Glossary
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Abacterial cystitis
Inflammation of the bladder of uncertain cause in the absence of any infection with bacteria
Active surveillance
Close monitoring of a condition (usually prostate cancer) without any treatment intervention
Adenocarcinoma
A tumour that is cancerous and develops from the glandular component of any organ (particularly the prostate or kidney in urology)
Alpha-blocker
A drug which relaxes the muscle of the bladder neck & prostate to improve symptoms of urinary obstruction; also used to relax the ureter and encourage the passage of stones
Analgesic
A drug used as a pain-killer
Androgen deprivation
Treatment, usually injections, used to lower testosterone levels
Angiomyolipoma
A tumour of the kidney which arises from blood vessels and fat; It is not cancerous. It may, if it grows large enough, rupture and cause bleeding into or around the kidney. Caution is advised during pregnancy
Antiandrogen
A drug used to block the effects of the male hormone (testosterone) often used in the treatment of prostate cancer
Antibiotic
A drug belonging to a large group of agents used to eradicate bacterial infection
Anti-inflammatory (NSAID)
A drug which reduces inflammation and helps to relieve pain; these are often used to treat prostatitis and the pain from kidney or ureteric stones
Asymptomatic
No signs or symptoms of disease
Azoospermia
The complete absence of sperm in ejaculated semen and is one cause of male-factor infertility. Usually due to failure of production of sperm by the testis or due to obstruction of the tube along which sperm normally pass
Balanitis
Inflammation of the glans penis. If the foreskin is involved, it is called balanoposthitis
Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO)
A progressive disease of the foreskin, of unknown cause, which results in a tight, often white, scarred foreskin. Often referred to as lichen sclerosis of the genitalia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign enlargement of the prostate gland, usually involving the transitional zone of the prostate and occurs with increasing age
Biopsy
A tissue sample taken from any organ or part of the body to ascertain whether any abnormality is present
Bladder
The midline, lower abdominal organ which stores urine prior to its expulsion via the urethra
Bladder cancer
A tumour which develops in the internal lining of the bladder wall; usually a malignant transitional cell carcinoma (TCC)
Bladder training
A technique whereby the patient learns to resist the urge to urinate by passing urine according to a strict, timed schedule
Brachytherapy
A type of radiotherapy where radioactive seeds about the size of a grain of rice, are implanted directly into an organ, usually the prostate gland, to treat cancer
Calcium oxalate
The commonest constituent of kidney stones and the most common type of kidney & ureteric stone
Calculus
A stone, commonly seen in the kidney or ureter, but can also occur in the prostate or bladder
Calyx
The outermost part of the collecting system of the kidney where urine is first collected before it is released further down the urinary tract
Castration (medical)
The use of drugs to antagonise the male or female hormones, having the same effect as surgical removal of the testicles or ovaries
Castration (surgical)
Removal of both testicles (in men) or ovaries (in women)
Catheter
A rubber or silicone tube passed into a hollow organ (usually the bladder) to drain its contents or to monitor how much urine is produced
Chemotherapy
The use of drugs to treat cancer – can be given through veins or in tablet form
Chordee
A deformity of the head of the penis which results in a bending, often worse on erection; often a birth defect
Circumcision
An operation to remove the foreskin, usually performed for phimosis
A form of X-ray where slices are taken through the body to produce images at different levels; now used as the gold standard test to diagnose renal or ureteric stones
Creatinine
A waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys and expelled in the urine; can be measured by a blood test
Cryotherapy
Destruction of a tissue or organ by freezing to a very low temperature
Cystectomy
Surgical removal of the bladder, usually for invasive bladder cancer but also for pain in extreme cases
Cystitis
Inflammation of the internal lining of the bladder; can be due to infection or inflammation
Cystocele
Prolapse of the bladder into the vagina
Cystogram
An X-ray of the bladder where contrast is inserted into the bladder using a catheter to outline the bladder wall
Cystometrogram (CMG)
A technique for assessing bladder function by filling the bladder with fluid or gas and measuring the pressure inside the bladder during filling
Cystoscopy
Inspection of the bladder using a telescope (either flexible or rigid) with an attached light source to visualize the inside of the bladder
Cytology
The study of individual cells, usually in the urine, to identify malignancy
Detrusor muscle
The interlocking fibres which form the muscle of the bladder wall
Digital rectal examination (DRE, PR)
Examination of the back passage with a gloved finger, usually to feel the prostate gland
Dilatation
Stretching or widening of an opening, usually the urethra when their is a narrowing (stricture)
Diverticulum
An abnormal pouch, like a hernia, leading off the cavity of a hollow organ; most commonly seen in the bladder
Dribbling
Leakage after the normal passage of urine due to either obstruction (prostate or stricture) or to an abnormal outpouching of the urethra (diverticulum)
Dysuria
Painful passage of urine, often experienced during an infection
Embolisation
Blocking the artery to an organ by introducing foam, coils or gel under X-ray control using a small catheter placed in the artery; often used to stop bleeding in the kidney
Enuresis
Incontinence of urine in persons old enough to be expected to control their urination; nocturnal enuresis refers to bedwetting that occurs at night
Epididymis
Part of the male reproductive tract; a single tightly coiled tube lying behind the testis, & carries sperm from the testis to the vas deferens during ejaculation
Epididymitis (epididymo-orchitis)
Inflammation/infection of the epididymis; called epididymo-orchitis when involves the testis as well
Erectile dysfunction
The inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for penetration and to the satisfaction of both sexual partners; previously referred to as impotence
Erection
The complex process of hardening & enlargement of the penis as a result of sexual stimulation
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)
Shockwaves from outside the body are focussed and fired through the body to fragment stones in the kidney or ureter
Extravasation
Leakage of urine or surgical irrigation fluid outside the urinary tract; can be a complication of an operation
Fournier’s gangrene
A life-threatening infection, usually of the genital region, resulting in death of tissue and profound collapse (due to the toxins released by the dead tissue)
Frenulum
The thin bridge of skin on the under-surface of the penis joining the head of the penis to the inside of the foreskin
Frequency
Passing urine too often, and more often than normal; can be during the day or night (nocturia)
Gleason grade
A method of scoring the aggressiveness of prostate cancer by assessing the pathological appearance of the tumour under a microscope
Green light laser (PVP)
A technique for relieving prostatic obstruction using a KTP (potassium titanyl phosphate) laser which emits visible, green light
Gyneacomastia
Enlargement of breasts in men – can be as a result of androgen treatment
Haematospermia
Blood seen in the semen during ejaculation; often benign & self-limiting
Haematuria
Blood in the urine; called visible if noted by naked eye
Hesitancy
Having to wait an abnormally long time for the flow of urine to start
High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
The use of high frequency ultrasound waves to treat a cancer by heating them, thereby causing cells to die
Histology
The science of assessing tissue under a microscope to determine whether any abnormality is present
Hydrocele
An abnormal collection of fluid in the sac which surrounds the testicle (tunica); can be as a result of any pathological process
Hydronephrosis
Distension of the kidney due to obstruction, reflux or a congenital abnormality
Hypospadias
A congenital abnormality of the penis where the urethra (urinary orifice) does not open at the tip of the penis; often associated with a downward bending of the penis (chordee)
Immunotherapy
Treatment of cancer by stimulating the natural immune response, usually with BCG (Bacille Calmette Guerin) for bladder cancer
Incontinence
Involuntary leakage of urine in persons of an age expected to be in control of their micturition
Infertility
Inability of a couple to produce a pregnancy following a minimum of 1 year of trying without contraceptive precautions
International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)
A symptom score to determine the severity of erectile & ejaculatory function and their impact on quality of life
International prostate symptom score (I-PSS)
A simple questionnaire to determine the severity of a patient’s symptoms
Interstitial cystitis
Inflammation of the bladder of uncertain cause in the absence of any infection with bacteria
Intravenous urogram (IVU)
An X-ray of the kidneys, ureters and bladder performed using an injection of contrast into a vein in the arm; often used to outline the urinary tract
Irrigation
The use of saline or other bottled fluids to keep the bladder clear of clotting blood before, during or after surgery
Kidney
One of two bean shaped organs (normally) which lie at the back of the abdomen, in front of the lower ribs, and filter the blood to produce urine & remove waste products of metabolism
Kidney cancer (renal cancer)
A tumour arising from the kidney, usually an adenocarcinoma
Laparoscope
A telescope with a light source and camera attached which is inserted into the abdominal cavity (through a small incision) to perform ‘keyhole’ surgery, such as removing the kidney
Laser
Light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation; a type of energy source for performing some types of urological surgery, such as removing parts of the prostate or to treat stones
LHRHa (Luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonists)
Drugs used to stop testosterone made from the testes – usually for prostate cancer
Litholapaxy
Crushing of a stone, usually in the bladder, to break it into fragments small enough to be passed spontaneously or to be removed through an endoscope
Lithotripsy
Use of an energy source to break a stone; usually synonymous with ESWL
Lymphadenectomy (lymph node dissection)
Surgical removal of lymph nodes, usually in cancer
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A medical imaging technique used to produce cross-sectional images of the body to characterise tissues by the way the electrons in the tissue move in response to a strong magnetic field; growing in popularity due to the fact that it doe not involve any radiation
Maximum androgen blockade (MAB)
The combination of LHRHa injections and an anti-androgen for prostate cancer
Metastasis
A secondary tumour (remote from the original cancer) which arises by spread through the blood, the lymph system or by direct invasion
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging; a means of producing cross-sectional images of the body to characterise tissues by the way the electrons in the tissue move in response to a strong magnetic field
Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)
A group of clinicians, from all specialities involved in care of a particular condition, who combine to discuss individual patient problems and to recommend treatment plans for each patient
Nadir
The lowest measured result – usually refers to the lowest PSA result after treatment
Nephron
The microscopic functioning unit of the kidney which filters water and waste products from the blood; approximately 1 million nephrons in each kidney
Nephrostomy (also called percutaneous nephrostomy)
A small catheter that is inserted through the skin into the kidney when there is a blockage of the kidney or ureter in the affected side
Nocturia
The need to wake up at night and pass urine; can be associated with the ageing process
Orchidectomy
The surgical removal of one or both testicles
Orchitis
Inflammation (or infection) of a testicle
Overactive bladder (OAB)
A condition caused by involuntary bladder contractions during filling which cannot be suppressed
Overflow incontinence
Leakage of urine from a bladder which is permanently full
Palliative
Treatments used to alleviate symptoms but will not cure the cancer itself
Paraphimosis
Condition where the foreskin becomes “stuck” & trapped behind the head of the penis & cannot be reduced & returned to its original position covering the head of the penis
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
Puncture of the kidney through a small incision in the flank with passage of a telescope into the kidney which is used to visualise, fragment and extract stones
Peyronie’s disease
A plaque (hardened area) that forms in the penis preventing that area from stretching and resulting in bending, indentation (“waisting”) or shortening of the penis
PDE5 Inhibitor
Drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction
Phimosis
Tightness of the foreskin, either due to a scarring disease or as a result of a congenital abnormality & is too tight to be pulled back over the head of the penis
Polydipsia
Excessive thirst which causes the patient to drink large amounts of fluid
Polyuria
Condition leading to excessive production of urine & can be physiological in response to poor water handling ability with increasing age or drinking large amounts of fluids; usually > 3 litres in 24 hours
Positron emission tomography (PET)
A scanning technique, occasionally used to assess the spread of cancer, which combines radio-isotope scanning with CT or MRI
Priapism
A persistent, painful erection which occurs without sexual stimulation
Prostate
A chestnut-sized organ lying at the bottom of the bladder which produces chemicals to nourish sperm and facilitate their transport to the female uterus; grows in response to ageing
Prostatectomy
Removal of the prostate gland by telescopic or open surgery
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
A non-specific chemical released into the bloodstream by the prostate gland which may be raised in men with prostate cancer
Prostatitis
Infection or inflammation of the prostate gland, which can be painful & tender on examination
Prosthesis
An artificial implant used to replace any part of the body (e.g. a testicle)
PSA doubling time
The time taken for the PSA level to double
Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of the kidney, usually as a result of bacterial infection
Quality of Life Score (QoL)
A means of assessing the impact of symptoms on the overall day-to-day activities
Renal colic
Intermittent, excruciating pain produced by the passage of a stone from the kidney downwards towards the bladder
Seminal vesicle
One of a pair of sacs lying behind the prostate gland which store seminal fluid and sperm in preparation for ejaculation; they produce approximately 70% of the seminal fluid
Seminoma
One of the two commonest forms of testicular cancer
Sling
An artificial or natural material inserted, usually around the urethra, to resolve urinary incontinence
Sphincter
A muscular, valve mechanism which prevents outflow from any organ in the body (e.g. bladder, bile ducts, rectum)
Stent
A small tube or splint inserted to keep a tube or blood vessel open; commonly used in the ureter
Stress incontinence
The involuntary leakage of urine during periods of raised abdominal pressure, usually during coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting heavy objects
Stricture
Abnormal scarring or narrowing of a hollow tube
Symptom score
A simple questionnaire to determine the severity of a patient’s symptoms
Teratoma (NSGCT)
One of the two commonest forms of testicular cancer
Testicular cancer
One of commonest tumours in young men; usually a seminoma or teratoma
Testosterone
The main male hormone produced mainly by the testicles (but also, in small amounts, by the adrenal gands)
TNM
A staging system for cancer which describes the extent of the primary tumour (T), the lymph nodes (N) and metastases (M)
Transitional cell carcinoma
A malignant (cancerous) tumour arising from the internal transitional cell lining of the urinary tract; most common type of bladder cancer
Transplantation
Surgical implantation of a donated organ to replace one which has failed to work effectively
Transrectal ultrasound ( TRUS)
Ultrasound examination of the prostate using a probe that is inserted through the rectum
Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT)
Surgery performed through the urethra to remove a tumour in the bladder
Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)
Surgery done through the urethra to remove tissue from the prostate gland – usually to help with sypmtoms
Trial without catheter (TWOC)
Removal of a catheter from the bladder to re-establish normal passage of urine
Ultrasound (U/S)
A medical imaging technique, often called sonogram that uses high-frequency sound waves to reflect off tissues to determine their nature
Ureter
The thin, muscular tube which carries urine down from the kidneys to the bladder; usually 10-12 inches long
Ureteric colic See: Renal colic
Ureteroscopy (URS)
A surgical technique to inspect the ureter (and/or kidney) using a telescope (either flexible or rigid) with an attached light source passed into the bladder and up the ureter towards the kidney
Urethra
The tube through which urine passes to the outside of the body from the bladder; in men it runs through the penis
Urgency
A sudden, irresistible desire to pass urine due to an involuntary contraction of the detrusor bladder muscle
Urodynamics
A technique for assessing bladder function by filling the bladder with fluid or gas and measuring the pressure inside the bladder during filling
Varicocoele
An abnormal collection of varicose veins above the testicle & usually causes no symptoms
Vas deferens
A muscular tube which carries sperm from the epididymis into the urethra during ejaculation of semen; also called ductus deferens
Vasography
An X-ray examination performed through the vas deferens to establish the presence or absence of obstruction in the tubing
Voiding
Passing urine
Watchful waiting
One of the treatments used for prostate cancer as a controlling measure. Used in men who are unlikely to be cured from their cancer or have chosen not to have curative treatments
