A glossary of terms covering all aspects of breast and ovarian cancer.
All
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Locally advanced breast cancer |
Invasive breast cancer that has spread to areas near the breast, such as the chest wall |
| Lumpectomy |
See 'Breast conserving surgery' |
| Lymph |
Fluid from the body's tissues that is collected by lymphatic vessels |
| Lymph nodes |
Glands in the armpit and other parts of the body that protect the body from infection |
| Lymphatic system |
A network of vessels in the body that collect fluid (lymph) and other waste materials from the body's tissues |
| Lymphatic vessels |
Tiny vessels next to blood vessels that collect fluid and waste products from the body's tissues |
| Lymphoedema |
Swelling of the arm or breast that can sometimes develop after treatment for cancer |
| Lymphoma |
Cancer that arises from white blood cells. Includes Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
| Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) |
A way of producing a picture of the inside of the body using magnetic fields |
| Mammogram |
A way of taking a picture of the breast using a low-dose X-ray |
| Manual lymphatic drainage |
A massage technique used in the management of lymphoedema |
| Mastectomy |
Removal of the whole breast |
| Medical oncologist |
A health professional who specialises in managing chemotherapy, cancer pain and other symptoms |
| Menopausal symptoms |
Symptoms of menopause - may include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes and loss of sex drive |
| Menopause |
The final menstrual period |
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Patron: Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia