Glossary
Print PageYou may hear these terms discussed in reference to yourself, your spouse, or your daughter:
Alfa-fetoprotein (AFP): A tumor marker for certain cancers of the ovaries and testes. Adults should have less than 15 nanograms of alfa-fetoprotein per milliliter of blood.
Amenorrhea: The monthly menstrual cycle ceases due to one of these causes:
• Menopause • Pregnancy • Exercising too much
• Not eating enough (anorexia nervosa) • Extreme stress
• A serious underlying medical benign breast disease, such as uremia from end-stage renal disease (ESRD or kidney failure)
Anemia: Lack of blood, usually due to iron deficiency anemia. Anemic people feel tired and are withdrawn and pale. Dark skinned people have pale mucous membranes. Your family doctor orders a Complete Blood Count and ferritin levels to confirm that you have anemia, and will likely prescribe iron supplements.
ßhCG: Pronounced Beta HCG. Pregnant women excrete this pregnancy hormone 10 days after conception. Males with carcinoma of the testicles excrete ßhCG. If you had cancer surgery but are still excreting ßhCG, then there is residual cancer that must be removed.
CA-15-3: Cancer Antigen 15-3, which is elevated in 3⁄4 of patients with metastatic breast cancer.
CA-125: Cancer Antigen 125 is a tumor marker for ovarian cancer.
CA-549: Cancer Antigen 549 is elevated in half of patients with advanced breast cancer.
Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstruation. If it is caused by excessive prostaglandins, dysmenorrhea can usually be relieved with ibuprofen (Motrin), massage, heat packs, adequate rest, and mild aerobic exercise, like walking. If it is caused by PCOS, hyperplasia, submucosal fibroids, or another uterine abnormality, the doctor must investigate further. Progesterone often relieves the pain associated with heavy menstruation from hyperplasia or fibroids.
Fibroid tumors: Benign (non-cancerous) uterine tumors that can cause pain and heavy bleeding.
Fibrosis: Scar tissue replaces healthy tissue as a result of degeneration, injury, or infection.
FNAC: Fine needle aspiration cytology.
FSH (follicular stimulating hormone): A hormone produced by the pituitary gland and the placenta, which stimulates the ovaries and controls reproduction.
Gonadotropin levels: The pituitary gland secretes a group of hormones called gonadotropins, which stimulate the testicles and ovaries. Girls with Turner syndrome possess at least one extra X chromosome(s), which usually causes their pituitary glands to produce too much of the gonadotropins FSH (follicular stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone).
Hyalinized: Healthy tissue is replaced by hyaline (clear or translucent white, glassy collagen fibers) due to degeneration.
Hyperplasia: Overgrowth of tissue because of: Overstimulation by estrogen during perimenopause; estrogen-mimicking chemical toxins in the environment, such as pesticides on produce and phthalates in cosmetics and plastics; antibiotics and growth hormones in meat and milk; and obesity.
Hypothalamus: The section of the brain that regulates body temperature, chemical balance, the pituitary gland, and the autonomic nervous system. The hypothalamus is part of the limbic system, so it regulates sexual appetite, eating, sleep, and emotions. It influences heart and breathing rates and blood pressure. The hypothalamus is located in the grey matter, below the thalamus, in the center of the brain. The pituitary gland hangs on a stalk below the hypothalamus.
LH (luteinizing hormone): A gonadotropic hormone released by the pituitary gland in the brain, which stimulates females to ovulate
(release an egg).
Lymphedema: Swollen lymph glands.
Mastectomy: Surgical removal of the breast.
Mammotone: A vacuum-assisted breast biopsy used to remove adenomas less than 3 cm in diameter. A radiologist performs an ultrasound or mammogram to help the surgeon find the adenosis. The small lump is sucked up through a needle.
Mondor’s Disease: Superficial vein irritation, cording, and clotting (thrombophlebitis) that affects the breast, chest wall, arm, or penis.
Can be caused by ill-fitting clothes.
Osteoporosis: Bones that are brittle and break easily due to lack of calcium and sex hormones.
Menorrhagia: Heavy bleeding more than 80 ml per cycle, or 16 soaked sanitary pads per cycle, leading to iron deficiency anemia.
Oligomenorrhea: Scanty uterine bleeding, with cycles greater than 35 days, so there are four to nine periods per year.
PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome. Painful, liquid-filled cysts on the ovaries that cause irregular menstruation, abnormal hair growth, skin tags, dark skin patches, insulin resistance, weight gain, infertility, and miscarriage. It may have a genetic component.
Pituitary gland: Connected to the hypothalamus, the pituitary controls growth hormone, prolactin for milk production, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to stimulate ovaries and testes. The pituitary stimulates the adrenal glands and the thyroid.
Polymenorrhea: One menstrual period every 2-3 weeks; this is too frequent.
Prostaglandin: Chemicals that control the contractions of the uterus. Prostaglandin level is highest when your menstrual period begins. Too much prostaglandin contracts the uterine muscle so hard that the blood supply is cut off, the uterus is starved for oxygen, and pain results. Prostaglandins from the uterus can leak into the bloodstream and cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache.
T3, T4, and TSH: A panel of blood tests used to evaluate the thyroid gland in the neck. Women with thyroid imbalance do not ovulate (release eggs for fertilization).
Virilize: Encourage formation of male secondary sexual characteristics, such as beard growth, voice deepening, and strong muscle growth.