We’ve put together a glossary of common technical terms and phrases.
|
Term |
Definition |
|
Biomarker |
A biological substance or chemical that indicates the presence of a disease. |
|
Biopsy |
A tissue sample taken from a body organ and analyzed, usually under a microscope, to confirm disease diagnosis. |
|
Carcinoma |
A form of cancer that tends to spread. |
|
CIS |
Carcinoma in situ. Flat, superficial bladder tumors that tend to grow rapidly and recur. |
|
Clinical trial |
A scientific study of a drug or procedure in patients with a specific condition. Results from clinical trials are typically reviewed by medical experts and published in scientific journals. |
|
Cystoscopy |
Placement of a thin, flexible tube and camera inside the urine tube (urethra) and bladder. |
|
DNA |
Deoxyribonucleic acid. The molecule is a double helix made up of four bases: adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine. It carries the genetic ‘code’ for the body. |
|
Dysuria |
Painful ‘peeing’ (urination). |
|
Gene |
A section of DNA that controls the growth and function of body cells. |
|
HCP |
Healthcare professional. |
|
Hematuria |
Blood in the urine. |
|
Invasive bladder cancer |
Cancer that spreads from the bladder lining (urothelium) to deeper layers of the bladder wall. |
|
Macrohematuria |
Blood in the urine (visible). |
|
Microhematuria |
Blood in the urine (invisible). |
|
Molecular diagnostic test |
A test used to identify a disease based on genetic information. |
|
Monitoring |
Watching patients for disease worsening or disease return (recurrence). |
|
mRNA |
Messenger ribonucleic acid. This is similar to DNA. It uses the genetic ‘code’ to direct protein production inside the body. |
|
Negative predictive value |
Proportion of individuals with a negative test result who are correctly diagnosed. |
|
Positive predictive value |
Proportion of individuals with a positive test result who are correctly diagnosed. |
|
Prognosis |
Prediction of how a patient’s disease will progress. |
|
Recurrence |
The return of disease after medical treatment. |
|
RT-qPCR |
Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A method for multiplying DNA segments, ready for analysis, in a test tube. |
|
Sensitivity |
The ability of a test to accurately detect a disease. |
|
Specificity |
The ability of a test to exclude a disease if it is not actually present. |
|
Superficial bladder cancer |
Cancer affecting the bladder lining (urothelium) only. |
|
Tumor |
A mass of extra tissue caused by unusual cell division. |
|
Ureter |
The urine tube connecting the kidneys to the bladder. |
|
Urethra |
The urine tube connecting the bladder to the outside of the body. |
|
Urinary tract |
The entire urinary system (kidneys, ureter, bladder, urethra). |
|
Urine-sampling system |
A complete Cxbladder system to collect and store your urine sample ready for sending to a Pacific Edge laboratory. |
|
Urologist |
A specialist doctor who treats diseases of the urinary tract and related conditions. |
|
Urothelium |
The urine-proof lining along the inside of the urinary tract. |
|
Validation study |
A clinical trial that confirms the accuracy, reliability and efficiency of a test. |
Last Updated: 03 Apr 2025 12:02 pm
