NCA - Test #5 (56, 57, 58, 59, 63, 64)

abscess

a collection of purulent material

Bartholin's cyst

a cyst in a paired Bartholin's or vestibular gland in the vulva

enterocele

a protrusion of the intestinal wall into the vagina

atypical hyperplasia

abnormal increase in the number of cells in a specific area within the ductal or lobular areas of the breast; this abnormal proliferation increases the risk for cancer benign proliferative breast disease: various types of atypical, yet noncancerous, breast tissue that increase the risk of breast cancer

fistula

abnormal opening between two organs or sites (e.g., vesicovaginal, between bladder and vagina; rectovaginal, between rectum and vagina)

amenorrhea

absence of menstrual flow

dose-dense chemotherapy

administration of chemotherapeutic agents at standard doses with shorter time intervals between each cycle of treatment

ovaries

almond-shaped reproductive organs that produce eggs at ovulation and play a major role in hormone production

hysteroscopy

an endoscopic procedure performed using a long telescopelike instrument inserted through the cervix to diagnose uterine problems

lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)

atypical change and proliferation of the lobular cells of the breast

menarche

beginning of menstrual function

lichen sclerosus

benign disorder of the vulva

fundus

body of the uterus

cervix

bottom (inferior) part of the uterus that is located in the vagina

mastalgia

breast pain, usually related to hormonal fluctuations or irritation of a nerve

rectocele

bulging of the rectum into the vagina

ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

cancer cells starting in the ductal system of the breast but not penetrating surrounding tissue

liposomal therapy

chemotherapy delivered in a liposome, a nontoxic drug carrier

lymphedema

chronic swelling of an extremity due to interrupted lymphatic circulation, typically from an axillary lymph node dissection

polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

complex endocrine condition resulting in chronic anovulation, androgen excess, and multiple ovarian cysts

stereotactic core biopsy

computer-guided method of core needle biopsy that is useful when masses in the breast cannot be felt but can be visualized using mammography

graafian follicle

cystic structure that develops on the ovary as ovulation begins

brachytherapy

delivery of radiation therapy through internal implants called seeds to a localized area of tissue

cryotherapy

destruction of tissue by freezing (e.g., with liquid nitrogen)

dyspareunia

difficult or painful sexual intercourse

ovulation

discharge of a mature ovum from the ovary

cystocele

displacement of the bladder downward into the vagina

endometriosis

endometrial tissue in abnormal locations; causes pain with menstruation, scarring, and possible infertility

gynecomastia

firm, overdeveloped breast tissue typically seen in adolescent boys

sentinel lymph node

first lymph node(s) in the lymphatic basin that receives drainage from the primary tumor in the breast; identified by a radioisotope and/or blue dye

Paget's disease

form of breast cancer that begins in the ductal system and involves the nipple, areola, and surrounding skin

BRCA1 and BRCA2

genes on chromosome 17 that, when damaged or mutated, increase a woman's risk for breast and/or ovarian cancer compared with women without the mutation

progesterone

hormone produced by the corpus luteum that prepares the uterus for receiving the fertilized ovum

luteinizing hormone (LH)

hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates progesterone production

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

hormone released by the pituitary gland to stimulate estrogen production and ovulation

androgens

hormones produced by the ovaries and adrenals that affect many aspects of female health, including follicle development, libido, oiliness of hair and skin, and hair growth

ultrasonography

imaging method using high-frequency sound waves to diagnose whether masses are solid or fluid filled

candidiasis

infection caused by Candida species or yeast; also referred to as monilial vaginitis or yeast infection

mucopurulent cervicitis

inflammation of the cervix with exudate; almost always related to a chlamydial infection

salpingitis

inflammation of the fallopian tube

endocervicitis

inflammation of the mucosa and the glands of the cervix

vaginitis

inflammation of the vagina, usually secondary to infection

vulvitis

inflammation of the vulva, usually secondary to infection or irritation

vestibulitis

inflammation of the vulvar vestibule

mastitis

inflammation or infection of the breast

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

inflammatory condition of the pelvic cavity, usually from a sexually transmitted infection

hyphae

long, branching filamentous structures characteristic of fungi such as Candida seen under microscopic examination

pelvic exenteration

major surgical procedure in which the pelvic organs are removed

aromatase inhibitors

medications that block the production of estrogens by the adrenal glands

transverse rectus abdominal myocutaneous (TRAM) flap

method of breast reconstruction in which a flap of skin, fat, and muscle from the lower abdomen, with its attached blood supply, is rotated to the mastectomy site

vestibulodynia

most common type of vulvodynia, characterized by sharp pain in response to pressure applied to the vestibular area of the vulva

endometrium

mucous membrane lining of the uterus

benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

noncancerous enlargement or hypertrophy of the prostate; the most common pathologic condition in older men

vulvodynia

painful condition that affects the vulva

dysmenorrhea

painful menstruation

introitus

perineal opening to the vagina

menopause

permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity

conization

procedure in which a cone-shaped piece of cervical tissue is removed as a result of detection of abnormal cells; also called cone biopsy

loop electrocautery excision procedure (LEEP)

procedure in which a laser is used to remove a thin layer of cervical tissue after abnormal biopsy findings

endometrial ablation

procedure performed through a hysteroscope in which the lining of the uterus is burned away or ablated to treat abnormal uterine bleeding

brachytherapy

radiation delivered by an internal device placed close to the tumor

fine-needle aspiration (FNA)

removal of fluid for diagnostic analysis from a cyst or cells from a mass using a needle and syringe

total mastectomy

removal of the breast tissue and nipple-areola complex

modified radical mastectomy

removal of the breast tissue, nipple-areola complex, and a portion of the axillary lymph nodes

prophylactic mastectomy

removal of the breast to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women considered to be at high risk

salpingo-oophorectomy

removal of the ovary and its fallopian tube (removal of the fallopian tube alone is a salpingectomy)

vulvectomy

removal of the tissue of the vulva

colporrhaphy

repair of the vagina

douche

rinsing the vaginal canal with fluid

tissue expander followed by permanent implant

series of breast reconstruction surgeries after a mastectomy; involves stretching the skin and muscle before inserting the permanent implant

estrogens

several hormones produced in the ovaries that develop and maintain the female reproductive system

corpus luteum

site within a follicle that changes after ovulation to produce progesterone

menstruation

sloughing and discharge of the lining of the uterus if conception does not take place

proliferative phase

stage in the menstrual cycle before ovulation when the endometrium increases

luteal phase

stage in the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium becomes thicker and more vascular

secretory phase

stage of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium becomes thickened, becomes more vascular, and ovulation occurs

mammoplasty

surgery to reconstruct or change the size or shape of the breast; can be performed for reduction or augmentation

breast conservation treatment

surgery to remove a breast tumor and a margin of tissue around the tumor without removing any other part of the breast; may or may not include lymph node removal and radiation therapy

androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)

surgical (orchiectomy) or medical castration (e.g., with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists)

surgical biopsy

surgical removal of all or a portion of a mass for microscopic examination by a pathologist

oophorectomy

surgical removal of an ovary

hysterectomy

surgical removal of the uterus

myomectomy

surgical removal of uterine fibroids

perineorrhaphy

surgical repair of perineal lacerations

dysplasia

term related to abnormal cell changes; may be found on Pap smear and cervical biopsy reports

fibrocystic breast changes

term used to describe certain benign changes in the breast, typically palpable nodularity, lumpiness, swelling, or pain

estrogen and progesterone receptor assay

test to determine whether the breast tumor is nourished by hormones; this information helps to determine prognosis and treatment

uterine prolapse

the cervix and uterus descend into the lower vagina

adnexa

the fallopian tubes and ovaries

perimenopause

the period immediately prior to menopause and the first year after menopause

adjuvant chemotherapy

the use of anticancer medications in addition to other treatments to delay or prevent a recurrence of the disease

galactography

the use of mammography after an injection of radiopaque dye to diagnose problems in the ductal system of the breast

adjuvant hormonal therapy

the use of synthetic hormones or other medications given after primary treatment to increase the chances of a cure by stopping or slowing the growth of certain cancers that are affected by hormone stimulation (sometimes called endocrine or antiestrogen therapy)

vulvar dystrophy

thickening or lesions of the vulva; usually causes itching and may require biopsy to exclude malignancy

hymen

tissue that covers the vaginal opening partially or completely before vaginal penetration

fornix

upper part of the vagina

fibroid tumor

usually benign tumor arising from the muscle tissue of the uterus

condylomata

warty growths indicative of the human papillomavirus

cystocele

weakness of the anterior vaginal wall that allows the bladder to protrude into the vagina

rectocele

weakness of the posterior vaginal wall that allows the rectal cavity to protrude into the submucosa of the vagina