GLOSSARY

ANESTHESIA: loss of feeling resulting from the administration of drugs or gasses.

BENIGN: not cancerous.

BIOPSY: removal of a sample of tissue to see if cancer cells are present.

CHEMOTHERAPY: treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells. Most often used to supplement surgery or radiation therapy.

LYMPH NODES: part of the lymph system that removes wastes from body tissue and carries the fluids that help the body fight infection. Lymph nodes in the underarm are those most likely to be invaded by cancer cells and, therefore, are removed during breast cancer surgery.

MALIGNANT: cancerous.

MASTECTOMY: surgical removal of the breast.

PECTORAL MUSCLES: muscles that overlay the chest wall and help support the breast.