Abstinence

No sexual activity such as intercourse or masturbation

Acini

Any small saclike component of the gland

Acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP)

An infection in the prostate gland which causes fever, severe pain in the lower back and genital area and burning, urgent and frequent urination.  It is quite rare and can usually be successfully treated with antibiotics

Adenoma

A benign tumor having the origin or structure of a gland

Adjuvant

A substance added to a drug to increase or help its effect

Adrenal glands

Glands that sit on top of the kidneys

Albumin

A major protein found in blood

Alopecia

Hair loss

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

A protein found in the bloodstream of some men with testicular cancer

Alprostadil

An injectible prostaglandin drug (See Caverject®)

Androgen

A male sex hormone such as testosterone responsible for the development of male characteristics

Andrology

The study of the functions and diseases specific to males, especially of the reproductive organs. The equivalent to gynaecology for women

Antegrade ejaculation

Normal forward ejaculation

Anterior

Describing or relating to the front part of the body, organs or limbs

Antibodies

Proteins made by the body's immune system in response to foreign substance; attacks foreign substance and protects against infection

Antigen

Antigens are generally foreign substances such as toxins or bacteria that cause the body to react with an immune system response

Antimetabolites

Anticancer drugs that are like substances needed by cells for normal growth

Anuria

A condition in which the body stops making urine

Anus

Opening at the lower end of the rectum through which stools are passed

Ascites

A buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which can cause swelling and the feeling of being bloated

Aspiration

Use of a thin needle to take small samples of tissue from the body

Asthenozoospermia

Less than the normal number of moving sperm in the semen

Asymptomatic

A disease process that does not have symptoms

Atherosclerosis

A process that results in the build up of plaques or deposits in arteries that may lead to obstruction of blood flow

Azoospermia

The absence of sperm in the seminal fluid due to a blockage in the sperm ducts or poor sperm production

Benign

Non-cancerous

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

A non-cancerous enlargement the prostate gland due to an increase in the number of cells. The prostate can then push against the urethra and bladder, blocking the flow of urine ">A non-cancerous enlargement the prostate gland due to an increase in the number of cells.  The prostate can then push against the urethra and bladder, blocking the flow of urine   

Beta-human chorionic gonadtrophin
(beta-hCG)

Protein found in the bloodstream that can be a marker of testicular cancer

Bilateral

On both sides

Biopsy

An operation to remove a small sample of tissue or cells from part of the body for testing and examination under a microscope

Bladder

Sac in the lower abdomen which stores urine that has passed from the kidneys down the ureter

Bowel

Part of the gastrointestinal tract betrween the stomach and the anus

BPH

See Benign prostatic hyperplasia or Benign prostatic hypertrophy

Brachytherapy

Radiotherapy using radioactive seeds or rods which are inserted directly into the prostate

Cancer

Diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system and to other parts of the body

Carcinoid

A small tumor that secretes serotonin and is usually found in the gastrointestinal tract

Carcinoma

Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs

Carcinoma-in-situ

Type of 'pre-cancer' that develops into testicular cancer in 50% of cases.  Often found in the second testis of men diagnosed with testicular cancer and needs regular checks.

Cardiologist

A doctor who specialises in heart disease

Castration

Removal of the testes

Catheter

A thin flexible tube used to take fluids in or out of the body

Caverject®

Drug therapy which is injected into the penis

Chemotherapy

Treatment with drugs that circulate in the blood stream to kill cancer cells through different parts of the body

Choriocarcinoma

A rare, highly malignant germ cell cancer

Chorionic Gonadotrophin

A human hormone made by chorionic cells (in the fetal part of the placenta)

Chromosomes

Structures in each cell in the body, which contain genetic material

Cialis®

Brand of oral PDE5 inhibitor which treats erectile dysfunction by promoting the body's natural response to sexual stimulation

Circadian rhythm

A pattern based on a 24 hour cycle

Circumcision

Surgical removal of all or part of the foreskin of the penis

Colitis

Inflammation of the large intestine (the colon)

Colon

Part of the bowel between the small intestine and the rectum

Colonoscopy

Examination of the bowel using a fibreoptic endoscope

Congenital

Any condition that is present at birth

Congenital absence of the vas deferens

Absence at birth of ducts (tubes) that transport sperm from the testes to the ejaculatory duct

Contralateral

The other side of the body, for example, the other testicle

Corpus cavernosum (singular: cavernosa)

Smooth muscle in the penis in the shape of two parallel cylindrical chambers.  These fill with blood druing an erection.

Cortisone

A naturally occurring hormone produced in small amounts by the adrenal gland

Crohn's disease

A chronic inflammatory disease, mainly involving the small and large intestine

Cryptorchidism

Condition in which one or both testicles do not move from the abdomen, where they develop before birth, into the scrotum. Also called undescended testicles or maldescent of the testis

CT scan (computerised tomography)

A  specialised x-ray examination that is used to give 3D images of organs in the body to help define abnormalities within them

culture

To grow cells, tissues or organisms, often in a sterile dish, for scientific purposes

Cyst

A closed sac or capsule, usually filled with fluid or semisolid material

Cystic Fibrosis

A hereditary disease of the exocrine glands and is characterised by the production of abnormal secretions

Cytology

The study of cells

Cytopathology

Checking the normal and abnormal features of cells using a microscope

Detrusor muscle

The large muscle in the bladder that expands to store urine and squeezes or contracts when the bladder is emptied and urine is passed

Dexyribonucleic Acid

A nucleic acid that carries the genetic information in the cell. The sequence of nucleotides determines individual hereditary characteristics

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)

A weak male sex hormone

Diabetes

Potentially life threatening metabolic disorder where blood sugar levels are imbalanced

Diathermy

The use of heat to destroy tissue or cells. Sometimes used in a vasectomy operation to cut or block the vas deferens

Dihydrotestosterone

An androgen derived from testosterone

Doppler Assessment

A test to check blood flow in parts of the body

Down Syndrome

A chromosome disorder that causes mental retardation and a range of other physical problems, including infertility

DRE (digital rectal examination)

A physical examination where the doctor places a gloved finger into the patient's rectum to check the size and shape of the prostate

Dysfunction

Not working properly

Dysuria

Pain or problems with passing urine

Ejaculate

Semen ejected from the penis

Ejaculation

Discharge of semen from the penis during sexual climax (orgasm)

Ejaculatory duct

The part of the male reproductive tract where the vas deferens joins with the seminal vesicle and passes through the prostate

Embolization

A treatment that clogs small blood vessels and blocks the flow of blood

Embryo

An early stage of development as a result of successful fertilisation, up to the eighth week of pregnancy

Endocrine

Refers to a process in which a group of cells secrete into the blood

Endocrine System

The system of glands (including the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, testes) which secrete their products (hormones) into the blood stream

Endocrinologist

A doctor who specialises in problems in the endocrine system (hormones and hormonal function)

Endoscope

A piece of equipment used to see inside the body.  It usually is made up of a thin tube with a light and camera at one end.  This tube is inserted into the patient and sends pictures from inside the body to a monitor or television screen for the doctor to examine more closely

Enuresis

Urinary incontinence not caused by a physical problem

Epididymis

A highly coiled tube at the back of the testes in which sperm are stored and mature. All sperm must pass along this tube to reach the vas deferens

Epididymo-orchitis

Inflamation of the epididymis and testis

Epithelium

The covering of the internal and external organs of the body and the lining of vessels, body cavities, glands and organs.

Erectile dysfunction

An ongoing problem getting and maintaining an erection that is firm enough for sexual intercourse

Erection

Hardening of the penis for sexual intercourse

Extra-gonadal germ cell tumour (EGC tumour)

Rare tumours, found mainly in children, which develop from sperm-forming cells that are found outside the reproductive organs when there is no evidence of cancer in the testes