This glossary shows some of the abbreviations that you may see in
our chats or in postings to the message board.
It is not meant to be 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 EduCare
or the National Human
Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).
bc
Breast cancer.
bilateral
On both sides of the body. For instance, "bilateral mastectomies" means
the removal of both breasts.
BM
Bilateral mastectomy -- or bowel movement, of course, depending
on the context :-)
BPM
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.
CBE
Clinical breast examination; a breast exam performed by a health-care professional.
DCIS
Ductal carcinoma in situ.
DIEP
Diep Inferior Epigastric Perforator: a type of breast flap surgery.
DD
Dear daughter.
DH
Dear husband.
DP
Dear partner.
DS
Dear son.
E, NS
Emphasis, not shouting. (Thanks, Nicole, for introducing us to this acronym!)
ERT
Estrogen replacement therapy.
flap
A type of breast reconstruction.
gyn/onc
Gynecologist/oncologist.
HRT
Hormone replacement therapy.
hyst
Hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus.
LAVH
Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy.
LCIS
Lobular cancer in situ.
mammo
Mammogram.
mast
Mastectomy.
NIH
National Institutes of Health.
ooph
Oophorectomy, or removal of the ovaries.
ovca
Ovarian cancer.
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.
TAH
Total abdominal hysterectomy.
TRAM
Transverse rectus abdominous myocutaneous flap: a type of reconstructive surgery.
TVH
Total vaginal hysterectomy.
TVU
Transvaginal ultrasound.
u/s
Ultrasound; or ultrasonographic examination.
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let us know if you didn't find what you were looking for, or if you'd like
to suggest some terms to be added to the glossary. If you'd like a response,
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