NEWLY DIAGNOSED PROSTATE CANCER GUIDE
Prostate Cancer Terms to Know With so many things to comprehend at once, we often hear that newly diagnosed men are struggling to understand all the new vocabulary that comes with prostate cancer. To help, we compiled a list of the most common terms used in discussions about prostate cancer. The Basics Biochemical Recurrence Biochemical recurrence is a rise of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood of a prostate cancer patient after initial treatment, such as surgery or radiation. Biochemical recurrence may occur in patients who do not have symptoms. It may mean that the cancer has come back. Lobe The sections of the prostate. There are five lobes of the prostate, one anterior lobe, one posterior lobe, one median lobe, and two lateral lobes. Lymph Node The lymph node is a rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid) and store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels. Also called the lymph gland. Metastasis Metastasis is the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. This happens through the lymph system or through the bloodstream. A tumor formed by cells that have spread is called a “metastatic tumor” or a “metastasis.” The metastatic tumor contains cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The plural form of metastasis is metastases (meh-TAS-tuh-SEEZ). Primary Cancer Primary cancer refers to the place in the body where the cancer started. If a primary prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it has metastasized. For example, a brain tumor from prostate cancer is still prostate cancer and not brain cancer. It is a metastasis of prostate cancer. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) PSA is a substance in the blood that is made by the prostate gland. It can be used to detect unusual activity in the prostate.
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