Breast Oncology Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
Oncotype DX
Genomic test that analyzes tumor genes to predict chemotherapy benefit and recurrence risk.
accelerated partial breast irradiation
A radiation therapy technique that delivers higher doses over fewer treatments to only the tumor bed region rather than...
adjuvant therapy
Treatment given after primary surgery to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
ALND
Abbreviation for axillary lymph node dissection, an extensive lymph node removal procedure.
architectural distortion
Abnormal breast tissue pattern on imaging characterized by disruption of normal breast architecture without visible mass...
aromatase inhibitor
A class of hormone therapy drugs that block estrogen production in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive b...
atypical ductal hyperplasia
A benign breast condition characterized by abnormal cell growth within milk ducts that increases breast cancer risk.
axillary lymph node dissection
Surgical removal of multiple lymph nodes from the armpit area to determine cancer spread and provide regional disease co...
background enhancement
Normal breast tissue enhancement pattern on contrast-enhanced MRI that can affect lesion detection and characterization.
background parenchymal enhancement
The degree of normal breast tissue enhancement on contrast-enhanced breast MRI, which can affect lesion detection and ch...
BI-RADS
Standardized reporting system for mammography and breast imaging findings.
BIRP
Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System for Pathology; standardized terminology for breast pathology reporting.
bracketing wires
Multiple guide wires placed around the margins of a breast lesion to assist surgical excision of extensive or multifocal...
BRCA1
Tumor suppressor gene associated with increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers when mutated.
CDK4/6 inhibitor
Targeted therapy drug that blocks proteins involved in cancer cell division.
circulating tumor cells
Cancer cells that have detached from the primary tumor and circulate in the bloodstream, potentially indicating metastat...
concordance
Agreement between imaging findings and pathological results, particularly important in breast biopsy interpretation and...
concordance index
A statistical measure used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of prognostic models in oncology outcomes research.
concordance rate
Statistical measure of agreement between different diagnostic methods or observers in breast cancer assessment.
contralateral breast cancer
Development of a new primary cancer in the opposite breast from the original tumor.
contralateral prophylactic mastectomy
Surgical removal of the unaffected breast in patients with unilateral breast cancer to reduce risk of developing cancer...
contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy
Prophylactic surgical removal of the unaffected breast in patients with unilateral breast cancer to reduce future cancer...
contralateral surveillance
Systematic monitoring of the opposite breast in patients with unilateral breast cancer to detect metachronous cancer dev...
DCIS
Abbreviation for ductal carcinoma in situ, a non-invasive form of breast cancer confined to milk ducts.
deep margin
The surgical margin closest to the chest wall or pectoralis fascia in breast-conserving surgery, critical for assessing...