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Diagnostic Mammogram: A diagnostic mammogram is used to evaluate a woman with a breast problem/symptom or an abnormal finding on a screening mammogram.

Diagnostic ultrasound: Ultrasound is another way of looking inside the breast by using sound waves instead of x-rays. It can distinguish a liquid-filled cyst from a solid mass, and it can help to distinguish the difference between normal and abnormal breast lumps.

Estrogen: A hormone that plays an important role in the female reproductive cycle. Also used as a therapy for post-menopausal women.

Estrogen receptor (ER) negative: breast cancer cells that do not contain estrogen receptors. Receptors are cites on the cell to which estrogen attaches, promoting cancer cell growth. Estrogen receptor negative cells do not have the receptors necessary to bind with hormone therapy to block the flow of estrogen to the cell. Hormone therapy works by keeping cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.

Fat Necrosis: A non-cancerous breast disease caused by trauma or injury.

Fibroadenoma: A non-cancerous breast disease most common in younger women.

Fibrocystic Changes: A non-cancerous breast condition, resulting in painful cysts or lumpy breast.

Galactocele: Milk filled cyst

Hormone (endocrine) therapy: Treatment to block your body's natural hormones from reaching any remaining breast cancer cells.

In-situ cancer: When abnormal cells grow inside the lobules or milk ducts but there is no sign that the cells have spread out to the surrounding tissue or beyond, the condition is called carcinoma in situ. The term "in situ", which means "in place," is used because with carcinoma in situ, the 2abnormal cells remain "in place" inside the lobules or ducts where they first developed.

Invasive cancer: The spread of cancer from the location where it started into surrounding tissue.

L - M

Lumpectomy (breast conservation surgery): Surgery in which minimal breast tissue is removed--usually only the tumor and a small surrounding area of normal tissue.

Lymphedema: Swelling of the arm caused by the removal of the axillary lymph nodes or by radiation therapy.

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