Words to Know
DCIS
Ductal carcinoma in situ, also called intraductal carcinoma. A noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct. The abnormal cells have not spread outside the duct to other tissues in the breast. In some cases, DCIS may become invasive cancer and spread to other tissues, although it is not known at this time how to predict which lesions will become invasive.
dehydration
A condition caused by the loss of too much water from the body. Severe diarrhea or vomiting can cause dehydration. Some breast cancer treatments can cause dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, headache, decreased urine output, dry mouth, tiredness and listlessness or confusion. Severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention: Symptoms of severe dehydration may include passing out and urinating very little or not at all for 12 or more hours.
denosumab
Also called AMG 162, Prolia and Xgeva. Denosumab is a medicine used to prevent or treat certain bone problems. In women affected with breast cancer, it may help prevent bone loss linked to use of aromatase inhibitors, a family of medicines used to treat postmenopausal women with estrogen-receptor positive disease. Under the brand name Xgeva, denosumab is used to prevent broken bones and other bone problems caused by solid tumors that have metastasized (spread) to bone. Denosumab binds to a protein called RANKL, and keeps RANKL from binding to another protein called RANK, on the surface of certain bone cells. This may help keep bone from breaking down. Denosumab is a type of monoclonal antibody.
depression
A mental condition marked by ongoing feelings of sadness, despair, loss of energy and difficulty dealing with normal daily life. Other symptoms include feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, loss of pleasure in activities, changes in eating or sleeping habits and thoughts of death or suicide. Depression can affect anyone and can be successfully treated.
dietary counseling
Also called nutritional counseling. A process by which a health professional with special training in nutrition helps with healthy food choices and forming healthy eating habits. In breast cancer treatment, the goal of dietary counseling is to help individuals stay healthy during and after treatment and to stay strong enough to fight infections and help prevent the recurrence of disease.