatment with cytotoxic drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used in addition to surgery and is sometimes used in combination with other therapies such as radiation. Clinical Trial: A research study to test drugs, procedures, or testing technologies to determine how well they work compared to other practices. Core Biopsy: A procedure which uses a needle to extract a very small sample of tissue from an identified breast mass in order to obtain a preliminary diagnosis. Diagnosis: Identification of a condition, such as breast cancer, by its signs, symptoms, and the results of laboratory tests. Distant Recurrence: Breast cancer that recurs, or returns, in the bones, liver, lungs, or other organs after an entire treatment protocol has been completed. Early Stage Breast Cancer: A term that can be used to describe stage I and II, lymph node-negative breast cancer. ER (Estrogen Receptor): A feature (protein) that may be present on certain cells to which estrogen molecules can attach. The term "ER positive" means that a woman's cells are sensitive to estrogen hormone. Gene: The functional and physical units of heredity that are passed from a parent to their offspring. Gene Expression: The process by which a gene's coded information is translated into the structures present and operating in the cell. DNA is first translated into RNA; some RNA then encodes the information to make proteins. Gene Expression Profile: A picture of the expression of multiple genes from a single specimen. Genome: The complete genetic material of a living thing. Genomics: The study of complex sets of genes and their effects on biology. Human Genome Project: An international research and technology-development effort aimed at mapping and sequencing the entire genome of human beings. In Situ (carcinoma in situ): Pre-cancerous cells that are isolated in the lobes or milk ducts of the breast. Lumpectomy: A surgical procedure that removes a localized mass of tissue including the breast cancer tumor and a small amount of tissue surrounding the tumor. Mastectomy: A surgical procedure to remove all or part of the breast. Metastatic Breast Cancer: Breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. Monoclonal Antibodies: Manufactured compounds specifically designed to find targets on cancer cells for diagnostic or treatment purposes. Node-Negative Breast Cancer: Breast cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes under the arms (axillary lymph nodes). Node-Positive Breast Cancer: Breast cancer that has spread to the axillary lymph nodes under the arms. Oncotype DX®: A unique diagnostic test that looks at the genomic profile of a breast tumor to quantify the likelihood that breast cancer will return, or recur. Radiation Therapy: The use of radiation to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be used before surgery or after surgery and is sometimes used in combination with chemotherapy. Recurrence: A return of cancer after treatment. Recurrence Score®: The results of the Oncotype DX assay are presented as a Recurrence Score. This is a number between 0 and 100 that correlates to a specific likelihood of breast cancer recurrence within 10 years of the initial diagnosis. Screening: Monitoring for masses or suspicious areas in breast tissue. Staging: A classification system for breast cancers based on the size of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, and whether the cancer has spread to other sites in the body (metastasis). Stage I Breast Cancer: The tumor is ≤ 2 cm in diameter and has not spread beyond the breast. Stage IIA Breast Cancer: The tumor is ≤ 2 cm and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary lymph nodes) or the tumor is > 2-5 cm and has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage IIB Breast Cancer: The tumor is > 2-5 cm and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm or the tumor is > 5 cm in diameter and has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage IIIA Breast Cancer: The tumor is > 5 cm in diameter and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm or the tumor is any size and has spread more extensively in the lymph nodes. Stage IIIB Breast Cancer: The tumor is any size and has extended to other tissues near the breast; the tumor may or may not have spread to the lymph nodes. Stage IV Breast Cancer: Cancer that has spread to other locations in the body (metastasized). Surveillance/Follow-Up: An ongoing assessment by the medical team, once treatment has been completed, to assess the cancer's remission and look for any evidence of recurrence. Treatment Monitoring: An ongoing and frequent assessment by the medical team, during the time of treatment, to monitor how the patient is tolerating the treatment and how the cancer is responding. Tumor: Tissue growth where the cells that make up the tissue have multiplied uncontrollably. A tumor can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). |
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