Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Bleeding from the uterus that is different from what is normal for a woman who is not pregnant. This bleeding may vary in how long, how regular, and how often it occurs.
Anesthesia: Relief of pain by loss of sensation.
Body Mass Index (BMI): A number calculated from height and weight. BMI is used to determine whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
Chemotherapy: Treatment of cancer with drugs.
Dilation and Curettage (D&C): A procedure that opens the cervix so tissue in the uterus can be removed using an instrument called a curette.
Endometrial Biopsy: A procedure in which a small amount of the tissue lining the uterus is removed and examined under a microscope.
Endometrial Cancer: Cancer of the lining of the uterus.
Endometrial Intraepithelial Neoplasia (EIN): A precancerous condition in which areas of the lining of the uterus grow too thick.
Endometrium: The lining of the uterus.
Estrogen: A female hormone produced in the ovaries.
Fallopian Tubes: Tubes through which an egg travels from the ovary to the uterus.
Gene: A segment of DNA that contains instructions for the development of a person’s physical traits and control of the processes in the body. The gene is the basic unit of heredity and can be passed from parent to child.
Gynecologic Oncologist: A doctor with special training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer of the female reproductive organs.
Hormone Therapy: Treatment in which estrogen and often progestin are taken to help relieve symptoms that may happen around the time of menopause.
Hysterectomy: Surgery to remove the uterus.
Hysteroscope: A thin, lighted telescope that is used to look inside the uterus and do procedures.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A procedure in which an egg is removed from a woman’s ovary, fertilized in a laboratory with the man’s sperm, and then transferred to the woman’s uterus to achieve a pregnancy.
Lymph Nodes: Small groups of special tissue that carry lymph, a liquid that bathes body cells. Lymph nodes are connected to each other by lymph vessels. Together, these make up the lymphatic system.
Lynch Syndrome: Genetic condition that increases a person’s risk of cancer of the colon, rectum, ovary, uterus, pancreas, and bile duct.
Menopause: The time when a woman’s menstrual periods stop permanently. Menopause is confirmed after 1 year of no periods.
Metastasize: Spreading of cancer to other parts of the body.
Mutation: A change in a gene that can be passed from parent to child.
Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A doctor with special training and education in women’s health.
Ovaries: Organs in women that contain the eggs necessary to get pregnant and make important hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Perimenopause: The time period leading up to menopause.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A condition that leads to a hormone imbalance that affects a woman’s monthly menstrual periods, ovulation, ability to get pregnant, and metabolism.
Progesterone: A female hormone that is made in the ovaries and prepares the lining of the uterus for pregnancy.
Progestin: A synthetic form of progesterone that is similar to the hormone made naturally by the body.
Radiation Therapy: Treatment with radiation.
Recurrence: The return of disease or its signs and symptoms.
Salpingo-oophorectomy: Surgery to remove an ovary and fallopian tube.
Stage: Stage can refer to the size of a tumor and the extent (if any) to which the disease has spread.
Transvagin*l Ultrasound Exam: A type of ultrasound in which the device is placed in your vagin*.
Tumor: A growth or lump made up of cells.
Uterus: A muscular organ in the female pelvis. During pregnancy, this organ holds and nourishes the fetus.
