Glossary of Terms

PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland. The amount of PSA may be higher in men who have prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or infection or inflammation of the prostate.

A laboratory test that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) found in the blood. PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland. The amount of PSA may be higher in men who have prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or infection or inflammation of the prostate. Also called PSA test.

These proteins grow on the surface of prostate cancer cells and can be a biomarker of prostate cancer. PSMA proteins can be used as targets for radioactive isotopes, which can identify cancer cells on a PET scan or potentially destroy them.

A condition where the prostate cancer cells show changes when viewed under a microscope. High-grade PIN means the cell pattern is abnormal and the cells could be pre-cancerous.

Inflammation of the prostate gland.

An imaging procedure that is used to help find prostate cancer cells in the body. For this procedure, a cell-targeting molecule linked to a radioactive substance is injected into the body and travels through the blood.

An interdisciplinary field at the intersection of physical, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of the cancer experience for both patients and caregivers.

Surgery to remove the entire prostate and some of the tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles.

A treatment that uses radiowaves to heat and destroy the tumor tissue.

A type of cancer treatment injected into the body that delivers radiation directly to targeted cancer cells.

The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

A substance that contains radioactive material that can be seen on a PET scan.

A radioactive drug used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to the bone and is causing symptoms but has not spread to other organs. It is used in patients whose cancer is castration resistant (has not responded to treatments that lower testosterone levels). It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Radium Ra 223-dichloride contains a radioactive substance called radium Ra 223. It collects in bone and gives off radiation that may kill cancer cells. Radium Ra 223-dichloride is a type of radiotherapeutic agent.

Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrent cancer. Also see: Biochemical Recurrence.

A technique for systematically categorizing patients based on their health status and other factors.