Information for Patients-Medical Terms

Bay Area Urology
50 So. San Mateo Drive #120
San Mateo, Ca 94401
tel: 650-348-7770 fax: 650-348-0166

Terminology

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Partin tables - A set of tables published by Alan Partin from Johns Hopkins that uses preoperative PSA, Gleason score, and clinical stage to predict the pathologic stage of prostate cancer from a radical prostatectomy specimen.

Pelvic lymph node dissection - Removal of the lymph nodes adjacent to the prostate.

Peripheral zone (PZ)- Outer area of prostate where over 80% of prostate cancers originate.

Peyronie’s disease - scar tissue build up inside the penis causing curvature, narrowing os shortening of an erect penis

Positive predictive value (PPV) - Proportion of true positive tests when a modality gives a positive test result.

Priapism - Prolonged and often painful penile erections not associated with sexual stimulation

Prostascint® - A monoclonal antibody imaging study used to detect prostate cancer cells throughout the soft tissues of the body.

Prostate cancer - Cancer involving the prostate gland; the cause of prostate cancer remains unknown

Prostate gland - A gland in the male which surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethra. The prostate contributes to the seminal fluid.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) - A protein that is specifically manufactured by prostatic epithelial cells. The level of PSA often correlates with the likelihood and extent of prostate cancer and the size of benign prostatic enlargement or BPH.

Prostate specific membrane antigen - An antigen present on the cell membrane of prostatic epithelial cells.

Prostatectomy -Removal of the protate.

Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) - A precancerous lesion of the prostate that often accompanies prostatic cancer.

Protein -Any of a group of complex organic compounds which contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Proteins are made of amino acids.

Pyeloplasty -Repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

* This information is not intended to substitute for a consultation with a urologist. It is offered to educate patients on the basis of urological conditions in order to get the most out of their office visits and consultations. Please see our web page disclaimer for addition information.