| DCIS: See ductal carcinoma in situ.
Deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA): A long
molecule that contains genetic information in all living cells.
Detection: Finding disease. Early detection means
that the disease is found at an early stage, before it has grown large or spread to other
sites. (Many forms of cancer can develop to an advanced stage without causing symptoms.
Because of this, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, for example, are very difficult to
detect). Women participate in early detection by performing monthly breast
self-examination and getting medical attention for lumps or abnormalities in the breast,
by having clinical breast exams by a health professional, and by having mammograms once
they reach 40 years of age. Mammography is the principal way to detect breast cancer
early. A mammogram can show a developing breast tumor before it can be felt by the woman
herself or even by a highly skilled health care professional.
Diagnosis:
Identifying a disease by its signs, symptoms, imaging procedures, and/or laboratory
findings. In general, the earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for
long-term survival.
Diagnostic mammography: An x-ray examination of the breast in a woman who either has a breast
complaint (for example, a breast lump found during self-exam or nipple discharge) or has had an
abnormality found during screening mammography. Diagnostic mammography is more involved
and time-consuming than screening mammography and is used to determine exact size and
location of breast abnormalities and to image the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes.
Typically, several additional views of the breast are imaged and interpreted during
diagnostic mammography. See also mammography.
Digital
mammography:
Digital mammography
uses essentially the same mammography system as conventional mammography, but the system
is equipped with a digital receptor and a computer instead of a film cassette. Digital
mammography provides many benefits over standard mammography equipment, including faster
image acquisition, shorter exam time, easier image storage, physician manipulation of
breast images for more accurate detection of breast cancer, and transmittal of images over
phone lines or a network for remote consultation with other physicians. Currently, only
one digital mammography system is FDA approved and is not yet widely available. Many physicians predict increased use of digital
mammography in the future.
Dimpling: A pucker or indentation of the skin; on
the breast, it may be a sign of cancer.
Diuretic: Drugs that help the body get rid of
excess water and salt.
Discharge
(nipple): Any fluid coming from the nipple. It
may be clear, milky, blood, tan, gray, or green. White, yellow, or green nipple discharges
are usually benign. Bloody, watery, red,
pink, brown, or black nipple discharge may indicate malignancy. Nipple discharge should be evaluated by a
physician.
Dissection: Surgery to divide, separate, or remove
tissues. (See also axillary dissection).
DNA: Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA
holds genetic information on cell growth, division, and function.
Docetaxel:
Brand name, Taxotere. Drug used to treat metastatic breast cancer in patients who have not
responded well to standard chemotherapy. Docetaxel inhibits the division of breast cancer
cells by acting on the cells’ internal skeleton.
Double tier scarring: Term used to describe a
standard scar that appears on the breast after TRAM flap breast reconstruction. See also TRAM flap.
Doubling time: The time it takes for a cell to
divide and double itself. The doubling time of breast cancer cells depends on many things,
such as the type of tumor, the resistance of the individual’s body, and the location
in which it tries to grow. A single cell needs 30 doublings to reach noticeable size (1
cm)—a billion cells. Cancers vary in doubling time from 8 to 600 days, averaging 100
to 120 days. Thus, a cancer may be present for many years before it can be felt. (See also cell).
Duct: A hollow passage for gland secretions. In
the breast, a passage through which milk passes from the lobule (which makes the milk) to
the nipple.
Duct ectasia: Widening
of the ducts of the breast, often related to breast inflammation called periductal
mastitis. Duct ectasia is a benign (not cancerous) condition. Symptoms of this condition
are nipple discharge, swelling, retraction of the nipple, or a lump that can be felt.
Ductal carcinoma in
situ (DCIS): Cancer cells that start in the milk passages (ducts) and have not
penetrated the duct walls into the surrounding tissue. This is a highly curable form of
breast cancer that is treated with surgery or surgery plus radiation therapy. Also called
intraductal carcinoma.
Ductogram: See
galactogram.
Dysplasia: A group of cells that are abnormal in
size, shape, appearance, and organization, but which are not yet cancerous.
Updated: August 2006
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