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A Lung Cancer Glossary - A - C
A diagnosis of lung cancer - or even the possibility of it - can plunge someone into a world of unfamiliar words and terms for tests, conditions, medicines and treatments. Knowing the words that your health care provider is using can help you make good decisions about treatment options and choices. Below are definitions of many of the terms that you'll encounter when discussing lung cancer with your treatment providers.
adenocarcinoma (ADD-in-oh-kar-sin-OH-muh) - a type of small cell lung cancer
adjuvant therapy (ADD-joo-vent THAIR-uh-pee) - Treatment given after the main treatment to help cure a disease. For instance, chemotherapy given after surgery to kill off any remaining cancer cells is adjuvant therapy.
antiangiogenesis therapy (AN-tee-an-jee-oh-JEN-uh-sis THAIR-uh-pee) - a treatment that stops new blood vessels from forming in tumors, thereby limiting tumor growth.
asbestos (ess-BEST-iss) - a natural material made from a mineral. Asbestos was widely used for nearly a century. The tiny fibers of asbestos can become trapped in the lungs, causing lung cancer many decades later.
biological therapy (bye-uh-LAH-juh-kul THAIR-uh-pee) - Treatment to increase the body's immune response to cancer. Also called immunotherapy
biopsy (BY-ah-psee) - To remove cells or tissues from the body for testing and examination under a microscope.
bronchi (BRAHNK-eye) - The large airways that connect the windpipe to the lungs.
bronchial carcinoma (BRAHN-kee-yul kar-sin-OH-muh) - Cancer that grows in the bronchi - the large airways that connect the lungs to the windpipe.
bronchoscopy (brahn-KAH-skuh-pee) - Using a lighted tube to look inside the windpipe, the bronchi or the lungs. The tube is inserted through the patient's nose or throat and is often used to help doctors find cancerous sites.
CAT scan - Computerized axial tomography. Also called a CT scan. A set of detailed pictures taken from different angles of the inside of the body. The pictures are combined to provide a three-dimensional cross section that can help doctors pinpoint the location of a tumor.
cervical mediastinoscopy (SUR-vuh-kul MEE-dee-eh-stye-NAH-skuh-pee) - A surgical procedure that allows doctors to examine the center of the chest. It can help doctors determine the stage of lung cancer and determine if it has spread to the lymph nodes. The doctor inserts a special instrument through a small incision made in the neck in order to see the inside of the chest.
chemoprevention (KEE-moh-preh-VEN-shin) - Using drugs, vitamins and other means to try to prevent or slow the progress of cancer. It may be used to prevent the recurrence of cancer after treatment.
chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAIR-up-ee) - Using drugs to treat cancer.
chest X-ray - An X-ray of the inside of the chest is often the first step in diagnosing lung cancer and determining the location of a tumor or lesion.
clinical trial - A kind of research study where patients volunteer to test new ways of screening for, preventing, finding, or treating a disease. Clinical trials may provide the best chance of survival or treatment in cases of lung cancer that are not otherwise treatable, or offer options that are not available through traditional cancer treatments.
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