Glossary
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of prostate cancer, accounting for around 95% of all cases. Select “adenocarcinoma” is your cancer is “pure” adenocarcinoma- or adenocarcinoma mixed with other types of cancer such as small cell or neuroendocrine.
Pure small cell carcinomas are aggressive and rare types of prostate cancer that tend to spread quickly.
Pure neuroendocrine tumors are rare types of prostate cancer that develop from the hormone-producing cells of the prostate gland.
The Gleason score is a grading system used to evaluate the aggressiveness of prostate cancer based on tissue samples from a biopsy. The score ranges from 2 to 10, with a higher score indicating a more aggressive cancer. The Gleason score is different from the Gleason Grade, which ranges from 1 to 5.
The PSA score (prostate-specific antigen score) is a blood test used to screen for prostate cancer and monitor the progression of the disease. A higher-than-normal PSA level can indicate the presence of prostate cancer or other conditions such as an enlarged prostate or an infection.
Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is produced primarily by the testicles and plays an important role in the development and maintenance of male sexual characteristics, as well as the growth and function of the prostate gland.
In general, prostate cancer cells are stimulated by testosterone, which means that higher levels of testosterone may promote the growth and spread of prostate cancer.
Metastasis is a term used to describe the spread of cancer from the original site to other parts of the body. In prostate cancer, the cancer cells can spread to nearby lymph nodes, as well as to other organs such as the bones, lungs, and liver.
Prostate cancer can metastasize (spread) to different parts of the body, but the most common sites of metastasis are the bones and lymph nodes.
Bone metastasis occurs in up to 90% of men with metastatic prostate cancer. Lymph node metastases can occur in the nearby pelvic lymph nodes, and in lymph nodes in other parts of the body such as the neck and armpits.
Prostate cancer can also metastasize to other organs such as the liver, lungs, and brain, although these types of metastases are less common.
Brain metastasis is a rare complication of prostate cancer, accounting for less than 5% of all cases of prostate cancer that have metastasized.
Stable brain metastasis refers to cancer that has spread to the brain, but is not growing or spreading. This means that the cancer has not progressed and is not causing any new symptoms or complications.
Active brain metastasis from prostate cancer is where the cancer has spread from the prostate to the brain and is actively growing or spreading in the brain tissue. This means that the cancer is progressing and may be causing new symptoms or complications such as headaches, seizures, or neurological deficits.
Radiation therapy is a treatment option for prostate cancer that uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. The main types of radiation therapy used for prostate cancer are external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), brachytherapy (internal radiation), and radiopharmaceuticals.
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the most common type of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. It uses a machine called a linear accelerator to deliver high-energy radiation to the prostate gland from outside the body.
Brachytherapy involves the placement of tiny radioactive seeds, about the size of a grain of rice, directly into the prostate gland. The seeds release radiation over a period of several months to kill cancer cells.
Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs that contain radioactive materials and are used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, especially the bones. The most commonly used radiopharmaceuticals for prostate cancer include Radium-223 (Xofigo) and Lutetium-177 PSMA (Pluvicto).
Surgery is a treatment option for prostate cancer that involves the removal of the entire prostate gland (radical prostatectomy), parts of the prostate gland (TURP), nearly lymph nodes (pelvic lymphadenectomy), or testicles (orchiectomy). The most common type of surgery for prostate cancer is radical prostatectomy.
Radical prostatectomy is the most common type of surgery for prostate cancer. It involves the removal of the entire prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and nearby lymph nodes.
TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) and simple prostatectomy are used to treat urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate gland, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a minimally invasive surgery that involves the removal of small portions of the prostate gland through the urethra using a special instrument. Simple prostatectomy is a more invasive procedure that involves the removal of a larger portion of the prostate gland through an incision (in the lower abdomen or between the scrotum and anus.)
Orchiectomy, also known as surgical castration, is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the testicles to reduce the levels of testosterone.
Cryotherapy, also known as cryosurgery or cryoablation, is a treatment for prostate cancer that involves freezing cancer cells to destroy them.
A surgeon inserts several small probes or needles through the skin and into the prostate gland. The probes are then filled with extremely cold gases or liquids, which freeze the prostate tissue, including the cancer cells.
HIFU, or High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, is a non-invasive treatment option for prostate cancer. During a HIFU procedure, high-frequency sound waves are used to generate heat and destroy cancerous tissue in the prostate gland.
Orchiectomy, also known as surgical castration, is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the testicles. This procedure is sometimes used as a treatment option for prostate cancer. Testosterone is produced in the testicles, so removing the testicles reduces the amount of testosterone in the body, which can help slow or stop the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Hormone-resistant prostate cancer, also known as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), is a type of prostate cancer that has stopped responding to hormone therapy. This occurs when the cancer cells become resistant to treatments that lower the levels of male hormones, such as testosterone, which can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells.
However, in some cases, the cancer cells can adapt to the treatment and continue to grow despite the lower levels of hormones.
These medicines are androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). ADT is a type of hormone therapy that is commonly used in the treatment of prostate cancer. It works by lowering the levels of male hormones, such as testosterone, in the body. Since prostate cancer cells need testosterone to grow and spread, ADT can help slow the progression of the disease.
Hormone-resistant prostate cancer, also known as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), is a type of prostate cancer that has stopped responding to hormone therapy. The cancer cells can adapt to the treatment and continue to grow despite the lower levels of hormones.
Abiraterone, apalutamide, darolutamide, enzalutamide, and ketoconazole are hormone therapy drugs.
Cabazitaxel and docetaxel are chemotherapy.
Niraparib, olaparib, and rucaparib are PARP inhibitors.
Radium-223 is a radiopharmaceutical.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The most commonly used chemotherapy drug for prostate cancer is docetaxel, which is given intravenously every three weeks. Cabazitaxel, another chemotherapy drug, may be used in patients who have previously received docetaxel.
A heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, occurs when there is a blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. This blockage can occur due to the buildup of cholesterol, fat, and other substances in the walls of the arteries, known as plaque. When the plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form, blocking the flow of blood to the heart.
A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced, causing brain cells to die.
Transient Ischemic Attack (“TIA”) is a temporary episode of stroke-like symptoms. The symptoms usually last for a few minutes to an hour and go away completely within 24 hours.
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: systolic pressure (the top number) and diastolic pressure (the bottom number). A systolic (top) reading greater than 160 or diastolic (bottom) number greater than 100 is considered very high.
Angina is a type of chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. It is often described as a pressure, squeezing, burning, or tightness in the chest. Angina can also occur in the arms, neck, jaw, shoulder, or back. Stable angina occurs during physical activity or emotional stress, while unstable angina occurs at rest or with minimal physical activity and is more severe and unpredictable.
Arrhythmia is a condition where the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Arrhythmias can be harmless or life-threatening, depending on the type and severity of the condition. Stable arrhythmias are those that do not pose an immediate threat to the patient’s life. Unstable cardiac arrhythmia is a type of arrhythmia that is characterized by irregular, rapid, or slow heartbeats that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest or death if not treated promptly.
Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Asymptomatic heart failure means there are no noticeable symptoms. Symptomatic heart failure refers to heart failure that causes noticeable symptoms, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs and ankles. These symptoms occur when the heart is not pumping effectively, leading to a buildup of fluid in the body.
A pacemaker is a small electronic device that is implanted under the skin of the chest to help regulate the heart’s rhythm. It works by sending electrical impulses to the heart muscle to prompt it to beat at a steady rate.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, gradually weakening it over time. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, in which the immune system is severely weakened and the person is at risk of developing life-threatening infections and cancers.
This is a tool used by healthcare professionals to assess how well a patient is able to carry out daily activities and to predict how well a patient will respond to cancer treatment. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores are commonly used in clinical trials to help standardize patient selection and to evaluate treatment outcomes.
Life expectancy in prostate cancer depends on various factors such as the stage of cancer, the grade of cancer, age, overall health, and treatment options available. In general, prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer and many men diagnosed with prostate cancer will live for many years without experiencing significant symptoms or requiring treatment.