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