Acute Condition - a condition that starts suddenly
Alpha-Blockers - a group of drugs that switch off/relax muscles by targeting the so-called alpha-receptors
Antioxidants - substances (found in certain foods) that can inhibit certain cells from being damaged by substances called free radicals, and helping to prevent the cells becoming cancerous
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - a condition which can affect men, through an enlarged prostate, due to the growth of non-cancerous tumours in the prostate
Benign Tumour - a non-cancerous tumour
Biopsy - a sample of cell tissue which is taken for testing for presence of cancer
Brachytherapy - cancer therapy through the implanting of radioactive seeds in the prostate to kill cancer cells
Chemotherapy - cancer therapy through the use of chemical substances to treat diseases and kill cancer cells
Chronic Condition - a long-term condition
Cryotherapy - a technique using freezing to kill prostate cancer cells
CT Scan - a method of scanning parts of the body using a system called body Computerised Tomography (also known as a CAT scan)
Cytoscopy – a telescopic examination using a special instrument called a cytoscope, which is inserted via the urethra
Cystogram - a form of X-ray that can be taken of the prostate and bladder using special dyes
Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) - the process of using a gloved finger via the rectum or back passage to check on the status of the prostate
Diverticula - a formation of pouches on the bladder, caused by excessive pressure
Ejaculate - a thick, clear fluid that is formed in the prostate and mixed with sperm to form semen
Extraperitoneal - avoiding the abdomen
Free Radicals - molecular substances that can cause instability in the body within cells
Gleason Score - a scoring system for the aggressiveness of prostate cancer tumours, named after a Dr. Gleason who invented it
Haematuria - having blood in the urine
High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound (HIFU) - a new technique which uses highly focussed ultrasound to kill prostate cancer cells
Isoflavone - a plant-based hormone, found commonly in soya and some other plants
Laparoscopic Surgery - keyhole surgery
Laser Enucleation - a process of using a laser to treat/burn away a part of the prostate
LHRH Analogues - a group of hormonal drugs that are aimed at switching off the pituitary gland and thereby stop it producing testosterone
Lycopene - a carotenoid (red pigment-based) plant substance that is a strong antioxidant and particularly found in tomatoes
Malignant Tumour - a cancerous growth
Managed Clinical Network - a network of medical specialists with knowledge of a specific topic (often across regions), who come together to work on progress on the issue and to support patients’ progress
Metastasis - the process of a cancer spreading through the body
MRI Scan - a scan of all or part of the body using a magnetic resonating device that uses magnetic field and radio waves to build up a picture of the body
Nocturia - having to get up several times a night to urinate
Oncologist - a specialist in the treatment of cancer
Orchidectomy - surgical removal of the testicles
Palliative Care - care which is provided to relieve and reduce patient’s pain
Prostate - the male gland producing fluid as part of the male reproductive system, situated in the pelvic area
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) - a protein produced by prostate cells, which is frequently present at elevated levels in the blood of men who have prostate cancer but can also be a feature of people with BPH
Prostatectomy - the removal of part or all of the prostate
Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland
Radiologist - a specialist doctor in X-ray treatment and radiotherapy
Radiographer - a specialist technician in the provision of radiotherapy
Radiotherapy - the use of radio waves to treat cancer
Selenium - a trace element and antioxidant found in certain foods
Seminal Vesicles - sperm are stored in the seminal vesicles which are connected to the prostate and behind the bladder
Symptoms - the experience/effects felt by a person with an illness, and indication of an illness or disease
Testosterone - a male hormone produced in the testicles
Tumour - a growth in the body which can be non–cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant)
Trans-Rectal Ultrasound (TRUS) - the process of inserting a probe into the rectum, to direct the sound waves right into the prostate and obtain an image of it
Ultrasound - the use of sound waves for obtaining pictures or giving treatment
Urinary Tract/Urethra - the water pipe from the bladder running through the prostate and into the penis
Urologist - a specialist in the study and treatment of diseases of the urinary system (a waterworks expert)
Vitamin - a group of food substances that help the body fight infection/disease
Xatral - the trade name of a drug that is an alpha-blocker used to relax muscles
Zoladex - the trade name of a hormone drug which is part of the LRH Analogues used to stop testosterone production
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