Glossary of breast cancer terms
Following a breast cancer diagnosis, you’ll begin to hear unfamiliar terms and phrases when talking with your healthcare team. To help your understanding and provide some comfort during this process, we’ve compiled the glossary below. Here you’ll find definitions of terms which may be commonly heard when discussing your diagnosis, with additional information to provide context. This should give you insight into the language of advanced breast cancer and help to reduce confusion during hospital visits.
Advanced Breast Cancer
Breast cancer that has spread from the breast to other parts of the body such as the bones, lungs, liver and brain. Also known as metastatic, or stage 4 breast cancer.
Anastrozole
An aromatase inhibitor, used as hormone therapy to suppress estrogen production and prevent recurrence of ER positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, or in combination with ovarian function suppression in premenopausal women.
Aromatase inhibitors (Als)
A class of medicine used to treat breast cancer by stopping estrogen production in postmenopausal women. After menopause, small amounts of estrogen are still produced with the help of an enzyme called aromatase. AIs such as letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane block aromatase, and therefore the production of estrogen.
CDK4/6 inhibitors
A class of medicine used to treat HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, that target specific proteins known as cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6.
Chemotherapy
Medicines that kill cancer cells, or prevent or slow their growth.
Estrogen Receptor (ER)
A protein found in some cells to which estrogen (and some drugs) can bind. When bound, the receptor binds to DNA in the cell and alters the expression of genes. In breast cancer, high ER expression is associated with a positive response to hormone therapy.
Estrogen Receptor-Positive (ER+)
ER+ breast cancer is a type where estrogen receptors can be detected in standard histology tests. When present, it indicates that endocrine therapy may be useful.
Exemestane
An aromatase inhibitor used as hormone therapy to suppress estrogen production and prevent recurrence of ER-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, or in combination with ovarian function suppression in premenopausal women.
Fulvestrant (Faslodex®)
A selective anti-estrogen used in the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Given by monthly injection.
HER2
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; a protein involved in cell division. In HER2 positive breast cancer, the HER2 gene is over-expressed, and cancer cell growth is stimulated.
Hormonal therapy
Treatment of cancer by alteration of the hormonal balance. Some cancers will only grow in the presence or absence of certain hormones (such as hormone receptor positive or estrogen receptor positive breast cancers).
Hormone
Chemicals secreted by various organs in the body that help regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Hormone Receptor-Positive (HR+)
See ER-positive.
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
See HER2
Ibrance® (Palbociclib)
A CDK4/6 inhibitor (targeted therapy) used to treat ER-positive advanced breast cancer.
Letrozole
An aromatase inhibitor used as hormone therapy to suppress estrogen production and prevent recurrence of ER-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, or in combination with ovarian function suppression in premenopausal women.
Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH)
A hormone in the brain that helps control the making of estrogen by the ovaries
Lymph
Clear fluid circulating through the body in the lymphatic system (part of the immune system); it contains white blood cells and antibodies.
Lymph nodes
Little glands or nodules that form part of the lymphatic system.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A non-invasive method of imaging, which allows the form and metabolism of tissues and organs to be visualised (also known as nuclear magnetic resonance).
Menopause
The point in time when menstrual periods end.
Metastasis
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. The cells in the new cancer location are the same type as those found in the original sites.
Neutropenia
An abnormally low count of a type of white blood cells (neutrophils).
Palbociclib (Ibrance®)
See Ibrance®
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Use of radioactive material to see the shape and function of body parts.
Progesterone
A hormone with key roles in menstruation, pregnancy, and embryogenesis; it is also involved in breast development, immune response and brain function. It may stimulate or inhibit growth of hormone receptor positive breast cancer depending on dose.
Progesterone Receptor-Positive (PR+)
Describes cells that have a protein that binds to the hormone progesterone. Cancer cells that are PR+ may need progesterone to grow. These cells may stop growing or die when treated with substances that block the binding and actions of progesterone.
Side effect
An unhealthy physical or emotional response to treatment.
Targeted therapy
A general term for a medication that targets a specific pathway in the growth and development of a tumour.
Tumour
A swelling or lump. Tumours can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
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