Prostate Disorders Dictionary

Foley catheter: Following many types of prostate treatments, a catheter is inserted into the penis with a collecting bag on one end to retain urine while the re-sectioning of the urethra and bladder heals.

free PSAs: Prostate specific antigens (PSA) that exist in the bloodstream. Low numbers may indicate the presence of cancer.

glandular cells: Also called epithelial cells, these comprise the prostate's glandular density and interact with the surrounding stromal cells to institute disease development.

Gleason score: A system of rating the extent of prostate cancer involvement based on biopsy core tissue and given a number between one and 10, with the higher end often being a positive indicator of wider involvement and aggression.

hematospermia: Also known as hemospermia, this is the presence of blood in semen upon ejaculation that can be the result of infection of the prostate gland. Can also be present following a biopsy.

hematuria: Blood in the urine that may be visible to the naked eye or only seen under a microscope. May be the result of exercise or indicate the presence of more serious infections and disease.

HIFU: High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, at this time is not approved in the United States, but has been in use internationally for many years as a prostate cancer treatment incorporating a high-heat beam to destroy specific cancerous cells without affecting surrounding areas.

hormone therapy: Also called androgen deprivation or chemical castration, in which hormone suppression can temporarily aid in prostate cancer treatment and, in extreme cases, may mean removal of the testicles.

impotence: A common side effect of prostate cancer treatments that can be temporary or permanent; either in the short term following surgery or in the long term after radiation therapy. Also called erectile dysfunction.

incontinence: Lack of urinary control that may be the result of age, surgery or the sign of benign conditions or prostate disease.

indolent prostate cancer: Extremely slow growth of diseased cells that may indicate no treatment is needed other than watchful waiting.

IMRT: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy is a prostate cancer treatment involving a mobile machine that applies varying degrees of radiation to the diseased area as it rotates around the body.

intracavernous injection therapy: An impotence treatment that utilizes injections at the base of the penis to encourage blood flow and often used as a therapy following prostate surgery or radiation.