Alpha-blockers
Medications used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia by relaxing the smooth muscles of the prostate and bladder neck
Androgen
Male hormones, such as testosterone
Anemia
A condition in which a person has an abnormally low number of red blood cells, low hemoglobin and/or low volume of packed red blood cells per 100 mL of blood
Antibiotic
Medication used to treat bacterial infections
Anus
The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body
Bacteria
Single-celled organisms, some of which live inside other organisms and some of which live independently
Benign
Not cancerous; a benign growth does not invade surrounding tissue or spread to other parts of the body
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Abnormal growth of the prostate not due to cancer or infection
Biopsy
The removal of a small piece of tissue, which is then examined under a microscope
Cancer
An abnormal, uncontrolled growth in any tissue or organ in the body that can spread to surrounding or distant organs
Catheter
A thin, hollow, flexible tube that is inserted into the body, e.g. a urinary catheter is designed to pass through the urethra into the bladder to drain it of retained urine
Chemotherapy
Treatment with drugs intended to kill cancer cells
Digital rectal exam
Test in which the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the anus to feel the prostate for any unusual features such as hardness, bumps or swelling
Dihydrotestosterone
A hormone derived from testosterone and thought to be involved in prostate enlargement
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that encodes genetic information; DNA contains many functional units called genes
Enlarged prostate
Common name for benign prostatic hyperplasia
External beam radiation therapy
A therapy in which a radiation beam from outside of the body targets cancer on the inside of the body. Also called EBRT
Genetic
Having to do with genes; related to the mechanisms by which cells grow, function, and divide
Gland
An organ that makes and secretes substances used by the body
Impotence
Inability to sustain an erection sufficient for intercourse
Lymph node
Small glands that release cells to defend the body against harmful foreign particles
Metastasis / Metastatic
The spread of cancer cells to areas of the body beyond the organ of original occurrence
Neoadjuvant
Therapy that is used before the main, or primary, therapy. For instance, neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) used before radiation therapy
Orchiectomy
Surgical removal of the testicles
Prostate cancer
The presence of cancerous cells in the prostate
Prostate-specific antigen
A protein in semen produced by the prostate gland and measured in the blood in patients with BPH or prostate cancer
Prostatic (adj)
Related to the prostate
Prostatitis
An inflammation of the prostate gland
Radiation
The use of directed high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells
Radical prostatectomy
Surgery to remove the entire prostate gland along with the nearby tissue such as the seminal vesicles
Rectum
The final section of the intestines at the anus
Remission
The state in which all or some cancer signs and symptoms disappear, or the period of time when a disease stays under control (no progression). Complete remission does not always mean the cancer is cured
Retrograde ejaculation (dry climax)
A condition in which semen enters the bladder during ejaculation and is later flushed out during urination
Seminal vesicles
A pair of glands, near the prostate, that add substances to semen
Testes
Male reproductive glands where sperm are produced. Also the main source of testosterone in males
Testosterone
The most potent male hormone
Tumor
An abnormal mass of tissue, which may be benign or cancerous; a collection of abnormal cells
Ultrasound
Imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to view internal organs
Urethra
The tube that carries urine and semen through the penis
Urge incontinence
Leakage of urine in the presence of a strong desire to void
Urgency
A sudden need to urinate
Urinalysis
Analysis of urine for chemicals, minerals, sugar, hormones, infections etc.
Urinary flow study
Measure of the amount of urine voided per second
Urinary incontinence
Involuntary urination that leads to loss of urinary control
Urinary retention
Condition in which urine is kept in the bladder instead of being eliminated; acute urinary retention occurs suddenly and the patient cannot urinate at all
Urinary tract infection
Infection of an element of the urinary system: the urethra, the bladder, the ureters, or the kidneys
Urologist
Doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary system in women, and the urinary and sex organs in men
Vas deferens
A tubal structure that carries sperm from the testicles to the prostate prior to ejaculation
Watchful waiting
Period of time after diagnosis of a disease during which no active treatments are pursued; rather, the condition is monitored at frequent intervals
