Cancer-Related Dictionary

Orchiectomy is a surgical procedure carried out to remove one or both testicles in males. This operation is typically utilized as a treatment method for testicular cancer or prostate cancer. The procedure can also be employed in cases of severe trauma to the testicles or as part of gender affirmation surgery.

Current ovarian reserve tests include hormonal markers and ultrasonographic markers.  **Hormonal markers:** are determined in the blood after a blood sample is taken. Suitable markers are FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), estradiol, inhibin-B, and antimullerian hormone (AMH).  The measurement of FSH levels at 2 or 3 days after the onset of full menstrual flow has been used as a marker of ovarian reserve since the 1980s, based on its association with reproductive outcome. Elevated FSH values are associated with but not always predictive of poor ovarian response and failure to conceive. Estradiol is the natural estrogen of the woman and is responsible for the expression of the female secondary sexual characteristics. It is produced by granulosa cells of the ovarian follicles. Estradiol levels are commonly assessed during the early follicular phase and high levels indicate normal functioning. Inhibin is a peptide hormone with 2 subunits (Alpha and Beta). Inhibin-B is produced by granulosa cells of ovarian follicles and its levels vary during the menstrual cycle. Concentrations of inhibin-B decrease with age and during premature ovarian failure. AMH is a proteohormone and is produced by granulosa cells of the follicles. AMH shows little cycle fluctuation and correlates negatively with the progression of follicle loss and with a woman's age: the higher the AMH, the higher the follicle count.  **Ultrasonographic markers:** include the antral follicle count (AFC) and the measurement of ovarian volume, both assessed through ultrasound of the ovaries. The AFC describes the number of antral follicles in the ovaries measuring between 2–10mm. The greatest advantage of ultrasonographic markers of ovarian reserve is their non-invasiveness. Both markers exhibit an age-related decline.