Lung Cancer GLOSSARY

Adenocarcinoma:

A form of cancer that involves cells from the lining of the walls of many different organs of the body.

Adjuvant therapy:

The use of chemotherapy, radiation, and/or other therapy following the primary therapy.

Air pollution:

Air pollution can contain trace amounts of diesel exhaust, coal products, and other industrial substances.

Alveoli:

Tiny airways, at the end of the bronchioles, running from the bronchi into the lobes of the lung.

Anemia:

A condition where the red blood cell count is below normal. Anemia may cause fatigue.

Antiemetics:

Drugs that prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting.

Asbestos:

Tiny, hair-like fibers found in some types of rock. Asbestos is a natural mineral that is fireproof and insulating and was used in building construction materials. It can still be found in older buildings. It is also used in some manufacturing processes. When asbestos is inhaled, the fibers can irritate the lung and may eventually cause lung disease. People who smoke and are exposed to asbestos have a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Fortunately, professional protective breathing equipment can reduce the risk of breathing in asbestos fibers for those who work with asbestos.

Aspiration:

Removal of fluid from a lump, often a cyst, with a needle and a syringe.

Atelectasis:

Collapse of a lung.

Azotemia:

Toxic levels of nitrogen compounds in the blood due to kidney dysfunction.

Benign:

Not cancerous. A benign tumor does not invade nearby tissue nor spread to other parts of the body.

Biopsy:

Removal of a lung tissue sample for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. Biopsy samples are obtained in different ways, depending on the location of the tumor.

• Through a bronchoscopy (lighted, flexible tube)
• By inserting a needle through the chest into the lung and remove part of the tissue for testing
• By removal and examination of an enlarged lymph node in the neck
• By a small surgery on the lung

Brachytherapy:

Radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters, and placed directly into or near the tumor. Also called internal radiation or implant therapy.

Bronchi:

Large airway that runs from the trachea to the lung (singular: bronchus).

Bronchioles:

The smaller air passages leading from the bronchi into the lobes of the lung.

Bronchorrhea:

An excessive discharge of mucus from the air passages of the lungs.

Bronchoscopy:

Viewing of the lungs through a lighted, flexible tube (bronchoscope) that is passed through the nose and throat into the main airway of the lungs. The tube, which has a light on the end, allows the doctor to see inside of the lung. If abnormal areas or tumors are seen, cell tissue can be obtained through special tools located at the end of the bronchoscope for evaluation under a microscope.

Bronchus:

A large airway that runs from the trachea to the lung. (plural: bronchi).

Cancer:

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system (bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes) to other parts of the body.

Carcinoma:

Cancer arising from the epithelial cells that cover or line internal and external body surfaces. Usually assumed to be the indicator of invasive cancer.

Chemoprevention agents:

Substances including retinoids, selenium, and other agents that could potentially repair genetic damage before cancer develops.

Chemotherapy:

Treatment that involves administering medicines that kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, which means it flows through the bloodstream reaching every part of the body.

Chest examination:

Examining the chest and listening to the lungs with a stethoscope provides information about abnormal breathing sounds or patterns.

Chest X-ray:

X-rays are "flat" pictures of the lungs, which help to identify abnormal growths. X-rays use radiation that passes through the body and collects on a film. The variation in the resulting picture depends on the variable density of the tissues that the radiation is passing through. Note: In recent years, studies have been conducted to evaluate the use of chest x-rays and sputum cytology in detecting lung cancer. It has been concluded that these methods were not effective in detecting early stage lung cancer.

Clinical trials:

Studies designed to find better prevention, diagnostic, screening, or treatment methods for specific types of diseases. Because clinical trials are research studies, they are designed to answer a specific question. Clinical trials are the main method by which medical science advances.

Complementary medicine:

A branch of medicine that complements standard cancer treatments. Complementary medicine is sometimes referred to as integrative medicine.

Complete remission:

When cancer cannot be detected in the body.

Consolidation therapy:

Treatment given after induction therapy in an attempt to consolidate and prolong remission.

Cross-resistance:

A situation in which cells or microorganisms resistant to one drug will become resistant to all other chemically related treatments.

Computed tomography scan (CAT or CT scan):

Computed tomography, also known as CT or CAT scan, is a sophisticated instrument that uses a computer to create a two-dimensional scan from a series of X-ray images. The newest version of the CT is called a helical or spiral scan. CT scans show much more detail than x-rays and the new helical or spiral scans are even more sensitive than regular CT scans.

Doubling time:

The amount of time required for a cancer cell population to double in size.

Dyspnea:

Difficulty in breathing.

Environmental factors:

Any factor or influence that is outside of your body, e.g., cigarette smoke, industrial gases, pollution, or foods.

Five-year survival rate:

The number of patients who are alive five years after a diagnosis of cancer. Five-year survival rates include all people who are alive, regardless of whether or not they are undergoing treatment for their disease.

Genetics:

Pertaining a person's genes. Genes are components of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is found in every cell in the body. Errors to genes, which can occur through aging, cell division, or as an effect from chemicals or radiation, can cause cancer.

Hemoptysis:

The coughing up of blood from the respiratory tract.

Hormone therapy:

Treatment of cancer by removing, blocking, or adding hormones. Also called endocrine therapy.

Hyperthermia:

A type of treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures to damage and kill cancer cells, or to make cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation and certain anticancer drugs.

Industrial substances:

Industrial substances can include arsenic, uranium, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, and diesel exhaust.

Immunotherapy:

Treatment used to stimulate or restore the ability of the person's immune system to fight infection and disease, or to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also called biological therapy or biological response modifier therapy.