Prostate cancer-related abbreviations: What acronym would you add?

There are so many acronyms related to prostate cancer. When newly diagnosed these can be overwhelming and frustrating. As you become more familiar with the diagnosis, consult with the medical team, read reports, BAM! you start throwing around the acronyms like the best of them.

To help newbies, several of you suggested creating a glossary. Let's get it started. Here are the abbreviations most commonly used in the group:

Updated May 7, 2024

ADT = androgen deprivation therapy
AR = Androgen Receptor
ARSI = Androgen Receptor Signalling Inhibitor
AS = active surveillance
AUS = artificial urinary sphincter
BCR = Biochemical Recurrence - elevated PSA after treatment followed by undetectable test
BMD = bone mineral density
BMI = body mass index
BPH = benign prostatic hyperplasia or hypertrophy
BRACHY = brachytherapy
BRFS = Biochemical Recurrence Free Survival
BS = bone scan
BX = biopsy
Ca = cancer
CAT SCAN = computerized axial tomography; same as CT scan
CBC = complete blood count
CEA = carcinoembryonic antigen
CGA = chromogranin A
CHEMO = chemotherapy
CMP = Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
CRPC = Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer
CSS - Cancer-Specific Survival
CT SCAN = computerized tomography; also known as CAT scan or CT scan
DART = dynamic adaptive radiation therapy
DMFS = Distant Metastasis-Free Survival
DOM = doctor of oncological medicine
DRE = digital rectal examination
Dx = diagnosis
EBRT = external beam radiation therapy
ED = erectile dysfunction
FLA = focal laser ablation
GS = Gleason score
Gy = Gray, the unit of absorbed does of radiation
HDR = high dose rate; as in HDR brachytherapy
HIFU = high intensity focused ultrasound
HR = Hazard Ratio
HSPC = Castrate Sensitive Prostate Cancer
IGRT = image-guided radiation therapy
IMRT = intensity-modulated radiation therapy
IOTN = Immuno-Oncology Translation Network
LDR = low dose rate; as in LDR brachytherapy
LHRH = luteinizing hormone releasing hormone
M0 = No Distant Metastasis
M1 = Distant Metastasis
mCRPC - metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer
Mets = metastasis; cancer that has spread to other places in the body
mHSPC = Metastatic Castrate Sensitive Prostate Cancer
MO = medical oncologist
mpMRI = Multi-Parametric MRI
MRI = magnetic resonance imaging
Mx = metastasis
N0-N3 = status of cancer in the lymph nodes; subset of staging
NCCN = National Comprehensive Cancer Network
NCI = National Cancer Institute, USA
NIH = National Institutes of Health, USA
nmCRPC = nonmetastatic castration resistant prostate cancer
ONCO = oncologist
OS = Overall Survival
PBRT = proton beam radiation therapy
PC = prostate cancer
PCa = prostate cancer
PCP = Primary Care Physician
PET = Positron Emission Tomography
PI-RADS = prostate imaging-recording and data system; used in assessment and evaluation of MRI scans for risk of prostate cancer
PLND = Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection
PNI = Perineural Invasion
PSA = prostate specific antigen
PSADT = PSA Doubling Time
PSMA = prostate specific membrane antigen
PT = Physical Therapist
QOL = quality of life
RALP = robot-assisted laproscopic prostatectomy; similar to LRP but with “robotic” assistance
RCT = Randomized Clinical Trial
RO = radiation oncologist
RP = radical prostatectomy
RT = radiation therapy; also: right side
SBRT = stereotactic body radiation therapy
SE = side effects
SRT = Salvage Radiation Treatment 
SUV = Standardized uptake value.
Sx = symptom
TPUS =Transperineal Ultrasound biopsy
TRT = testosterone replacement therapy
TRUS = transrectal ultrasound
TURP or TUR/P = transurethral resection of the prostate
TX = treatment
US = ultrasound
UTI = urinary track infection
VMAT = Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy, a form of IMRT
WBC = white blood cell count

When you use or see an abbreviation in a discussion, please spell it out for others who may be new. If you don't know, ask.

What abbreviations or acronyms would like like me to add to the list?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Thanks for taking time to posts these. Been on both sides of this. First did not know what abbreviations were and had to asked then started using them to see other asked what they meant.

Great job Colleen

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Colleen,
Just thought of one I use a lot. PCP, Primary Care Physician.

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This is very helpful! Consider adding the acronyms below; not sure if I missed some in this series, but this will get you started.

CSPC - castration sensitive prostate cancer
mCSPC - metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer
CRPC - castration sensitive prostate cancer
mCRPC - metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer
nmCRPC - nonmetastatic castration resistant prostate cancer

Other acronyms to consider relate to abbreviations for doctors. Someone else already suggested PCP for primary care physician. I have also seen oncologist referred to as both ONCO and DOM (doctor of oncological medicine). Plus radiation oncologist is referred to as RO. There are more -- I'm still learning!

I agree with others that spelling out terms in this forum would be helpful. And always ask if your medical professionals use terms or acronyms you don't yet understand.

Thanks again for creating this list!

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@lisab2

This is very helpful! Consider adding the acronyms below; not sure if I missed some in this series, but this will get you started.

CSPC - castration sensitive prostate cancer
mCSPC - metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer
CRPC - castration sensitive prostate cancer
mCRPC - metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer
nmCRPC - nonmetastatic castration resistant prostate cancer

Other acronyms to consider relate to abbreviations for doctors. Someone else already suggested PCP for primary care physician. I have also seen oncologist referred to as both ONCO and DOM (doctor of oncological medicine). Plus radiation oncologist is referred to as RO. There are more -- I'm still learning!

I agree with others that spelling out terms in this forum would be helpful. And always ask if your medical professionals use terms or acronyms you don't yet understand.

Thanks again for creating this list!

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Oops -- fix my error please.
"CRPC - castration sensitive prostate cancer" should have been "castration resistant prostate cancer"

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I would add…

Gy = Gray, the unit of absorbed does of radiation
VMAT = Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy, a form of IMRT

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SUV: Standardized uptake value.

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LDR = low dose rate (as in LDR brachytherapy)

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RO: radiation oncologist

MO: medical oncologist

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PT: Physical Therapist
Ca: cancer
BCR: Biochemical Recurrence (elevated PSA after treatment followed by undetectable test)

As a retired MD, I know we use a LOT of cryptic ways to shorten our communication. E.g., using the first letter, followed by "x": Tx, Sx, Dx, Mx for treatment, symptom, diagnosis, metastasis

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