Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of locally advanced ...

Each stage is divided into subgroups, which may be viewed at
accessed 8 July
2009.
Stricture Scar tissue which obstructs fluid flow. In the case of a urethral stricture,
urine flow is obstructed.
Support People on whom the patient can rely for emotional caring, and
reinforcement of a sense of personal worth and value. Other components
of support may include practical help, guidance, feedback and someone
to talk to.
Surgical margins After a radical prostatectomy, the edges of the tissue which has been
removed are examined to see if cancer cells are present. If they are not
(negative surgical margins) the chance is higher that all of the cancer has
been removed.
Survival—disease free The proportion of people surviving to a given time, such as five years,
without evidence of disease.
Survival—prostate cancer
specific
The proportion of people who do not die of prostate cancer in a given
period, such as five years.
Systemic Relating to the whole body.
Systematic review A review of a clearly formulated question that uses systematic and
explicit methods to identify, select and critically appraise the relevant
literature, and to collect and analyse data from the studies that are
included in the review. Statistical methods (meta-analysis) may or may
not be used to analyse and summarise the results of the included studies.
Testicles Glands which produce sperm and the male hormone, testosterone. They
are found in the scrotum.
Testosterone The major male hormone. It is produced by the testicles.
Trans-rectal ultrasound
(TRUS )
A means of imaging the prostate in order to locate cancer. The
ultrasound probe is placed in the rectum.
Tumour Any swelling. In the context of cancer, the word usually refers to
malignant (cancerous) lumps.
Trans-urethral resection
of the prostate (TURP)
This is a common operation for benign enlargement of the prostate, but
only occasionally used to treat prostate cancer. An instrument is inserted,
under anaesthetic, along the urethra (urine tube) and removes prostate
tissue which may be blocking the flow of urine.
Urethra The tube which carries urine and ejaculate along the length of the penis
and to the outside.
This glossary is adapted from the Clinical Practice Guidelines: evidence-based information and
recommendations for the management of localised prostate cancer. A report of the Australian Cancer
Network Working Party on management of localised prostate cancer. October 2002, NHMRC,
Canberra.
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Appendices