biopsy: A procedure in which a tiny piece of a body part (tissue
sample), such as the kidney or bladder, is removed (with a needle or during surgery) for examination under a microscope to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present. bladder: A thick muscular balloon-shaped pouch in which urine is stored before being discharged through the urethra. cancer: An abnormal growth that can invade nearby structures and spread to other parts of the body and may be a threat to life. carcinoma: Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover body organs. carcinoma in situ (CIS): CIS is a stage of high-grade bladder cancer that appears as a flat, reddish, velvety patch on the bladder lining. CIS is highly malignant and aggressive. cystectomy: The surgical removal of part or all of the urinary bladder. cystoscope: A narrow, tube-like instrument fitted with lenses and a light passed through the urethra to look inside the bladder. The procedure is called cystoscopy (sis-TAW-skuh-pee). cystoscopy: Also known as a cystourethroscopy. An examination with a narrow, flexible tube-like instrument passed through the urethra to examine the bladder and urinary tract for structural abnormalities or obstructions, such as tumors or stones. dysuria: A painful, burning or uncomfortable urination. hematuria: Blood in the urine, which can be a sign of a kidney stone or other urinary problem. Gross hematuria is blood that is visible to the naked eye. Microscopic hematuria cannot be seen but is detected by a urine test. immunotherapy: Also called biologic therapy, it is designed to boost the body’s natural defenses to fight the cancer. It uses materials either made by the body or in a laboratory to bolster, target or restore immune system function. intravesical therapy: A treatment method in which drugs are administered directly into the bladder (through a catheter) rather than being given by mouth or injected into a vein. The medications given allow the drugs to affect the cancerous cells in the bladder and bladder lining with little to no effect to other nearby organs and tissues. invasive: Having or showing a tendency to spread from the point of origin to adjacent tissue, as some cancers do. Involving cutting or puncturing the skin or inserting instruments into the body. kidney: One of two bean-shaped organs that filter wastes from the blood and discharge these waste products in urine. The kidneys are located near the middle of the back. The kidneys send urine to the bladder through tubes called ureters. lamina propria: A layer of loose connective tissue between the mucosa and bladder muscle. laser: Device that utilizes the ability of certain substances to absorb electromagnetic energy and re-radiates as a highly focused beam of synchronized single wave-length radiation. |
malignant: Cancerous
metabolism: The chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life. metastasized: Cancerous tumor that has spread to another part of the body. mucosa: The inside lining of organs. pathologist: A scientist who is skilled in identifying the cause and progress of diseases by examining tissue and fluid from the body. pelvic: Relating to, involving or located in or near the pelvis perforation: A tiny hole that develops in the bladder after treatment for bladder cancer resection. tissue: Group of cells in an organism that are similar in form and function. transurethral resection: Surgical removal of tissue performed with a special instrument inserted through the urethra. tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue or growth of cells. TURBT: Also referred to as a transurethral resection of the bladder. Surgical procedure performed where a lighted tube is inserted through the urethra into the bladder. It serves as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the treatment of bladder cancer. ureter: One of two tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. urethra: In males, this narrow tube carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body and also serves as the channel through which semen is ejaculated. Extends from the bladder to the tip of the penis. In females, this short, narrow tube carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. urethral: Relating to the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. urothelial: Cells that comprise a layer of the bladder. urinalysis: A test of a urine sample that can reveal many problems of the urinary system and other body systems. The sample may be observed for physical characteristics, chemistry, the presence of drugs or germs or other signs of disease. urinary tract: The system that takes wastes from the blood and carries them out of the body in the form of urine. Passageway from the kidneys to the ureters, bladder and urethra. urinate: To release urine from the bladder to the outside. Also referred to as “void.” urine: Liquid waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys, stored in the bladder and expelled from the body through the urethra by the act of urinating (voiding). About 96 percent of which are water and the rest waste products. urologist: A surgeon who specializes in diseases of the male and female urinary systems and the male reproductive system. |