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Glossary
Asbestos (as-BES-tus): A natural material that is made of tiny fibers. Asbestos can cause several serious diseases, including cancer.
Benign (beh-NINE): Not cancerous. Benign tumors may grow larger but do not spread to other parts of the body.
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 tests on the cells or tissue.
Brachytherapy (BRAY-kee-THAYR-uh-pee): A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor. Also called internal radiation, implant radiation, and interstitial radiation.
Bronchoscope (BRON-koh-SKOPE): A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi (air passages that lead to the lungs), and lungs. A bronchoscope has a light and a lens for viewing, and may have a tool to remove tissue.
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. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of diseases. The bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth. Bronchoscopy may be used to detect cancer or perform some treatment procedures.
Bronchus (BRON-kus): A large airway that leads from the trachea (windpipe) to a lung. The plural of bronchus is bronchi.
Chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee): Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
Cryotherapy (KRY-oh-THAYR-uh-pee): Any method that uses cold temperature to treat disease.
CT scan: Computed tomography 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. Also called computerized tomography and computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.
A,B,C | D,E,F | G,H,I | J,K,L | M,N,O | P,Q,R | S,T,U | V,W,XElectromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy: A medical technology that uses GPS-like navigation to enable physicians to reach lung lesions (spots) inside the lungs through natural airway access.
Fine-needle aspiration (as-per-AY-shun): The removal of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a microscope. Also called needle biopsy.
A,B,C | D,E,F | G,H,I | J,K,L | M,N,O | P,Q,R | S,T,U | V,W,XIncision (in-SIH-shun): A cut made into the body to perform surgery.
Infection: Invasion and multiplication of germs in the body. Infections can occur in any part of the body and can spread throughout the body. The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast or fungi. They can cause a fever and other problems, depending on where the infection occurs. When the body’s natural defense system is strong, it can often fight the germs and prevent infection. Some cancer treatments can weaken the natural defense system.
Invasive cancer (in-VAY-siv KAN-ser): Cancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding healthy tissues.
A,B,C | D,E,F | G,H,I | J,K,L | M,N,O | P,Q,R | S,T,U | V,W,XLobe: A section of an organ, such as the lung.
Lobectomy (loh-BEK-toh-mee): Surgery to remove a whole lobe (section) of an organ (such as a lung, liver, brain or thyroid gland).
Lung: One of a pair of organs in the chest that supplies the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide from the body.
Lymph node (limf node): A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels. Also called a lymph gland.
Lymph vessel (limf): A thin tube that carries lymph (lymphatic fluid) and white blood cells through the lymphatic system. Also call lymphatic vessel.
A,B,C | D,E,F | G,H,I | J,K,L | M,N,O | P,Q,R | S,T,U | V,W,XMalignant (muh-LIG-nunt): Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
Medical oncologist (MEH-dih-kul on-KAH-loh-jist): A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and biological therapy. A medical oncologist often is the main health care provider for someone who has cancer. A medical oncologist also gives supportive care and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists.
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 “metastasis”. The metastatic tumor contains cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The plural form of metastasis is metastases (meh-TAS-tuh-SEEZ).
Metastatic (meh-tuh-STA-tik): Having to do with metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.
MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (mag-NET-tik REZ-oh-nans IM-uh-jing): 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. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or x-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and NMRI.
Non-small cell lung cancer: A group of lung cancers that are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look under a microscope. The three main types of non-small cell lung cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common kind of lung cancer.
Occult stage non-small cell lung cancer (uh-KULT): Cancer cells are found in sputum (mucus coughed up from the lungs), but no tumor can be found in the lung by imaging or bronchoscopy, or the primary tumor is too small to be assessed.
A,B,C | D,E,F | G,H,I | J,K,L | M,N,O | P,Q,R | S,T,U | V,W,XPathologist (puh-THAH-loh-jist): A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
PET scan: Positron emission topography 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 of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body.
Photodynamic therapy (FOH-toh-dy-NA-mik THAYR-uh-pee): Treatment with drugs that become active when exposed to light. These drugs kill cancer cells.
Pleura (PLOOR-uh): A thin layer of tissue covering the lungs and lining the interior wall of the chest cavity. It protects and cushions the lungs. This tissue secretes a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant, allowing the lungs to move smoothly in the chest cavity while breathing.
Pneumonectomy (NOO-moh-NEK-toh-mee): An operation to remove an entire lung.
Pneumonia (noo-MONE-ya): An inflammatory infection that occurs in the lung.
Pulmonologist (PUL-muh-NAH-loh-jist): A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the lungs.
Radiation therapy (RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee): The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation, implant radiation, or brachytherapy). System radiation uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that circulates throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy.
A,B,C | D,E,F | G,H,I | J,K,L | M,N,O | P,Q,R | S,T,U | V,W,XSide effect: A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Some common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores.
Small cell lung cancer: An aggressive (fast-growing) cancer that forms in tissues of the lung and can spread to other parts of the boy. The cancer cells look small and oval-shaped when looked at under a microscope.
Spiral CT scan: A detailed picture of areas inside the body. The pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine that scans the body in a spiral path. Also called helical computed tomography.
Sputum (SPYOO-tum): Mucus and other matter brought up from the lungs by coughing.
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). The test checks for abnormal cells, such as lung cancer cells.
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 spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
Surgery (SER-juh-ree): A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. Also called an operation.
Thoracic surgeon (thoh-RAH-sik SER-jun): A surgeon who specializes in operating on organs inside the chest, including the heart and lungs.
Thoracic surgical oncologist (thoh-RAH-sik SER-jih-kul on-KAH-loh-jist): A surgeon who specializes in operating on tumors found inside the chest.
Thoracoscopy (THOR-uh-KOS-koh-pee): Examination of the inside of the chest, using a thoracoscope. A thoracoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.
Thoracotomy (THOR-uh-KAH-toh-mee): An operation to open the chest.
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 the windpipe.
Tuberculosis (too-BER-kyoo-LOH-sis): TB. A disease caused by a specific type of bacteria that spreads from one person to another through the air. Tuberculosis can affect many parts of the body, but most often affects the lungs. A person may not have symptoms of tuberculosis for years, but they may appear when the patient becomes ill with a serious condition like diabetes, AIDS, or cancer. Tuberculosis can usually be treated and cured with antibiotics.
Tumor (TOO-mer): An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Also called neoplasm.
A,B,C | D,E,F | G,H,I | J,K,L | M,N,O | P,Q,R | S,T,U | V,W,XWedge 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.
X-ray: A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays are used to treat cancer.
(Source – National Lung Cancer Institute, NIH publication)
