Breast Oncology Glossary

The presence of cancer cells within lymphatic vessels, indicating potential for spread to lymph nodes.

Chronic swelling of the arm or hand caused by impaired lymphatic drainage following breast cancer treatment.

The presence of tumor cells within lymphatic or blood vessels, indicating increased risk of metastatic spread.

The presence of cancer cells within lymphatic or blood vessel spaces, indicating increased risk of metastasis.

The proportion of fibroglandular tissue relative to fat on mammography, categorized by BI-RADS density classifications.

Pathological evaluation of the distance between tumor cells and the edge of surgically excised breast tissue.

Surgical removal of all or part of the breast tissue, typically performed as treatment for breast cancer.

A rare subtype of invasive breast cancer characterized by malignant cells that have undergone metaplastic transformation...

A group of tiny calcium deposits in breast tissue visible on mammography, potentially indicating ductal carcinoma in sit...

Tiny calcium deposits in breast tissue that appear as small bright spots on mammography, potentially indicating malignan...

A measurement of cell division rate used in breast cancer grading and prognosis.

Classification of breast cancers based on gene expression patterns that define biologically distinct tumor types with di...

A minimally invasive procedure using magnetic resonance imaging to guide needle placement for tissue sampling of breast...

Multiple distinct tumor foci within the same breast quadrant separated by normal tissue.

Multiple tumor foci within the same quadrant or region of the breast, typically within 5cm of each other.

Laboratory tests that analyze expression of multiple genes in breast cancer tissue to predict prognosis and likelihood o...

Chemotherapy administered before surgery to shrink tumor size and assess treatment response.

Treatment given before primary surgery to shrink tumors and improve surgical outcomes.

Surgical removal of breast tissue while preserving the nipple-areolar complex.

A standardized histological grading system for invasive breast carcinoma based on tubule formation, nuclear pleomorphism...

An intermediate state of cancer spread with limited number of metastatic sites that may be amenable to aggressive local...

Surgical technique combining oncologic resection with immediate plastic reconstruction to preserve breast shape.

Breast cancer surgery that combines oncologic tumor removal with plastic surgery techniques to optimize cosmetic outcome...

Genomic test that analyzes tumor genes to predict chemotherapy benefit and recurrence risk.