Breast Cancer Survivors and Friends

	A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z  Acinus  (ductile) The last portion of the epithelial duct system within the breast.  During pregnancy this portion of the epithelium secretes milk. Alopecia loss of hair Anatomic pathology Gross and microscopic study of tissues and organs Ancillary additional Aneuploid cells that have an abnormal amount of DNA, either too much or too little Architecture How cells relate to each other Areola the darker pigment that surrounds the nipple on the breast Asymptomatic without symptoms Atypia- cellular changes that suggest malignancy Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia abnormally shaped cells in the breast lobule Axillary Lymph Nodes the lymph nodes in the armpit Basement Membrane Material characteristically found under epithelial cells, between the cells and the stroma. Benign A mild or non-malignant character Biopsy the removal of tissue used for diagnosis Cancer A term used to indicate various types of malignant processes. Carcinoma A malignant tumor of epithelial origin. Carcinoma in situ In the breast, a malignancy that is confined to the duct system, or lobule Cell The cell is enclosed in a membrane and composed of a nucleus and cytoplasm. Classification Arrangement into groups based on established criteria. Clear Margin the tissue surrounding the tumor that has no sign of cancer Colloid Cancer also called mucinous cancer Comedonecrosis Necrotic (dead) and nuclear debris within a lumen Connective tissue Cells that form the framework providing a support structure for other body tissues. Cribiform a mesh-like pattern of cancer growth in the ducts Cytotoxic Agents Chemicals that destroy cells Diffuse scattered Diploid having the correct amount of chromosomes (2 sets) Distal far from the point of origin DCIS Ductal Cancer in Situ Duct a tubular structure with a lumen and an epithelial layer, surrounded by a basement membrane, that serves to carry the secretions of glandular epithelium. Ductal Cell a cell in the milk duct of the breast Endogenous Estrogen estrogen produced in the body Epithelium A cellular tissue covering a surface or lining a tube.  There are normally two epithelial layers in the breast. Expander a flexible implant that is placed under the tissue and is manually expanded by filling with saline Gland cells that secrete Grade A classification system to describe tumor activity. Her-2/neu Oncogene an oncogene that is abnormally stimulated to produce an excess of protein affecting cell division in the breast Histological grade the microscopic evaluation of a cancer Hyperplasia an increased number of cells In Situ localized Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma cancerous cells in the breast lobule that have spread to the surrounding breast tissue Invasive Ductal Carcinoma cancerous cells that have escaped the breast duct and have invaded the surrounding tissue Isoflavone a chemical found in soy products LCIS Lobular Carcinoma In Situ Lesion An abnormality due to injury or disease Lobular cell cell that makes milk Local control control of the cancer in the breast Local Recurrence return of the cancer to the breast Lumen A central space or cavity of a tube lined with epithelial cells. Lumpectomy also called Wide Local Excision, surgical removal of the tumor with a margin of tissue without cancer Lymph node a small, bean shaped organs that filters the lymph before it dumps it into the blood stream Malignant Having the property of uncontrollable growth  Margin The edge of tissue removed Mastitis Inflammation or infection of the breast Metastatic breast cancer cancer that has traveled from the breast to another part of the body Microcalcifications Mineral deposits that may be associated with benign epithelium, malignant epithelium or stroma. They sometimes show up on mammograms in association with fast growing cells. Microinvasive cancer cancer that has spread to surrounding tissues on a microscopic level Mitotic rate rate at which cells are dividing Necrosis dead tissue surrounded by healthy tissue Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy the use of chemotherapy before and/or after tumor removal Neuropathy damage of the nerves that might involve numbness, tingling and/or pain Nucleus The central portion of the cell that contains the genetic material  Oncogene A gene that encourages a cell to become malignant Palpable capable of being felt Paget's disease Malignant tumor cells within the squamous epithelium of the nipple. Papillary Cancer type of ductal cancer Perimenopausal the time prior to menopause Phytoestrogens an estrogen-like substance that is created by plants Pleomorphic Lobular Cancer a more aggressive form of lobular cancer Prosthesis an artificial substitute for part of the body Proximal Nearest the point of origin Receptor a cell component that combines with hormones or drugs that alter the function of the cell Remission when the cancer appears to be inactive Sentinel Node the first lymph node draining from the area of the tumor SERM selective estrogen receptor modulators Simulation radiation planning session where the radiation area is mapped out S-Phase the synthetic phase of cell division Squamous The multi-layered epithelium of the skin, nipple and most proximal portion of the breast ducts. Stem Cell an immature blood cell that can generate new bone marrow Stroma The supportive framework of an organ, usually composed of connective tissue. Systemic Control control of the cancer throughout the entire body Transient Menopause rapid onset of menopause induced by chemotherapy TRAM flap transverse rectus abdominis mycutaneous flap; breast reconstructive surgery that uses skin from the abdomen Tumor An abnormal mass of tissue.  Tumors can be benign or malignant. Tubular cancer a rare form of slow growing ductal cancer Wide Local Excision a lumpectomy