Glossary of Terms

Complete removal of the breast due to malignant disease of the gland.

Terms that describe a benign lesion. In the case of the mammary gland, a benign tumor may be a cyst, fibroadenoma, lipoma, etc. A benign tumor does not turn into a malignant tumor.

A new type of therapy that targets the biological behaviour of cancer cells by binding to their receptors (binding sites).

Taking a small yet adequate sample of the mammary gland, which is analyzed to determine whether it contains a benign or malignant tumor. This procedure is conducted on an outpatient basis using a needle and is generally well-tolerated and painless.

A special method of breast tissue sampling, used especially in the suspicion of so-called microcalcifications – miniature calcified bodies that are visible only in mammography and may be a signal of the presence of a malignant tumour.

Monitoring and regular check-ups, which can also be scheduled for the surveillance of non-malignant lumps. However, dispensary care is primarily established for patients after the treatment of malignant diseases. The goal of this monitoring is the early detection of disease recurrence or relapse if it were to occur. Dispensary care includes screening examinations as well as various laboratory tests as planned by the attending physician.

Treatment with chemicals of various kinds that have a toxic (poisonous) effect on multiplying cancer cells.

These are expressions that convey the presence of a malignant tumor.

Examination of the breast gland using a special mammography machine that was developed only for breast examination. It uses soft X-rays in minimal, harmless doses. It is the primary method used for women aged 40 and over.

A site of malignant disease that arises from the expulsion of malignant cells from the original tumour, either by blood or lymph.

It is usually used in the context of trying to detect the early stages of a disease when there is still a good chance of recovery. In this case, we speak of secondary prevention. The more ideal primary prevention is to try to prevent the onset of the disease altogether. However, in the case of breast tumors, we do not have a convincing primary prevention.

Maintenance treatment of the operated breast using medical strictly dosed radiation.

A technical term for a lump. Medical professionals use the word resistance exclusively for palpable findings.

A regular "examination" of the breast gland by palpation, which is carried out by women who are interested taking care of their health. It is carried out after menstruation, and for women who do not menstruate, it is scheduled regularly on a date chosen by the woman herself.

A method that is primarily used to assess bone health, to rule out metastatic involvement (the term metastasis is explained below).

Secondary prevention programme, in which every woman in the Czech Republic from the age of 45 is allowed to have a preventive mammogram once every two years (with no upper age limit), even if she has no prevailing issues. The aim of screening is to look for even the smallest tumours in the breasts. It is the only way to reduce breast cancer mortality.

Minor procedures performed on the breast for the safe removal of a malignant tumour. Most of the breast is saved, which is why we also speak of breast-conserving surgery. Due to the increase in the detection of small tumours in screening, the number of breast-conserving operations is increasing significantly every year.

These are several terms for the same examination. The examination probe, guided by the doctor's hand, slides over the surface of the breast and sends invisible, painless ultrasound waves into the breast. This is a primary method chosen for young women. Ultrasound is also used to examine other organs, especially abdominal organs such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, as well as blood vessels.

Imaging methods refer to all x-ray and non-x-ray methods that are capable of imaging a particular organ.In addition to X-ray (X-ray) and ultrasound (ultrasound) examinations, other advanced imaging methods include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET). These methods are versatile and can be used to examine various organs throughout the body. Doctors select the most appropriate imaging method based on its diagnostic capabilities and the specific clinical needs of the patient.