Glossary of terms

Bladder
The organ in the pelvis which stores urine.

Brachytherapy
Short-range radiotherapy for prostate cancer performed by inserting radioactive seeds into the prostate

Continence
The ability to prevent leakage of urine

Cryotherapy
A treatment to destroy tissue by freezing

CT
A type (computerised tomography) of body scan

Cystectomy
Removal of the bladder

Gleason score
A method of grading (2-10) prostate cancer cells according to their microscopic appearance; it predicts aggressiveness

HIFU
High-intensity focused ultrasound.

Hormone
A chemical messenger in the blood

Impotence
Inability to achieve or maintain an erection

Incontinence
The inability to prevent leakage of urine

Keyhole surgery
Surgery performed with a small or no incision

Laparoscopy
A technique of performing a surgical operation using instruments inserted through narrow hollow tubes or ports

Lymph node
2-5 mm structures found all over the body which filter fluid that is not contained in blood vessels and which can trap infection and cancer cells

MRI
A type (magnetic resonance imaging) of body scan

Pelvis
The lower abdomen

Port
A narrow hollow tube inserted into the body through which instruments are inserted to perform laparoscopy

Prostate
A doughnut-shaped organ which lies at the base of the bladder; it has no essential function

Prostatectomy
Removal of the prostate

PSA
Prostate-specific antigen blood test which is raised by many conditions including prostate cancer

Radical
Denotes an operation for cancer

Scrotum
Skin sac which contains the testicles

Seminal vesicle
One of a pair of organs attached to the back of the prostate which store sperm

Sphincter
The valve just below the prostate which allows continence

TURP
Transurethral resection of the prostate: a technique used to remove the inner 2/3 of the prostate telescopically

Urinary system
The kidneys, ureters, bladder and prostate

Urology
The study of the causes and treatment of diseases of the urinary system.