Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer terms

1. abnormality (ab-nohr-MAL-uh-tee): A growth or area of tissue that is not normal. An abnormality may be cancer or likely to become cancer.
2. adenocarcinoma (A-den-oh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh) Cancer that begins in cells that line certain internal organs and that have gland-like (secretory) properties.
3. adjuvant therapy (A-joo-vant THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment given after the primary treatment to increase the chances of a cure.
4. alcohol (AL-kuh-hol) A chemical substance found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is also found in some medicines, mouthwashes, essential oils (scented liquid…
5. antiangiogenesis therapy (AN-tee-an-jee-oh-JEN-uh-sis THAIR-uh-pee): Using drugs or other treatments to stop new blood vessels from forming in tumors to try to limit tumor growth.
6. antibodies (AN-tee-BAH-deez): Proteins in the body made by the immune system that fight infection and disease.
7. arsenic A poisonous chemical used to kill weeds and pests. Also used in cancer therapy.
8. asbestos A toxic material that was once used in housing insulation and fireproofing. Because some forms of asbestos have been linked to certain lung diseases, it…
9. beta carotene (BAY-tuh KAYR-uh-teen) A substance found in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables and in dark green, leafy vegetables.
10. biological therapy (BY-oh-LAH-jih-kul THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment to boost or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, infections, and other diseases.
11. biopsy (BY-op-see) The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other…
12. bladder (BLA-der) The organ that stores urine.
13. breast cancer (brest KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk).
14. bronchi (BRONG-ky) The large air passages that lead from the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs.
15. bronchial carcinoma (BRAHN-kee-yul kar-sin-OH-muh): Cancer that grows in the bronchi, which are the large airways connecting the windpipe to the lungs.
16. bronchoalveolar carcinoma (BRAHN-koh-al-vee-OH-lur kar-sin-OH-muh): Bronchoalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is a subtype of lung cancer.
17. bronchoscopy (bron-KOS-koh-pee) A procedure that uses a bronchoscope to examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi (air passages that lead to the lungs), and lungs.
18. cancer registry A state agency that collects information about cancer cases.
19. carcinogen (kar-SIN-o-jin) Any substance that causes cancer.
20. carotenoids (kuh-RAH-tuh-noydz): Pigments made by plants that are commonly found in orange fruits and vegetables and some dark, green vegetables.
21. CAT scan A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles. The pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
22. cervical mediastinoscopy (SUR-vuh-kul MEE-dee-eh-stye-NAH-skuh-pee): A surgical procedure to examine the central area of the chest, called the mediastinum.
23. chemoprevention (KEE-mo-pre-VEN-shun) The use of drugs, vitamins, or other agents to try to reduce the risk of, or delay the development or recurrence of, cancer.
24. Chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
25. chest X-ray An x-ray of the structures inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of high-energy radiation that can go through the body and onto film, making pictures of…
26. cholesterol (kuh-LESS-tuh-rawl) A waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver, and found in the blood and in all cells of the body.
27. chromium (KROH-mee-yum): A kind of metal that comes in different forms and is found in rocks and soil. Some forms are also produced during industrial processes.
28. clinical trial A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people.
29. colon cancer (KOH-lun KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon (the longest part of the large intestine).
30. dysphagia Difficulty swallowing.
31. dyspnea Difficult, painful breathing or shortness of breath.
32. EGFR inhibitors Stands for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Epidermal growth factor is a protein in the body that stimulates some cells, including some cancer…
33. emphysema Pulmonary emphysema is a disorder affecting the alveoli (tiny air sacs) of the lungs.
34. esophagus (ee-SAH-fuh-gus) The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.
35. Evidence (EV-uh-dins): Information that is collected in an orderly way about a disease or its treatment. This information often comes from research.
36. extensive stage SCLC Stands for small cell lung cancer. SCLC is usually staged as either "limited" or "extensive.
37. first line therapy (... THAYR-uh-pee) The first treatment for a disease or condition. In patients with cancer, first-line therapy can be surgery, chemotherapy, radiation…
38. Gene The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a…
39. gene therapy (jeen THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that alters a gene. In studies of gene therapy for cancer, researchers are trying to improve the body's natural ability to…
40. hilar (HY-ler) Refers to the area where nerves and blood vessels attach to an organ.
41. immune system (ih-MYOON SIS-tem) The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.
42. inherited (in-HAYR-it-ed) Transmitted through genes that have been passed from parents to their offspring (children).
43. kidney (KID-nee) One of a pair of organs in the abdomen. Kidneys remove waste from the blood (as urine), produce erythropoietin (a substance that stimulates red…
44. large cell cancer A type of non-small cell lung cancer where the cancer cells are large and abnormal.
45. larynx (LAYR-inks) The area of the throat containing the vocal cords and used for breathing, swallowing, and talking. Also called voice box.
46. limited stage SCLC SCLC stands for small cell lung cancer. SCLC is usually staged as either "limited" or "extensive.
47. lobe A portion of an organ, such as the liver, lung, breast, thyroid, or brain.
48. lobectomy (loh-BEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove a whole lobe (section) of an organ (such as the lungs, liver, brain, or thyroid gland).
49. low-dose CAT scan A CAT scan that uses smaller amounts of X-rays than a regular CAT scan.
50. Lymph nodes (LIMF nohdz): Small glands that help the body fight infection and disease. They filter a fluid called lymph and contain white blood cells.
51. mediastinum (mee-dee-a-STYE-num) The area between the lungs. The organs in this area include the heart and its large blood vessels, the trachea, the esophagus, the…
52. mesothelioma (meh-zuh-thee-lee-OH-muh) A benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen.
53. metastasis (meh-TAS-tuh-sis) The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. A tumor formed by cells that have spread is called a "metastatic tumor" or a…
54. MRI A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
55. neoadjuvant therapy (NEE-oh-A-joo-vant THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment given before the primary treatment. Examples of neoadjuvant therapy include chemotherapy, radiation therapy…
56. neutropenia (noo-troh-PEE-nee-uh) An abnormal decrease in the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell.
57. Nickel (NIK-ul): A kind of metal found in soil and often used in alloys and in industry.
58. oat cell Another name for small cell lung cancer. The name "oat cell" comes from the fact that the cells look like oats. See also extensive SCLC and limited SCLC.
59. oncologist (on-KAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment.
60. pancreas A glandular organ located in the abdomen. It makes pancreatic juices, which contain enzymes that aid in digestion, and it produces several hormones…
61. peripheral neuropathy (peh-RIH-feh-rul noo-ROP-uh-thee) A nerve problem that causes pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, or muscle weakness in different parts of the body.
62. PET scan A procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures…
63. phlegm (flem): Thick mucus from the airways of the body.
64. pleura (PLOOR-uh) A thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and lines the interior wall of the chest cavity. It protects and cushions the lungs.
65. pleural effusion An abnormal collection of fluid between the thin layers of tissue (pleura) lining the lung and the wall of the chest cavity.
66. pneumonectomy (NOO-moh-NEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove all of one lung. In a partial pneumonectomy, one or more lobes of a lung are removed.
67. primary cancer The first or original cancer.
68. prognosis The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.
69. prostate cancer (PROS-tayt KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the…
70. pulmonologist (PUL-muh-NAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the lungs.
71. quartile (KWOR-tyl): A term used in medical statistics to mean a group containing one-quarter or 25 percent of the total.
72. Radiation (RAY-dee-AY-shun) Energy released in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves.
73. Radiation Oncologist (RAY-dee-AY-shun on-KAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.
74. Radon A toxic gas found in the soil beneath a house that can contribute to cancer and other illnesses.
75. recurrence (ree-KER-ents) Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected.
76. resection (ree-SEK-shun) A procedure that uses surgery to remove tissue or part or all of an organ.
77. selenium (suh-LEE-nee-um) A mineral that is needed by the body to stay healthy. It is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer.
78. silica (SILL-uh-kuh): A substance found in rocks, sand, and quartz as well as some workplaces.
79. small cell lung cancer An aggressive (fast-growing) cancer that forms in tissues of the lung and can spread to other parts of the body.
80. sputum (SPYOO-tum) Mucus and other matter brought up from the lungs by coughing.
81. sputum cytology (SPYOO-tum sy-TAH-loh-jee) Examination under a microscope of cells found in sputum (mucus and other matter brought up from the lungs by coughing).
82. squamous cell carcinoma (SKWAY-mus sel KAR-sih-NOH-muh) Cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales.
83. Stage The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has…
84. thoracic surgeon (thoh-RAH-sik SER-jun) A surgeon who specializes in operating on organs inside the chest, including the heart and lungs.
85. TNM A system for describing stages of cancer. T describes the size of the tumor and whether it has grown into nearby tissues.
86. toxicity (tok-SIH-sih-tee) The extent to which something is poisonous or harmful.
87. trachea (TRAY-kee-uh) The airway that leads from the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi (large airways that lead to the lungs). Also called windpipe.
88. vaccine A substance or group of substances meant to cause the immune system to respond to a tumor or to microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses.
89. VATS Stands for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A surgical procedure performed inside the chest with the help of a camera on a tube.
90. vitamin C (VY-tuh-min…) A key nutrient that the body needs to fight infection, heal wounds, and keep tissues healthy, including the blood vessels…
91. vitamin E A substance used in cancer prevention. It belongs to the family of drugs called tocopherols.
92. wedge resection A surgical procedure to remove a triangle-shaped slice of tissue. It may be used to remove a tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it.