Treatment that is given after the breast cancer has not responded to other treatments.

Also called GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. A substance being studied in the treatment of breast cancer. Sargramostim helps make more white blood cells, especially granulocytes, macrophages, and cells that become platelets.

A picture of structures inside the body. Scans often used in diagnosing, staging, and monitoring breast cancer include liver scans, bone scans, and computed tomography (CT) or computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans, positron emission tomograhy (PET) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. In liver scanning and bone scanning, radioactive substances that are injected into the bloodstream collect in these organs. A scanner that detects the radiation is used to create pictures. In CT scanning, an X-ray machine linked to a computer is used to produce detailed pictures of organs inside the body. MRI scans use a large magnet connected to a computer to create pictures of areas inside the body.

Also called radionuclide scanning. A procedure that produces pictures (scans) of structures inside the body, including areas where there are cancer cells. Scintigraphy is used to diagnose, stage, and monitor disease. A small amount of a radioactive chemical (radionuclide) is injected into a vein or swallowed. Different radionuclides travel through the blood to different organs. A machine with a special camera moves over the person lying on a table and detects the type of radiation given off by the radionuclides. A computer forms an image of the areas where the radionuclide builds up. These areas may contain cancer cells.

A benign condition in which scar-like tissue is found in a gland, such as the breast lobules. A biopsy may be needed to tell the difference between the unhealthy tissue and a diagnosis of cancer. Women with sclerosing adenosis of the breast may have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.

X-rays of the breasts taken to check for breast cancer in the absence of signs or symptoms. Results from randomized clinical trials and other studies show that screening mammography can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 74. The National Cancer Institute recommends that women age 40 or older should have screening mammograms every 1 to 2 years.

Treatment that is given when initial treatment (first-line therapy) doesn't work, or stops working.

A term that is used to describe either a new primary cancer or cancer that has spread from the place in which it started to other parts of the body.

A medicine or substance used to calm a person down, relieve anxiety, or help a person sleep.

An error in choosing the individuals or groups to take part in a study. Ideally, the subjects in a study should be very similar to one another and to the larger population from which they are drawn (for example, all individuals with the same disease or condition). Some differences between individuals in a study could invalidate the results.

Also called SSRI. A type of medicine used to treat depression. SSRIs slow the process by which serotonin (a substance that nerves use to send messages to one another) is reused by nerve cells that make it. This increases the amount of serotonin available for stimulating other nerves. Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed during breast cancer treatment.

Surgery and removal of the first lymph nodes in the armpit where breast cancer is likely to travel. Surgeons identify the sentinel lymph nodes by injecting a radioactive substance, blue dye, or both near the breast tumor. The surgeon then uses a probe to find the sentinel lymph node or nodes containing the radioactive substance, or looks for lymph nodes that are stained with dye. The surgeon then removes the sentinel node or nodes to check for the presence of cancer cells.

The presence of bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues that may lead to fever, chills, rapid breathing and heart rate, rash, confusion and disorientation. People affected with cancer, or those with weakened immune systems, are at an increased risk for sepsis, which is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention. A healthcare professional can diagnose sepsis by testing bodily fluids for infectious agents. Additional tests, such as chest X-ray and CT scan, can help locate the site of the infection.

One treatment after the other.

Also called Zoloft. A medicine used to treat depression. It is a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Also called Miraluma test, scintimammography. A type of breast imaging test that is used to detect cancer cells in the breasts of some women who have had mammograms with cause for follow-up testing, or who have dense breast tissue. It is not used for screening or in place of a mammogram. In this test, a woman receives an injection of a small amount of a radioactive substance called technetium 99, which is taken up by cancer cells, and a gamma camera is used to take pictures of the breasts.

A person's brother or sister who has the same parents.

A synthetic gel that is used as an outer coating on breast implants and as the inside filling of some implants. Silcone-gel-filled breast implants are one of two options approved in the United States - saline-filled implants are also available. Both types of implants have an outer shell made of silicone.

A process used to plan radiation therapy after breast cancer surgery so that the target area is precisely located and marked.

A disturbance of normal sleep patterns. There are a number of sleep disorders that include trouble falling asleep, nightmares, sleepwalking, and sleep apnea (problems with breathing that lead to loud snoring). Poor sleep may also be caused by diseases such as heart disease, lung disease or nerve disorders. It can also be triggered by the emotional impact of a breast cancer diagnosis, or side effects of breast cancer treatment. Multiple studies are examining the sleep disturbances in those being treated for breast cancer, and those who have completed treatment.

A network of family, friends, neighbors, and community members that is available in times of need to give psychological, physical and financial help.

A substance that is used in medicine as an antidote to cyanide poisoning and to decrease side effects of the anticancer medicine cisplatin.

A lump of breast tissue that is not fluid-filled. Solid breast tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Different types of solid tumors are named for the type of cells that form them. Examples of solid tumors are sarcomas, carcinomas and lymphomas.

An alteration in DNA that occurs after conception. Somatic mutations can occur in any of the cells of the body except the germ cells (sperm and egg) and therefore are not passed on to children. These alterations can (but do not always) cause cancer or other diseases.

In medicine, a doctor or other health care professional who is trained and licensed in a special area of practice. Examples of medical specialists include oncologists (cancer specialists) and hematologists (blood specialists).

An abnormal finding on a mammogram that appears as a dense region with lines that radiate from its center.

Also called SAB, spinal anesthesia, subarachnoid block. A temporary loss of feeling in the abdomen and/or the lower part of the body. Special medicines called anesthetics are injected into the fluid in the lower part of the spinal column to cause the loss of feeling. The individual stays awake during the procedure. It is a type of regional anesthesia.

Having to do with deep, often religious, feelings and beliefs, including a person's sense of peace, purpose, connection to others, and beliefs about the meaning of life. Studies show that exploring one's spirituality during and after breast cancer treatment can provide a resource for dealing with the physical and psychological responses to cancer.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. A type of medicine used to treat depression. SSRIs slow the process by which serotonin (a substance that nerves use to send messages to one another) is reused by nerve cells that make it. This increases the amount of serotonin available for stimulating other nerves. SSRIs are sometimes prescribed after a breast cancer diagnosis.

The extent of a breast cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain breast cancer, and whether the breast cancer has spread from the breast to other parts of the body.

A group of abnormal cells that remain in the place where they first formed. They have not spread. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Also called carcinoma in situ.

Stage I breast cancer is divided into stages IA and IB. In stage IA, the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and has not spread outside the breast.

Stage II is divided into stage IIA and stage IIB based on tumor size and whether it has spread to the axillary lymph nodes (the lymph nodes under the arm). In stage IIA, the cancer is either no larger than 2 centimeters and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes, or between 2 and 5 centimeters but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes. In stage IIB, the cancer is either between 2 and 5 centimeters and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes, or larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.

Stage II breast cancer is divided into stages IIA and IIB. In stage IIA, (1) no tumor is found in the breast, but cancer is found in the axillary (under the arm) lymph nodes; or (2) the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes; or (3) the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 5 centimeters and has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.

Stage III breast cancer is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. In stage IIIA, (1) no tumor is found in the breast, but cancer is found in axillary (under the arm) lymph nodes that are attached to each other or to other structures, or cancer may be found in lymph nodes near the breastbone; or (2) the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and cancer has spread to axillary lymph nodes that are attached to each other or to other structures, or the cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone; or (3) the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 5 centimeters and cancer has spread to axillary lymph nodes that are attached to each other or to other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone; or (4) the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters and cancer has spread to axillary lymph nodes that may be attached to each other or to other structures, or the cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone. In stage IIIB, the tumor may be any size and cancer (1) has spread to the chest wall and/or the skin of the breast; and (2) may have spread to axillary lymph nodes that may be attached to each other or to other structures, or the cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone. In stage IIIC, there may be no sign of cancer in the breast or the tumor may be any size and may have spread to the chest wall and/or the skin of the breast. Also, cancer (1) has spread to lymph nodes above or below the collarbone, and (2) may have spread to axillary lymph nodes or to lymph nodes near the breastbone. In operable stage IIIC, the cancer is found (1) in ten or more axillary lymph nodes; or (2) in the lymph nodes below the collarbone; or (3) is found in axillary lymph nodes and in lymph nodes near the breastbone. In inoperable stage IIIC, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes above the collarbone.

Stage III breast cancer is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. In stage IIIA, (1) no tumor is found in the breast, but cancer is found in axillary (under the arm) lymph nodes that are attached to each other or to other structures, or cancer may be found in lymph nodes near the breastbone; or (2) the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and cancer has spread to axillary lymph nodes that are attached to each other or to other structures, or the cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone; or (3) the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 5 centimeters and cancer has spread to axillary lymph nodes that are attached to each other or to other structures.

Stage III breast cancer is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. In stage IIIC, there may be no sign of cancer in the breast or the tumor may be any size and may have spread to the chest wall and/or the skin of the breast. Also, cancer (1) has spread to lymph nodes above or below the collarbone and (2) may have spread to axillary (under the arm) lymph nodes or to lymph nodes near the breastbone. In operable stage IIIC, the cancer is found (1) in ten or more axillary lymph nodes; or (2) in the lymph nodes below the collarbone; or (3) in axillary lymph nodes and in lymph nodes near the breastbone. In inoperable stage IIIC, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes above the collarbone.

Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment.

In medicine, treatment that experts agree is appropriate, accepted and widely used. Health care providers are obligated to provide individuals with the standard of care. Also called best practice and standard therapy.

Also called significant. Describes a mathematical measure of difference between groups. The difference is said to be statistically significant if it is greater than what might be expected to happen by chance alone.

A biopsy procedure using a computer and a 3-dimensional scanning device to find a tumor site, and guide the removal of tissue for examination under a microscope.

Unable to produce children. Also means free from germs.

A type of medicine used to relieve swelling and inflammation. Some steroid medicines may also have antitumor effects.

A metal often used in a radioactive form for imaging tests and in the treatment of breast cancer.

Beneath the skin.

An improvement that is reported by the a person receiving treatment, but cannot be measured by the healthcare provider (for example, "I feel better").

A substance or product that is added to a person's diet to make sure they get all the nutrients they need. It may include vitamins, minerals, protein, or fat, and may be given by mouth, by tube feeding or into a vein.

A group of people with similar disease or concerns who help each other cope by sharing experiences and information.

A lymph node located above the clavicle (collarbone).

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

Describes a stop in a woman's menstrual periods that is caused by surgical removal of her ovaries. Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble concentrating and infertility.

Also called overall survival rate. The percent of people in a study or treatment group who are alive for a certain period of time after they were diagnosed with or treated for a disease, such as breast cancer. This is commonly expressed as a 5-year survival rate, meaning the percent of people in a study or treatment group who are alive 5 years after diagnosis or treatment.

Also called comfort care, palliative care, supportive care. Care given to improve the quality of life of those who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of symptom management is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of a disease, side effects caused by treatment of a disease, and psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to a disease or its treatment.

In medicine, describes the interaction of two or more medicines when their combined effect is greater than the sum of the effects seen when each one is given alone.

A small hollow tube used for injecting or withdrawing liquids. It may be attached to a needle in order to withdraw fluid from the body or inject medicines into the body.

Treatment with anticancer agents that travel through the blood to cells all over the body.