Active surveillance |
A treatment plan that involves closely watching a patient’s condition but not giving any treatment unless there are changes in test results that show the condition is getting worse |
Androgen |
A hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics |
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) |
Treatment to suppress or block the production or action of male hormones |
Androgen receptor targeted therapy |
A type of targeted therapy that inhibits the growth of prostate cancer by blocking the binding of androgens to their receptors |
Cabazitaxel |
A type of chemotherapy that is administered through a drip into a vein in your arm or chest |
Castration-resistant (prostate cancer) |
Prostate cancer that is no longer responsive to castration treatments (i.e. reduction of androgens by surgical or medical treatment) |
Chemotherapy |
A type of cancer treatment using medicine that kills the cancer cells by damaging them so that they cannot reproduce and spread |
Docetaxel |
A type of chemotherapy that is administered through a drip into a vein in your arm or chest |
Extreme hypo-fractionated (radiotherapy) |
A type of hypo-fractionated radiotherapy treatment in which the radiotherapy is delivered in fewer, larger doses than with standard hypo-fractionated radiotherapy |
First-line (treatment) |
The initial treatment given to a patient |
Growth factor |
A type of drug used to increase the production of white blood cells in order to reduce the risk of infection |
Hormone-sensitive (prostate cancer) |
Prostate cancer that responds to treatments that lower androgen levels |
Hypo-fractionated (radiotherapy) |
A type of radiotherapy treatment in which the radiotherapy is delivered in fewer, larger doses |
Immunosuppressive drugs |
Types of drugs that suppress or reduce the strength of the body's immune system |
Immunotherapy |
A type of cancer treatment that stimulates the body’s immune system to fight the cancer |
Locally advanced (prostate cancer) |
Cancer that has spread from where it started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes |
Lymph |
The fluid that circulates throughout the lymphatic system; it contains infection-fighting white blood cells |
Lymph nodes |
Small structures throughout the lymphatic system that work as filters for harmful substances, such as cancer cells or bacteria |
Lymphatic system |
A network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body |
Metastasis/metastases |
Cancerous tumours that have originated from a primary tumour/growth in another part of the body |
Metastatic |
A cancer that has spread from its site of origin to different parts of the body |
Neoadjuvant therapy |
Treatment given as a first step to shrink a tumour before the main treatment, which is usually surgery |
Pandemic |
A disease that is prevalent around the world |
Pelvic lymphatic drainage |
A network of tissues and organs in the pelvis that help to rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials |
Prophylactic |
A drug that is given to prevent disease |
Prognosis |
The likely outcome of a medical condition |
Pulmonary embolism |
A sudden blockage of a blood vessel in the lung |
Radiotherapy |
Treatment involving the use of high-energy radiation, which is commonly used to treat cancer |
Recurrent (disease) |
A disease that has returned |
Relapse |
Return of a cancer or deterioration in a person’s state of health |
Salvage (treatment) |
Treatment that is given after the cancer has not responded to other treatments |
Steroid |
A type of drug used to relieve swelling and inflammation. Some steroid drugs also have antitumour effects |
Systemic (therapy) |
Drugs that spread throughout the body to treat cancer cells wherever they may be. They include chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy |
Targeted therapy |
A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to precisely identify and attack cancer cells, usually while doing little damage to normal cells |
Thrombosis |
The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the blood system |
Tumour |
A lump or growth of abnormal cells. Tumours may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). In this guide, the term ‘tumour’ refers to a cancerous growth, unless otherwise stated |
White blood cells |
A type of blood cell that is part of the body’s immune system. White blood cells help the body fight infections |
Adaptations to Prostate Cancer Management Glossary
