Glossary of Terms

Ablation: The destruction of tissue by the application of extreme cold, heat or light (laser).

Anesthesia: The loss of sensation and usually of consciousness artificially produced by the administration of one or more agents that block the passage of pain impulses along nerve pathways to the brain.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia/hypertrophy (BPH): A non-cancerous condition that can affect PSA levels and cause enlargement of the prostate. This growth of the prostate can press on the urethra and cause urination and bladder problems (urinary symptoms).

Biopsy: The removal and examination of a sample of tissue for diagnostic purposes.

Brachytherapy: A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor.

Cancer: A malignant and invasive growth or tumor.

Catheter: A tube inserted into the bladder to temporarily drain urine into a plastic bag. Depending upon your doctor’s recommendation, a catheter is normally kept in place 1-2 weeks after prostate cryotherapy.

Cryotherapy: The destruction of tissue by the application of extremely cold temperatures.

Erectile dysfunction (ED): The loss of the ability to produce and/or sustain an erection. Often referred to as “impotence”. In many cases, an erection can be achieved with assistance.

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): See Radiation therapy.

Fistula: An abnormal passage from a hollow organ to the body surface or from one organ to another.

Gleason score: A system of grading prostate cancer cells based on how they look under a microscope. Gleason scores range from 2 to 10 and indicate how likely it is that a tumor will spread.

Impotence: See Erectile dysfunction.

Incontinence: See Urinary incontinence.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): See Radiation therapy.

Perineum: The area of skin between the scrotum and the anus through which the doctor inserts the ultra-thin cryotherapy probes. After the procedure, a dressing is applied and the tiny holes heal rapidly.

Prostate: A gland in the male reproductive system just below the bladder. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, the canal that empties the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of semen.

Prostate cancer staging:

• Stage I: The cells closely resemble normal cells and the gland feels normal to the examining finger.
• Stage II: More of the prostate is involved and a lump can be felt within the gland.
• Stage III: The tumor has spread through the prostate wall and the lump can be felt on the surface of the gland.
• Stage IV: The tumor has invaded nearby tissue.

Prostatectomy: Surgical removal of the prostate.

PSA: Prostate specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate.

PSA test: The PSA test measures levels in the blood and is used to help detect prostate cancer as well as to monitor the results of treatment. Elevated PSA may be an indicator of prostate cancer.

Radiation therapy (Radiotherapy): Uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external beam or intensity modulated radiation therapy) or from materials placed inside the body (internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, or brachytherapy).

Radical prostatectomy: The surgical removal of the entire prostate gland, the seminal vesicles and nearby tissue.

Rectum: The short tube located at the end of the large intestine, which connects the intestine to the anus.

Robotic radical prostatectomy: Instead of directly moving the instruments, the surgeon uses a computer console to manipulate the instruments attached to multiple robot arms. The computer translates the surgeon’s movements, which are then carried out on the patient by the robot.

Stage: The extent of a cancer. See also Prostate cancer staging.

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS): the use of sound waves to create a picture of the prostate on a screen to help examine the condition of the prostate and guide insertion of the cryotherapy probes.

Urethra: The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Urinary incontinence: Involuntary loss of urine associated with a sudden strong urge to urinate.

Urinary symptoms: Problems associated with obstruction to flow of urine, usually caused by BPH.