Glossary
Glossary of lung cancer terms
Mediastinum
Definition of mediastinum, the area in the chest between the lungs.
Definition of mediastinum, the area in the chest between the lungs.
Adjuvant Therapy
Medical definition of a form of cancer treatment
Medical definition of a form of cancer treatment
Advance Directives
Medical definition of advance directive, a document that outlines your health care choices should you be unable to make them yourself.
Medical definition of advance directive, a document that outlines your health care choices should you be unable to make them yourself.
Advanced Lung Cancer
Definition of advanced lung cancer, cancer that has spread.
Definition of advanced lung cancer, cancer that has spread.
Alopecia
Definition of alopecia, hair loss.
Definition of alopecia, hair loss.
Angiogenesis Inhibitor
Definition of a type of drug to treat cancer.
Definition of a type of drug to treat cancer.
Anorexia
Definition of anorexia, loss of appetite
Definition of anorexia, loss of appetite
Apoptosis
Medical definition of apoptosis, cell death.
Medical definition of apoptosis, cell death.
Anti-emetic
Medical definition of anti emetic, medications used to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting (emesis).
Medical definition of anti emetic, medications used to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting (emesis).
Asbestos
Definition of asbestos, a material that can cause lung cancer.
Definition of asbestos, a material that can cause lung cancer.
Atelectasis
Medical definition of atelectasis, collapse of a lung.
Medical definition of atelectasis, collapse of a lung.
Asymptomatic
Medical definition of asymptomatic, lacking symptoms
Medical definition of asymptomatic, lacking symptoms
Benign
Medical definition of benign, a term meaning not cancerous
Medical definition of benign, a term meaning not cancerous
Biological Therapy
Medical definition of biological therapy, treatment to improve the immune system.
Medical definition of biological therapy, treatment to improve the immune system.
Beta-carotene
Definition of beta-carotene, a vitamin found in certain foods.
Definition of beta-carotene, a vitamin found in certain foods.
Biopsy
Medical definition of biopsy, a sampling of tissue
Medical definition of biopsy, a sampling of tissue
Bronchus
Medical definition of bronchus, part of the respiratory system.
Medical definition of bronchus, part of the respiratory system.
Cancer Survivor
Definition of cancer survivor, someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Definition of cancer survivor, someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Cachexia
Medical definition of cachexia, a state of wasting seen with chronic diseases, such as cancer.
Medical definition of cachexia, a state of wasting seen with chronic diseases, such as cancer.
Carcinogen
Definition of carcinogen, something that causes cancer.
Definition of carcinogen, something that causes cancer.
Carcinoma In Situ
Definition of carcinoma in situ, cancer confined to the tissue it began in.
Definition of carcinoma in situ, cancer confined to the tissue it began in.
Chemoprevention
Medical definition of chemoprevention, the use of a substance to prevent, or prevent the recurrence of cancer.
Medical definition of chemoprevention, the use of a substance to prevent, or prevent the recurrence of cancer.
Clinical Trial
Definition of clinical trial, a study to evaluate new methods to treat disease.
Definition of clinical trial, a study to evaluate new methods to treat disease.
Cyanosis
Medical definition of cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin
Medical definition of cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin
Clubbing
Medical definition of clubbing, a deformity of the fingers.
Medical definition of clubbing, a deformity of the fingers.
Cytotoxic
Definition of cytotoxic, causing cell death.
Definition of cytotoxic, causing cell death.
Dyspnea
Definition of dyspnea, shortness of breath
Definition of dyspnea, shortness of breath
Dysphagia
Definition of dysphagia, difficulty swallowing.
Definition of dysphagia, difficulty swallowing.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)
Definition of EGFR, a receptor found on the surface of cells.
Definition of EGFR, a receptor found on the surface of cells.
Esophagitis
Definition of esophagitis, inflammation of the esophagus.
Definition of esophagitis, inflammation of the esophagus.
Hemoptysis
Medical definition of hemoptysis, coughing up blood.
Medical definition of hemoptysis, coughing up blood.
Flavonoids
Definition of flavonoids, a group of substances found in plant-based foods.
Definition of flavonoids, a group of substances found in plant-based foods.
Inoperable Lung Cancer
Definition of inoperable lung cancer, a lung cancer where surgery is not the most appropriate treatment option.
Definition of inoperable lung cancer, a lung cancer where surgery is not the most appropriate treatment option.
Lobectomy
Medical definition of a surgical treatment for lung cancer.
Medical definition of a surgical treatment for lung cancer.
Malignant
Medical definition of malignant, a term that means dangerous to health.
Medical definition of malignant, a term that means dangerous to health.
Metastasis
Medical definition of metastasis, a term referring to the spread of cancer.
Medical definition of metastasis, a term referring to the spread of cancer.
Mucositis
Definition of mucositis, inflammation of mucous membranes
Definition of mucositis, inflammation of mucous membranes
Neutropenia
Definition of neutropenia, a decrease in white blood cells.
Definition of neutropenia, a decrease in white blood cells.
Oncologist
Medical definition of oncologist, a physician that specializes in treating cancer.
Medical definition of oncologist, a physician that specializes in treating cancer.
Oat Cell Carcinoma
oat cell carcinoma, oat cell lung cancer,oat cell cancer
oat cell carcinoma, oat cell lung cancer,oat cell cancer
Oximetry
Medical definition of oximetry, a measurement of oxygen in the blood.
Medical definition of oximetry, a measurement of oxygen in the blood.
Palliative Therapy
Medical definition of palliative therapy, a form of cancer management.
Medical definition of palliative therapy, a form of cancer management.
Partial Response
Medical definition of a partial response to treatment.
Medical definition of a partial response to treatment.
Paraneoplastic Syndrome
Definition of paraneoplastic syndrome, a variety of symptoms due to the presence of a tumor in the body.
Definition of paraneoplastic syndrome, a variety of symptoms due to the presence of a tumor in the body.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Definition of peripheral neuropathy, a nerve-related health condition.
Definition of peripheral neuropathy, a nerve-related health condition.
Pleural Effusion
Medical definition of pleural effusion, fluid build-up in the lining of the lungs.
Medical definition of pleural effusion, fluid build-up in the lining of the lungs.
Pneumonectomy
Medical definition for removal of one of the lungs
Medical definition for removal of one of the lungs
Progressive Disease
Definition of a disease that is worsening.
Definition of a disease that is worsening.
Prognosis
Medical definition of prognosis, the likely outcome of a disease.
Medical definition of prognosis, the likely outcome of a disease.
Progression-Free Survival (PFS)
Definition of progression-free survival (PFS), a period of time during cancer treatment.
Definition of progression-free survival (PFS), a period of time during cancer treatment.
Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation (PCI)
Medical definition of a cancer therapy
Medical definition of a cancer therapy
Radiofrequency Ablation
Medical definition of radiofrequency ablation, a procedure used to treat cancer.
Medical definition of radiofrequency ablation, a procedure used to treat cancer.
Pulmonologist
Definition of pulmonologist, a physician who specialized in lung diseases.
Definition of pulmonologist, a physician who specialized in lung diseases.
Radiation Oncologist
Definition of Radiation Oncologist, a physician that specializes in using radiation therapy to treat cancer.
Definition of Radiation Oncologist, a physician that specializes in using radiation therapy to treat cancer.
Radon
Definition of radon, a gas that can cause lung cancer.
Definition of radon, a gas that can cause lung cancer.
Remission
Medical definition of remission, no detectable sign of cancer
Medical definition of remission, no detectable sign of cancer
Spirometry
Medical definition of spirometry, a test of lung function.
Medical definition of spirometry, a test of lung function.
Sputum Cytology
Definition of sputum cytology, a method of sampling sputum (mucous) for cancerous cells.
Definition of sputum cytology, a method of sampling sputum (mucous) for cancerous cells.
Stomatitis
Definition of stomatitis, inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth.
Definition of stomatitis, inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth.
Survival Rate
Medical definition of survival rate, the percent of people who survive a disease for a specific amount of time.
Medical definition of survival rate, the percent of people who survive a disease for a specific amount of time.
Surfactant
Medical definition of surfactant, a substance produced by the lungs that keeps them expanded.
Medical definition of surfactant, a substance produced by the lungs that keeps them expanded.
Wedge Resection
Definition of wedge resection, a type of lung cancer surgery.
Definition of wedge resection, a type of lung cancer surgery.
Tumor Markers
Definition of tumor markers, substances that may be elevated in the body when a tumor is present.
Definition of tumor markers, substances that may be elevated in the body when a tumor is present.
Uranium
Definition of uranium, a radioactive metal found in nature.
Definition of uranium, a radioactive metal found in nature.