Glossary

Home Abstract What are the Lungs? What is Lung Cancer? Small-cell Cancer Non-small-cell Cancer Risk Factors At a Glance Bibliography/Acknowledgement

Here, I have complied the list of the medical terms used in the project and what they mean.
Source: NCICancer.gov WebSite

Biopsy:
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.

Bronchoscopy:
A procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.

chest wall:
The muscles, bones, and joints that make up the area of the body between the neck and the abdomen.

Chest x-ray:
An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.

Diagnosis:
The process of identifying a disease by the signs and symptoms.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy:
The removal of part of a lump, suspicious tissue, or fluid, using a thin needle. A pathologist views the tissue or fluid under a microscope to look for cancer cells. This procedure is also called a needle biopsy.

Laboratory tests:
Medical procedures that test samples of tissue, blood, urine, or other substances in the body. These tests help todiagnose disease, plan and check treatment, or monitor the disease over time.

Mucus:
A thick, slippery fluid made by the membranes that line certain organs of the body, e.g. the nose, mouth, throat.

Physical exam and history:
An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient's health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.

Pleura:
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.

Pleural Cavity:
The space enclosed by the pleura, which is a thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and lines the interior wall of the chest cavity.

Prognosis:
Chance of recovery

Sputum cytology:
A microscope is used to check for cancer cells in the sputum (mucus coughed up from the lungs).

Tissue:
A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.

Thoracentesis:
Removal of fluid from the Pleural Cavity (the space between the lungs and chest wall through a needle inserted between the ribs.

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