Glossary

acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) - a devastating disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which kills or impairs cells of the immune system and progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers. HIV is most commonly spread by sexual contact with an infected partner. The term AIDS applies to the most advanced stages of an HIV infection.

artificial insemination - a procedure that involves the placement of relatively large numbers of healthy sperm either at the entrance of the cervix or into a women's uterus, bypassing the cervix, to have direct access to the fallopian tubes.

ascending colon - part of the colon on the right side of the abdomen.

atherosclerosis - a type of arteriosclerosis caused by a build-up of plaque in the inner lining of an artery.

balloon urethroplasty - a thin tube with a balloon is inserted into the opening of the penis and guided to the narrowed portion of the urethra, where the balloon is inflated to widen the urethra and ease the flow of urine.

barium - a metallic, chemical, chalky, liquid used to coat the inside of organs so that they will show up on an x-ray.

barium enema x-ray - lower gastrointestinal (GI) series.

barium swallow - upper gastrointestinal (GI) series.

benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - an enlargement of the prostate caused by disease or inflammation. It is not cancer, but its symptoms are often similar to those of prostate cancer.

biological therapy (Also called immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier therapy.) - uses the body’s immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer or to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments.

biopsy - a procedure in which tissue samples are removed (with a needle or during surgery) from the body for examination under a microscope; to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present.

breast cancer - a cancerous tumor of the breast tissue.

chemotherapy - treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells.

chlamydial infection - very common sexually transmitted disease or urinary tract infection caused by a bacteria-like organism in the urethra and reproductive system.

colon - large intestine.

colonoscopy - test to look into the rectum and colon through a long, flexible, narrow tube (called a colonoscope) with a light and tiny lens on the end.

colorectal cancer - cancer that occurs in the colon (large intestine) or the rectum (the end of the large intestine).

compound fracture - the broken bone protrudes through the skin.

computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) - a non-invasive procedure that takes cross-sectional images of the brain or other internal organs; to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary x-ray.

contusion - a bruise caused by a blow to the muscle, tendon, or ligament; caused when blood pools around the point of injury and discolors the skin.

coronary artery bypass - a surgical procedure in which small portions of veins or arteries are taken from one part of the body and transplanted into the heart to bypass clogged coronary arteries in the heart.

coronary heart disease - a condition in which the coronary arteries narrow from an accumulation of plaque (atherosclerosis) and cause a decrease in blood flow.

cryptorchidism - failure of one or both of the testicle(s) to move down into the scrotum.

cystoscopy - procedure in which a viewing tube (cystoscope) is passed through the urethra to examine the inside of the bladder and ureters or to treat a disorder.

descending colon - the middle part of the colon located on the left side of the abdomen.

digital rectal exam (DRE) - procedure in which the physician inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to examine the rectum and the prostate gland for signs of cancer.

erythroplakia - a red patch of mucous membrane inside the mouth; one cause of oral cancer.

fecal occult blood test - test to check for hidden blood in stool; screening test for cancer of the colon or rectum.

functional incontinence - leakage due to a difficulty reaching a restroom in time because of physical conditions such as arthritis.

genital herpes - a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus.

genital warts - a sexually transmitted disease caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

gonorrhea - a common sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium, which can lead to infertility in women.

heart attack (Also called myocardial infarction.) - damage to the heart muscle due to insufficient blood supply.

human papillomaviruses (HPVs) - a group of viruses that can cause warts. Some HPVs are sexually transmitted and cause wart-like growths on the genitals. HPV is a major risk factor for cervical cancer.

impotence (Also called erectile dysfunction.) - a condition of being unable to maintain an erection and ejaculate.

in vitro fertilization - treatment for infertility in which a woman's egg is fertilized, outside her body, with her partner's sperm or sperm from a donor.

indigestion (Also called dyspepsia.) - poor digestion; symptoms include heartburn, nausea, bloating, and gas.

insomnia - inability to sleep or to remain asleep throughout the night.

intravenous pyelogram (IVP) - a series of x-rays of the kidney, ureters, and bladder with the injection of a contrast dye into the vein -- to detect tumors, abnormalities, kidney stones, or any obstructions, and to assess renal blood flow.

jaundice -a yellow discoloration of the skin and eye whites due to abnormally high levels of bilirubin (bile pigmentation) in the bloodstream.

leukoplakia - a whitish patch of mucous membrane inside the mouth; one cause of oral cancer.

lymphadenectomy - a procedure in which lymph nodes are taken from the body for purposes of diagnosing or staging cancer.

lymphangiography - images of the lymph system in which dye is injected into a lymph vessel to improve images.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a non-invasive procedure that produces two-dimensional view of an internal organ or structure, especially the brain and spinal cord.

microsurgical fertilization - a procedure used to facilitate sperm penetration into the oocyte, and fertilization takes place under the microscope.

modified radical mastectomy - the removal of the breast, some lymph nodes in the armpit, and sometimes part of the chest wall muscles.

multiple semen analysis - at least two semen examples are collected on separate days to examine the semen and sperm for various factors, such as semen volume, consistency, and pH, and the sperm count, motility, and morphology (shape).

oral cancer - a cancer found in the oral cavity (mouth), on the lip, and the oropharynx (the part of the throat at the back of the mouth).

overflow incontinence - leakage that occurs when the quantity of urine produced exceeds the bladder's capacity to hold it.

percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) - a technique to treat heart disease and chest pain by using angioplasty in the coronary arteries to permit more blood flow into the heart.

Peyronie's disease - A plaque, or hard lump, that forms on the erection tissue of the penis. The plaque often begins as an inflammation that may develop into a fibrous tissue.

polyp - a growth that projects from the lining of mucous membrane, such as the intestine.

polyposis - presence of many polyps.

premature ejaculation (PE) - the inability to maintain an erection long enough for mutual satisfaction. Premature ejaculation is divided into primary and secondary forms.

priapism - persistent erection of the penis, usually accompanied by tenderness and pain.

proctectomy - operation to remove the rectum.

proctitis - inflammation of the rectum.

proctocolectomy (Also called coloproctectomy.) - operation to remove the colon and rectum.

proctocolitis - inflammation of the colon and rectum.

proctologist - physician who specializes in disorders of the anus and rectum.

proctoscope - short, rigid metal tube used to look into the rectum and anus.

proctoscopy - looking into the rectum and anus with a proctoscope.

proctosigmoiditis - inflammation of the rectum and the sigmoid colon.

proctosigmoidoscopy - endoscopic examination of the rectum and sigmoid colon. (See also endoscopy.)

prostatalgia - pain in the prostate gland.

prostate acid phosphatase (PAP) - an enzyme produced by the prostate that is elevated in some patients when prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate.

prostatectomy -surgical procedure for the partial or complete removal of the prostate.

prostate-specific antigen (PSA) - an antigen made by the prostate gland and found in the blood; may indicate cancer in the prostate gland.

prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test - a blood test used to help detect prostate cancer by measuring a substance called prostate-specific antigen produced by the prostate.

prostatism - any condition of the prostate that causes interference with the flow of urine from the bladder.

prostatitis - an inflamed condition of the prostate gland that may be accompanied by discomfort, pain, frequent urination, infrequent urination, and, sometimes, fever.

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

rectal manometry - test that uses a thin tube and balloon to measure pressure and movements of the rectal and anal sphincter muscles.

rectal ultrasound - a test in which a probe is inserted in the rectum and directs sound waves at the prostate. The patterns of the sound waves form an image of the prostate gland on a screen.

RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) - treatment plan for acute injury to prevent inflammatory processes from becoming uncontrolled and to speed up the recovery process by eliminating swelling; acute injury management.

segmental mastectomy - surgery to remove a portion of the breast.

sexually transmitted disease (STD) - infection spread through sexual intercourse and other intimate sexual contact.

sigmoid colon - lower part of the colon that empties into the rectum.

sigmoidoscopy - examination of the rectum and lower part of the colon (sigmoid colon) using a flexible viewing tube passed through the rectum.

skin cancer - a malignant tumor that grows in the skin cells.

sperm disorders - problems with the production and maturation of sperm; the single most common cause of male infertility. Sperm may be immature, abnormally shaped, unable to move properly, or, normal sperm may be produced in abnormally low numbers (oligospermia).

sprain - a partial or complete tear of a ligament.

stem cell transplantation - the removal of stem cells from the patient's or a donor's bone marrow, and re-infusing them into the patient to help in production of healthy blood cells; a method of replacing stem cells which are destroyed by cancer treatment.

strain - a partial or complete tear of a muscle or tendon.

stress fractures - weak spots or small cracks in the bone caused by continuous overuse.

stress incontinence - the most common type of incontinence that involves the leakage of urine during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects, or other body movements that put pressure on the bladder.

syphilis -a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum bacteria. The initial symptom of syphilis is a painless open sore that usually appears on the penis or around or in the vagina. If untreated, syphilis may go on to more advanced stages, including a transient rash and, eventually, serious involvement of the heart and central nervous system.

testicles (Also called testes or gonads.) - the male sex glands, part of the male reproductive system. The testicles are located behind the penis in a pouch of skin called the scrotum. The testicles produce several male hormones, including testosterone, and sperm. The hormones control the development of the reproductive organs, as well as other male characteristics -- body and facial hair, low voice, and wide shoulders. *****

testicular cancer - cancer that develops in a testicle.

transrectal ultrasound of the prostate - a test using sound wave echoes to create an image of the prostate gland to visually inspect for abnormal conditions such as gland enlargement, nodules, penetration of tumor through capsule of the gland, and/or invasion of seminal vesicles; may also be used for guidance of needle biopsies of the prostate gland and/or guiding the nitrogen probes in cryosurgery.

transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) - a procedure that widens the urethra by making some small cuts in the bladder neck, where the urethra joins the bladder, and in the prostate gland itself.

transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) - surgery to remove part of the prostate gland that surrounds the urethra by using a small tool that is placed inside the prostate through the urethra; no incision is made using this method.

transverse colon - part of the colon that extends across the abdomen from right to left.

ulcerative colitis - serious disease that causes ulcers and irritation in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. (See also inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

urge incontinence - the inability to hold urine long enough to reach a restroom. It is often found in people who have conditions such as diabetes, stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, but may be an indication of other diseases or conditions that would also warrant medical attention.

urinary incontinence - the loss of bladder control.

urine flow study - a test in which the patient urinates into a special device that measures how quickly the urine is flowing. A reduced flow may suggest benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

vas deferens - the tubes leading to the testes.

vasectomy - a surgical procedure performed to make a man sterile, or unable to father a child. It is a permanent male birth control measure, and a means of contraception used in many parts of the world.

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