Early Breast Cancer
Cancer that is contained in the breast or has only spread to lymph nodes in the underarm area. This term often describes stage I and stage II breast cancer.
Edema
Build-up of fluid in body tissues that causes swelling.
Endocrine Manipulation (see Hormone Therapy in H)
Enzymes
Proteins that start, help, or speed up the rate of chemical reactions in cells.
Estradiol
A form of the hormone estrogen.
Estrogen
A type of hormone made by the body that helps develop and maintain female sex characteristics and the growth of long bones. Estrogens can also be made in the laboratory. They may be used as a type of birth control and to treat symptoms of menopause, menstrual disorders, osteoporosis, and other conditions.
Estrogen Receptor
A protein found inside the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The hormone estrogen will bind to the receptors inside the cells and may cause the cells to grow. Also called ER.
Etiology
The cause(s) of a disease.
Excisional Biopsy
Surgical procedure that removes the entire abnormal area (plus some surrounding normal tissue) from the breast.
External Beam Radiation Therapy (see Radiation Therapy in R)