Bladder Cancer Glossary of Terms
ADENOCARCINOMA
A malignant tumor which arises from types of glandular tissue. It is a rare type of bladder cancer
BCG — BACILLUS CALMETTE-GUERIN
A weakened form of the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis (bacillus Calmette-Guérin) that does not cause disease. BCG is used in a solution to stimulate the immune system in the treatment of bladder cancer and as a vaccine to prevent tuberculosis. Also called bacillus Calmette-Guérin.
CHEMOTHERAPY
Treatment of cancer with a drug, or combination of drugs, which target cancer cells by interfering with cell division and growth. It is a bladder cancer treatment for some Invasive bladder cancers.
CIS
Carcinoma in situ (flat tumor) — A non-invasive but high grade form of bladder cancer
CLINICAL TRIALS
Tests a new treatment of drug on patients to determine the safety and efficacy of a treatment modality
CT
Computerized tomography, an imaging technique for visualizing tumors, can be used as part of bladder cancer treatment and diagnosis.
CYSTECTOMY
Surgical removal of the bladder, a bladder cancer treatment for some Invasive bladder cancers.
CYSTOPROSTATECTOMY
Surgical removal of the bladder and prostate, a bladder cancer treatment for some Invasive bladder cancers.
CYSTOSCOPY
Procedure in which a lighted instrument called a cystoscope, is inserted into the bladder. This is a diagnostic tool that can be used when bladder cancer symptoms are present, or have been present in the past.
FISH
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a test to detect cytogenetic abnormalities in malignant cells in a urine specimen. This is a diagnostic tool that can be used when bladder cancer symptoms are present, or have been present in the past.
FULGRATION
Destroying a tumor using an electric current, bladder cancer treatment, for some non-invasive (superficial) bladder cancers.
GRADE
An assessment of how abnormal the cancer cells appear microscopically, and how likely the tumor is to grow and spread. Bladder cancer grade is used in determining bladder cancer treatment.
HMO
Health Maintenance Organization. one type of medical insurance coverage
IMMUNOTHERAPY
Bladder cancer treatment with an agent that stimulates the body’s immune system.
INTERFERON
Bladder cancer treatment where naturally occurring substances are used that may help slow tumor growth.
INTRAVESICAL THERAPY
A type of bladder cancer treatment where immunotherapy or chemotherapy drugs are placed directly into the bladder.
INVASIVE BLADDER CANCER
Bladder Cancer that has spread from the lining of the bladder to the underlying muscle wall, or has spread to nearby areas and lymph nodes.
IVP
Intravenous pyelogram–test for checking the kidneys and ureters for the presence of bladder cancer.
MITOMYCIN C
An anti-cancer drug often used during bladder biopsy procedures (see TURBT) to prevent seeding of bladder cancer cells. It may be used intravesically as a bladder cancer treatment for some superficial (non-invasive) bladder cancers.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, an imaging technique for visualizing parts of the body, it can be used as part of bladder cancer treatment and diagnosis.
NON-INVASIVE BLADDER CANCER
Bladder cancer which is confined to the bladder wall
ONCOLOGY
The area of medical specialization that deals with treatment of cancer
PAPILLARY CARCINOMA OF THE BLADDER
A type of bladder cancer, non-invasive transitional cell cancer which grows outward, rather like a mushroom on a stalk.
PATHOLOGIST
Physician who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues. The pathologist will study the biopsies taken and determine the type of bladder cancer, stage, and grade.
PET
Positron Emission Tomography, a non-invasive scanning technique for imaging, used to detect cancer spread. Typically done in conjunction with a CT and images are overlaid can be used as part of bladder cancer treatment and diagnosis.
PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
Type of bladder cancer treatment using drugs that are activated by exposure to light.
RADIATION THERAPY OF THE BLADDER
Type of bladder cancer treatment using exposure to a radioactive substance.
RC
Bladder cancer treatment called a Radical cystectomy (surgical removal of the bladder and prostate in men, bladder and reproductive organs in women)
RESECTION
Surgically removing tissue
RCC
Renal cell carcinoma–kidney (also called renal pelvis) cancer
SMALL CELL CARCINOMA
Squamous cell carcinoma — both are rare type of bladder cancer
SQUAMOUS CELLS
A type of bladder cancer cell with a flat, scale-like appearance
STAGE
Describes the extent of the bladder cancer, including whether or not it is metastatic bladder cancer meaning it has spread from its original site to another part of the body
STAGING SYSTEM
(TNM) — T represents tumor size; N represents the number of lymph nodes involved, if any; M represents the presence of metastases, if any
SUPERFICIAL (OR NON-INVASIVE) BLADDER CANCER
Type of bladder cancer that is confined to the bladder surface
TRANSITIONAL CELL CARCINOMA
Most common type of bladder cancer
TRANSITIONAL CELLS
Cells forming a part of the bladder wall
TUR
Minimally invasive surgery performed via the urethra. This is a diagnostic tool that can be used when bladder cancer symptoms are present, or have been present in the past.
TURBT
Transurethral resection bladder cancer tumor
TURB
Transurethral resection of bladder area that is suspected of bladder cancer.
URINE CYTOLOGY
Test of cells in the urine to detect the presence of bladder cancer cells.
URETER
One of two tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder
URETHRA
A tube which carries urine from the bladder to exit the body
UROLOGY
The area of medical specialization that deals with the urinary tract, bladder cancer diagnosis, and bladder cancer treatment.
