Words to Know
salpingo-oophorectomy
Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. This surgery is sometimes recommended to women at high risk of developing ovarian cancer because of a known BRCA mutation, or to stop the creation of estrogen in the body that fuels the growth of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
samarium 153
A radioactive substance used in the treatment of bone cancer and bone metastases (cancers that have spread from the original tumor to the bone). Samarium 153 is a radioactive form of the element samarium. It collects in bone, where it releases radiation that may kill cancer cells. It is a type of radioisotope.
scan
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.
scintigraphy
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.
scintimammography
Also called Miraluma test and sestamibi breast imaging. 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.
sclerosing adenosis
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.
screening mammogram
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.
selection bias
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.
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
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.
sentinel lymph node biopsy
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.
sepsis
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.
sequential AC/Taxol-Trastuzumab regimen
Also called AC-T-T, AC-T-T regimen, AC-TH regimen. An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat breast cancer. It includes doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide, followed by treatment with paclitaxel (Taxol) and trastuzumab (Herceptin).
sestamibi breast imaging
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.
sexuality
A person's behaviors, desires, and attitudes related to sex and physical intimacy with others. Sexuality can be impacted by breast cancer treatment, due to premature menopause or the fatigue and depression conditions sometimes triggered by breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Body image issues can occur as a result of surgery, side effects of breast cancer treatment, and a change in appearance due to hair loss. A change in body confidence can impact sexuality. Healthcare professionals can provide resources to help address sexuality issues related to breast cancer.
silicone
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.
sleep disorder
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.
sorafenib
Also called BAY 43-9006, Nexavar, sorafenib tosylate. A medicine being studied in the treatment of breast cancer, as well as other types of cancer. Sorafenib stops cells from dividing and may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of kinase inhibitor and a type of antiangiogenesis agent.
specificity
When referring to a medical test, specificity refers to the percent of people who test negative for a specific disease among a group of people who do not have the disease. No test is 100 percent specific because some people who do not have the disease will test positive for it (false positive).
spinal anesthesia
Also called SAB, spinal block, 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.
spinal block
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.
spirituality
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.
SSRI
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.
stage 0 breast carcinoma in situ
There are two types of stage 0 breast carcinoma in situ: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). DCIS is a noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct (a tube that carries milk to the nipple) where the cancer 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 how to predict which lesions will become invasive cancer. LCIS is a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lobules (small sections of tissue involved with making milk) of the breast. This condition seldom becomes invasive cancer; yet, having LCIS in one breast increases the risk of developing breast cancer in either breast. Also called breast carcinoma in situ.
stage I breast cancer
The tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and has not spread outside the breast. 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. In stage IB, (1) no tumor is found in the breast, but small clusters of cancer cells (larger than 0.2 millimeter but not larger than 2 millimeters) are found in the lymph nodes; or (2) the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and small clusters of cancer cells (larger than 0.2 millimeter but not larger than 2 millimeters) are found in the lymph nodes.
stage IB breast cancer
Stage I breast cancer is divided into stages IA and IB. In stage IB, (1) no tumor is found in the breast, but small clusters of cancer cells (larger than 0.2 millimeter but not larger than 2 millimeters) are found in the lymph nodes; or (2) the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and small clusters of cancer cells (larger than 0.2 millimeter but not larger than 2 millimeters) are found in the lymph nodes.
stage II breast cancer
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
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. In stage IIB, the tumor is (1) larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes; or (2) larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
stage IIA breast cancer
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 IIB breast cancer
Stage II breast cancer is divided into stages IIA and IIB. In stage IIB, (1) the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to the axillary (under the arm) lymph nodes; or (2) the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
stage III breast cancer
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 IIIA breast cancer
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 IIIB breast cancer
Stage III breast cancer is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. 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 (under the arm) 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.
stage IIIC breast cancer
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.
stereotactic radiosurgery
A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the individual and precisely give a single large dose of radiation to a tumor. It is used to treat brain tumors and other brain disorders that cannot be treated by regular surgery. It is also being studied in the treatment of breast cancer, as well as other types of cancer. Also called radiation surgery, radiosurgery, stereotaxic radiosurgery.
supportive care
Care given to improve the quality of life of individuals who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of supportive care 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. Also called comfort care, palliative care, symptom management.
surgical oncologist
A physician who removes cancerous tissue during surgery. Surgical oncologists are general surgeons who receive special training in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of cancer. In some cases, the surgical oncologist serves as the main doctor in charge of an individual's breast cancer treatment.
survival rate
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.
symptom management
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.