Glossary

Cancer that has not spread beyond the breast or nearby lymph nodes, located under the arm.

Breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes. Additional information about the number of lymph nodes in which the cancer has been found is usually provided, as well as the size of the deposit in each node. Micrometastases are deposits of cancer cells that are larger than 0.2 mm but not larger than 2 mm. Macrometastases are deposits of cancer cells that are larger than 2 mm.

Cancer that has spread from the site where it started to healthy tissues in the breast. This is the most common type of breast cancer.

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Breast cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes.

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The spread of cancer to other parts of the body forms a new cancer made up of breast cancer cells.

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The smallest unit of tissue that makes up any living thing. Cells have a very specialized structure and function.

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Treatment with certain drugs that destroy cancer cells or slow their growth.

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A research study in which patients help scientists evaluate ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, or treat diseases.

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Small, bean-shaped organs (sometimes called lymph glands) that are part of the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes under the arm drain fluid from the chest and arm. During surgery, some lymph nodes under the arm are removed to help stage breast cancer.

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The basic unit of heredity found in most cells of the body.

The study of how characteristics (traits) are passed from one generation to the next through genes. These traits include physical characteristics (such as eye color, disease risk, or health status) and behavioral characteristics.

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Study of complex sets of genes, their expression (activity level) and their effects on biological parameters.

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A protein that appears on cancer cells in some breast cancers. A woman whose tumor has a higher than normal level of HER2 is considered HER2 positive. A woman whose tumor has a normal level of HER2 is considered HER2 negative.

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Proteins found in and on breast cells that intercept a hormonal signal that tells the cells to grow. The term HR positive (HR+) means that a woman's cancer cells may be sensitive to and respond to hormonal (endocrine) treatment.

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A generic term referring to drugs such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors that reduce or regulate the production and effects of hormones in the body.

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Using radiation to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be used before or after surgery and is sometimes used in combination with chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is used for localized control of cancer, at the site of the cancer.

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A protein that can be present on certain cells and to which progesterone molecules can bind. These cells are generally sensitive to (respond to) hormone therapy (endocrine therapy).

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A test that analyzes groups of genes and their activity. This activity can influence how a cancer is likely to progress and respond to treatment.

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A predictive test assesses how likely a cancer is to respond to a particular type of treatment. In early breast cancer, a predictive test can be used to identify patients whose risk of recurrence is reduced by adding chemotherapy to standard hormone therapy, as well as those who will not benefit from chemotherapy.

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Prognostic tests assess the risk that a cancer will come back (recur) or spread. Prognosis can also be assessed by clinical and pathological features such as tumor size and grade.

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Treatment following surgery. When there is a risk that the cancer will spread elsewhere in the body, adjuvant therapy is used. This may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or other targeted therapies such as anti-HER2 therapy.

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A lump or growth. A tumor can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous).

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