False negative: Term used to describe an incorrect
test result of a medical procedure or test that falsely shows the lack of a finding. For example, a mammogram may not show any breast
abnormality, yet breast cancer is present. The
mammogram result is a false negative. A false
negative result can occur for a variety of reasons, including operator error or
limitations of the test.
False positive: Term used to describe a test
result that wrongly or inaccurately shows the presence of a disease or other conditions
when none exist.
Fascia: A sheet or thin band of fibrous tissue
that covers muscles and various organs of the body.
Fat necrosis: The
death of fat cells, usually following injury. Fat necrosis is a benign (non-cancerous)
condition, but it can cause a breast lump, pulling of the skin, or skin changes that can
be confused with breast cancer.
Fenretinide: A
non-toxic drug related to Vitamin A. Researchers
are investigating whether fenretinide may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence in
pre-menopausal women.
Fibroadenoma: A type
of benign (non-cancerous) breast tumor composed of fibrous tissue and glandular tissue. On
clinical examination or breast self-examination, it usually feels like a firm, round,
smooth lump. These usually occur in young women.
Fibrocystic
change: A term that describes certain benign (non-cancerous) changes in the
breast; also called fibrocystic disease. Symptoms of this condition include cysts
(accumulated packets of fluid), fibrosis (formation of scar-like connective tissue),
lumpiness, areas of thickening, tenderness, or breast pain. Because these signs sometimes
mimic breast cancer, diagnostic mammography or microscopic examination of breast tissue
may be needed to show that there is no cancer.
Fibrosis: Formation of fibrous (scar-like) tissue.
This can occur anywhere in the body.
Filgrastim:
A drug used to treat neutropenic patients (those with a decreased white blood cell count). Brand name, Neupogen.
Fine needle aspiration:
Removal of tissue or fluid from a lump or a cyst with a thin needle and a syringe. (See also needle aspiration).
Flap:
Term used to describe the transfer of skin and soft tissue from one part of the body to
help reconstruct another part. In most instances the flap is attached to the body by its
blood supply. The place where the flap is taken from (harvested) is called the donor site.
The place on the body where the flap is transferred to is called the recipient site (for
example, the breast).
Flap donor sites: The location on the body that a
flap of tissue is taken from for breast reconstruction.
For example, in a TRAM flap procedure, tissue is taken from the abdomen and
transferred to the breast (the recipient site) to reconstruct the breast after a
mastectomy.
Follow-up care: After primary breast cancer
treatment, patients are usually monitored with mammograms and other tests.
Flow cytometry: A test of tumor tissue to see how
fast the tumor cells are reproducing and whether the tumor cells contain a normal or
abnormal amount of DNA. This test is used to help predict how aggressive a cancer is
likely to be. (See also ploidy, DNA, S-phase
fraction).
“Free”
flap: Term used to describe a breast reconstructive procedure that is completely
detached from its donor site and transferred to the recipient site by reattaching the
blood vessels of the flap (tissue) to vessels of the recipient site. For example, in a TRAM flap procedure, tissue is
taken from the abdomen (donor site) and transferred to the breast (recipient site) to
reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy. Also
called microvascular flap.
Frozen section:
Microscopic examination of a specimen of tissue that has been quick-frozen. This method
gives a quick diagnosis, sometimes while the surgeon is waiting to complete a procedure.
The diagnosis is confirmed in a few days by a more detailed study called a permanent
section. (See also permanent section).
Updated: August 2006
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