A thin, tube-like instrument used to remove
tissue from inside the body. A
resectoscope has a light and
lens for viewing. It also has a tool to remove tissue using an electrical current. It is inserted through the
urethra to treat
prostate disease in men and through the
vagina and
cervix to treat
abnormal uterine bleeding in women.
abnormal (ab-NOR-mul)
Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancer, premalignant (likely to become cancer), or benign (not cancer).
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)cervix (SER-vix)
The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)lens (lenz)
A clear disk that focuses light, as in a camera or microscope. In the eye, the lens is a clear, curved structure at the front of the eye behind the pupil. It focuses light rays that enter the eye through the pupil, making an image on the retina (light-sensitive layers of nerve tissue at the back of the eye).
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)prostate (PROS-tayt)
A gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate surrounds the part of the urethra (the tube that empties the bladder) just below the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of the semen.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)resectoscope (ree-SEK-toh-skope)
A thin, tube-like instrument used to remove tissue from inside the body. A resectoscope has a light and lens for viewing. It also has a tool to remove tissue using an electrical current. It is inserted through the urethra to treat prostate disease in men and through the vagina and cervix to treat abnormal uterine bleeding in women.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)tissue (TIH-shoo)
A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)urethra (yoo-REE-thruh)
The tube through which urine leaves the body. It empties urine from the bladder.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)vagina (vuh-JY-nuh)
The muscular canal that goes from the uterus to the outside of the body. During birth, the baby passes through the vagina. Also called birth canal.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
