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 April 6, 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 (also 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
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
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 effect(s)

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.

A few others:

DMFS - Distant Metastasis-Free Survival
RCT - Randomized Clinical Trial
OS- Overall Survival
CSS - Cancer-Specific Survival
BRFS - Biochemical Recurrence Free Survival
HR - Hazard Ratio

NCCN - National Comprehensive Cancer Network

PSADT - PSA Doubling Time

mpMRI - Multi-Parametric MRI

AS - Active Surveillance

PLND - Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection

M0 - No Distant Metastasis
M1 - Distant Metastasis

AR - Androgen Receptor
ARSI - Androgen Receptor Signalling Inhibitor

PET - Positron Emission Tomography

CMP - Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

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PI-RAD 4 to Gleason 6 - do you copy?
PI-RAD 4 to Gleason 6 Come in Gleason 6
Over

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>PI-RAD 4 to Gleason 6 Come in Gleason 6<

Gleason 6 this is PI-Rad 4, we no longer exist........

Colleen, thank you for the abb. update.

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TPUS Refers to a Transperineal Ultrasound biopsy. This is much better (and safer) than a TRUS biopsy. A description of the procedure and its benefits are found here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/urology/news/ultrasound-guided-transperineal-prostate-biopsy/mac-20473283

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Just saying if there is a test, I will most likely fail. I am so encouraged by how many treatments available. Most times when I read of a med. I need to google what it is, lots of different names for what I feel is same class of treatment. This site is awesome and has been a blessing to me, I thank all who post here and offer likes and hugs to the comments. I'll try to keep up. Best to all

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PSO - Prescription Snake Oil

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CRPC - Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer
mCRPC - Metastatic Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer
nmCRPC - Non-metastatic Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer
HSPC - Castrate Sensitive Prostate Cancer
mHSPC - Metastatic Castrate Sensitive Prostate Cancer
nmHSPC - Non-metastatic Castrate Sensitive Prostate Cancer

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This is fantastic!! Thanks for taking the time to share this with everyone. Great job.

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Thanks @jc76 @lisab2 @dgd1953 @michaelcharles @brianjarvis @trusam1 @russ777 @leedawg @ziggypop @rockin2047 @stevecando54 @rick137 @velohomme @batsam10 for the additional abbreviations, the support and the humor!

The original post has been updated with your additions. (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prostate-cancer-related-abbreviations-what-acronym-would-you-add/)

Any editors among the group? Please review the updated list and let me know if there are any errors or duplicates. I'm going cross-eyed. 🙂

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@colleenyoung

Thanks @jc76 @lisab2 @dgd1953 @michaelcharles @brianjarvis @trusam1 @russ777 @leedawg @ziggypop @rockin2047 @stevecando54 @rick137 @velohomme @batsam10 for the additional abbreviations, the support and the humor!

The original post has been updated with your additions. (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prostate-cancer-related-abbreviations-what-acronym-would-you-add/)

Any editors among the group? Please review the updated list and let me know if there are any errors or duplicates. I'm going cross-eyed. 🙂

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An error I made: RCT should be Randomized Controlled Trial, not Randomized Clinical Trial.

I would think Side Effects should be abbreviated as SEs, not Ses.

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