Information for Patients-Medical Terms

Bay Area Urology
Medical Group Inc.
1301 Shoreway Road Suite 100
Belmont, Ca 94402
650-348-7770 tel 650-348-0166 fax

Terminology

A b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Ablation - Destruction.

Adjuvant - Assisting or aiding. Used to describe a secondary treatment that is applied following definitive local therapy.

Adrenalectomy - Removal of the adrenal galand.

Androgen - Any substance that possesses masculinizing activities. Androgens elicit growth of both normal prostate and most malignant prostatic cells.

Androgen Deprivation- A therapeutic strategy designed to decrease circulating levels of androgen, such as testosterone. Can be done by removing organs that produce testosterone (i.e., testicles, called orchiectomy), or by giving medication.

Aneuploid - Having more or less than the normal or diploid number of chromosomes.

Angiogenesis - The birth of new blood vessels.

Antiandrogen - Oral agents such as flutamide (Eulexin), bicalutamide (Casodex), and nilutamide that block the action of testosterone and its active metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT) at the cellular level by interfering with androgen receptor interactions.

Antiandrogen withdrawal (AAWD) - A clinical syndrome in which discontinuation of an antiandrogen in a patient with progressive disease may result in PSA declines, symptomatic improvement, and tumor regression; occurs in 15-30% of eligible patients.

Antibody - A molecule made by the immune system which circulates in body fluid. An antibody has a specific amino acid sequence which interacts only with the antigen that induces its synthesis.

Antigen - A peptide derived from viral, tumor and in some cases, self products, capable under appropriate conditions of inducing a specific immune response.

Antigen receptor - Structure used by T lymphocytes to recognize antigens.

Apoptosis - Programmed cell death.

Augmentation cystoplasty - The use of a segment of intestine to increase bladder capacity.

Autocrine - Self-acting. For example, a growth factor which acts directly upon the cell which produces it.

Autotransplantation - Removal of the kidney and placement in the pelvis near the bladder.

* This information is not intended to substitute for a consultation with a urologist. It is offered to educate patients on the basis of urological conditions in order to get the most out of their office visits and consultations. Please see our web page disclaimer for addition information.