Glossary
Our glossary shows some of the abbreviations that you may see in our chats or in message board posts.
It is not a comprehensive list of terms in this subject area, and we are not attempting to provide full definitions. You can find more information on these and other terms in glossaries provided by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Breastcancer.org, and the National Institutes of Health (Medline).
BC
Breast cancer.
Bilateral
On both sides of the body. For instance, 'bilateral mastectomies' means the removal of both breasts
BM, BPM
Bilateral mastectomy or Bilateral prophylactic (or preventive) mastectomy
BRCA, BRCA1, BRCA2
'Breast cancer genes' in which some mutations may be related to elevated risk of breast, ovarian, and/or other kinds of cancer. Sometimes spelled BRAC or BRACA; not always capitalized
BSE
Breast self-examination
BSO
Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of tubes and ovaries)
CA-125
A blood test used to detect signs of ovarian cancer or monitor response to treatment
CBE
Clinical breast examination; a breast exam performed by a health-care professional.
DCIS
Ductal carcinoma in situ, a noninvasive type of breast cancer
DIEP
Diep Inferior Epigastric Perforator: a type of breast flap reconstruction surgery
DD
Dear daughter
DH
Dear husband
DP
Dear partner
DPM
Double prophylactic mastectomy (or mastectomies); same as BPM
DS
Dear son
ERT
Estrogen replacement therapy
Flap
A type of breast reconstruction using the body's own tissue
FNA
Fine needle aspirate (a technique for sampling breast tissue by placing a needle into the breast and removing cells)
Gyn/onc
Gynecologic-oncologist, an expert in treating gynecologic malignancies
HRT
Hormone replacement therapy
Hyst
Hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus
IVF
In Vitro Fertilization:
a fertility treatment where the women’s eggs are removed and fertilized in a test tube.
LAVH
Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy
LCIS
Lobular cancer in situ, a noninvasive change in breast tissue that can be a marker for breast cancer risk
Mammo
Mammogram
Mast
Mastectomy
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging; a technique for looking for abnormalities such as cancer using magnetic fields. Breast MRI is typically recommended as a screening tool for breast cancer in high-risk women and is often used to follow up on a breast abnormality seen on mammogram.
NIH
National Institutes of Health
Ooph
Oophorectomy, or removal of the ovaries
OVCA
Ovarian cancer
PGD
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis is a medical procedure that allows people who carry a disease-causing hereditary mutation to have children who are free from the specific mutation that causes the disease.
Proph
'Prophylactic,' or preventive
PM
Prophylactic mastectomy (or mastectomies)
PO
Prophylactic oophorectomy
PS
Sometimes used as shorthand for 'plastic surgeon'
PSO
Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of tubes and ovaries)
Recon
Reconstruction, or reconstructive surgery
Revision
A type of plastic surgery which may be done as a follow-up to an earlier operation
SHG
Saline sonohystogram.
TAH
Total abdominal hysterectomy.
Sono
Sonogram (ultrasound)
TAH
Total abdominal hysterectomy
TRAM
Transverse rectus abdominous myocutaneous flap: a type of reconstructive surgery where fat and muscle from the abdomen are used to recreate breast tissue
TVH
Total vaginal hysterectomy
TVU
Transvaginal ultrasound
U/S
Ultrasound; or ultrasonographic examination
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