aromatase inhibitors – medicine that reduces the production of estrogen in the body.  It is used for women with a history of hormone-sensitive breast cancer.

 

axilla/axillary lymph nodes – the region in the underarm containing lymph nodes that filter substances from the breast.

 

biopsy – a procedure that involves removal of tissue to check for cancer cells.

 

breast metastases – areas where cancer has spread in the body after originating in the breast.

 

ductal cancer in situ – a type of breast cancer that stays inside a duct and does not spread to nearby tissues.

 

estrogen receptor – a special area on the surface of a cell to which estrogen and other hormones can attach.

 

gene – a part of DNA responsible for making new cells and for controlling the growth and repair of cells.

 

invasive – refers to cancer that spreads beyond the area where it started.

 

Ki67 – a marker frequently appearing on a pathology report that is used to determine how fast a tumor is growing.

 

lymph nodes – areas of the body that filter the lymph fluid. 

 

margins – a cancer-free area around a tumor.

 

oncologist – a type of physician trained in the specialty of cancer care.

 

pathologist – a type of physician who looks at tissue under a microscope to see if it is normal or affected by disease.

 

progesterone receptor – a special area on the surface of a cell to which progesterone or other hormones can attach.

 

radiologist – a type of doctor who looks at x-rays.