Glossary of Terms
- Abscess
- Cavity filled with pus and bacteria caused by infection
- Asymmetry
- Differences in each breast that can be seen visually
- Autologous
- Tissue from your own body
- Bilateral
- Refers to both sides, or both breasts
- Biopsy
- Tissue sample sent for diagnosis by a pathologist
- Breast Implant
- A manufactured filler used to create volume in a breast. This can be filled with silicone or saline.
- Cancer
- Cells originally from normal tissue that have grown out of control.
- Capsular contracture
- Tightening of the scar capsule around an implant, which may distort the shape of the breast and cause discomfort.
- Capsule
- Scar surrounding an implant.
- Contralateral
- Opposite side. For example, in right sided breast cancer, the left side is contralateral
- DCIS (ductal carcinoma in-situ)
- Non-invasive, abnormal pre-cancer cells within the breast originating from the breast ducts.
- Fat Necrosis
- Death of fat cells caused by lack of blood flow. This creates a hard lump under the skin of the reconstructed breast.
- Hematoma
- A collection of blood trapped in a cavity as a result of a bleeding vessel
- Hypertrophic scar
- Scar tissue that is raised beyond what is normal
- Infiltrating ductal carcinoma
- Most common type of breast cancer. Cancer cells originate in the ducts of the breast.
- Infiltrating lobular carcinoma
- Second most common type of breast cancer. Cancer cells originate in the breast lobules.
- In-situ
- Pre-cancer that is contained within its tissue barrier.
- Invasive
- Cancer had grown beyond its tissue barrier, giving it the potential to spread.
- Ipsilateral
- Refers to a location on the same side. For example, for a right-side breast reconstruction, the patient's right side is ipsilateral.
- Keloid scar
- Scar tissue that extends beyond its boundaries, becoming raised and usually itchy.
- LCIS (lobular carcinoma in-situ)
- Non-invasive, abnormal cells, originating from the breast lobule. This is not a pre-cancer, but indicates a risk of future cancer development.
- Local anaesthesia
- Administration of anaesthesia to an area where “freezing” is desired. This is most effective using an injection with a needle.
- Malposition
- The undesired placement of a breast implant
- Metastatic
- Cancer spread from its original site to other sites, for example lymph nodes or other organs.
- Pedicled flap
- A flap that moves tissue from one site to another, while remaining connected to the patient at all times
- Prophylactic
- Action taken to reduce the chance of having cancer (as in a “prophylactic” mastectomy on the unaffected breast)
- Prosthesis
- An artificial device used to replace a real body part.
- Seroma
- A collection of fluid that develops in a cavity.
- Saline
- Salt-water solution containing 0.9% sodium chloride.
- Tumour
- Latin origin for “swelling”. This refers to any abnormal growth of tissue.
- Unilateral
- Referring to one side, or one breast.