Lung Cancer Glossary
ESSENTIAL CANCER TERMS
Tumour
A lump or abnormal growth of cells that forms when cells grow out of control. Tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Mutation
A mutation is a change or mistake in the DNA of a cell. Sometimes mutations can cause cells to grow abnormally and become cancerous. In lung cancer, the presence of certain mutations may help doctors decide the best treatment options.
Metastasis
When cancer cells move from where they initially developed (primary cancer) and begin to grow in other organs. If your cancer has metastasised, this means you have a late-stage cancer.
Staging
Staging is the process doctors use to find out how far the cancer has grown or spread in your body. It helps decide the best treatment and can give an idea about the outlook or prognosis.
Biomarker (driver mutations molecular marker, genotype, or signature molecule)
Special features in cancer cells, like changes in genes or proteins, which can help doctors predict your tumour’s response to particular treatments.
Biopsy
A procedure where doctors take a small sample of tissue from your body to examine under a microscope to diagnose if a cancer is present and determine its type.
Prognosis
The expected course and outcome of your disease, including the likelihood of recovery and long-term outlook.
LUNG CANCER TYPES
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
The most common type of lung cancer, representing approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases. It tends to grow and spread more slowly than small-cell lung cancer.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
A less common but more aggressive type of lung cancer that accounts for approximately 15% of cases. It grows and spreads quickly throughout the body.
Adenocarcinoma
The most common form of NSCLC. It often grows in the outer areas of the lungs and is more frequently found in people who have no smoking history.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A type of NSCLC that typically develops in the central chest area and is strongly linked to smoking history.
Large Cell Carcinoma
A less common, fast-growing type of NSCLC that can appear anywhere in the lung.
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES
CT Scan
A type of X-ray that shows detailed pictures of the inside of your body. A CT gives detailed images of the lung, lymph nodes, and surrounding structures.
PET-CT Scan
A scan that combines CT with positron emission tomography (PET) to see if the cancer has spread in the body (metastasis).
Bronchoscopy
A procedure that involves using a miniature camera to view inside the airways. It can be used to take tissue (biopsy) samples for testing.
EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound)
A procedure that allows for a biopsy of the lymph nodes next to the airways using ultrasound as guidance.
CT-guided Biopsy
A procedure where a radiologist uses a CT scanner to guide a needle into a lung mass to take a tissue (biopsy) sample.
Low-dose CT (LDCT)
A scan that uses a very low dose of radiation and takes less than a minute to help identify lung problems.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging – a scan that uses magnetic fields to create detailed pictures of organs and tissues, often used to check if cancer has spread to the brain.
X-Ray
Basic chest imaging
STAGING & ASSESSMENT
TNM Staging
A system that measures three things: T (tumour size), N (lymph nodes involvement), and M (metastasis or spread). This information is combined to assign an overall cancer stage.
Limited-Stage SCLC
Small cell lung cancer that is only in one lung and has not spread to the lymph nodes.
Extensive-Stage SCLC
Small cell lung cancer that has spread to tissue in the opposite lung or distant organs.
Locally Advanced
Cancer that has spread to nearby areas on the same organ but has not spread to distant parts of the body.
Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands found throughout the body. They help fight infections and filter harmful substances out of the blood. In lung cancer, doctors often check nearby lymph nodes to see if cancer has spread to them.
Nodule
A small spot or lump found on lung scans that may or may not be of concern and often requires monitoring depending on its size.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Surgery
A treatment option where doctors physically remove cancer from your body. This may involve removing part of your lung or, in some cases, the entire lung.
Chemotherapy
Treatment that uses drugs to damage the DNA of cancer cells, which can help prevent them from growing and can help kill cancer cells. These medications travel through your bloodstream.
Radiotherapy
Treatment that uses high energy X-rays to help kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA. When the DNA is damaged, cancer cells cannot function or grow properly.
Immunotherapy
Treatment that helps your immune system spot cancer cells and destroy them. It can even train the immune system to continue fighting cancer long after treatment ends.
Targeted Therapy
Treatment that uses drugs to target specific mutations in cancer cells, stopping them from growing and leading to their death.
Palliative Care
Treatment focused on easing symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, or fatigue. This type of care can be offered at any stage alongside other treatments.
SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Lobectomy
Surgery to remove a lobe (section) of your lung.
Pneumonectomy
Surgery to remove an entire lung.
Segmentectomy
Surgery to remove a segment (smaller section) of your lung.
Wedge Resection
Surgery to remove a small, wedge-shaped section of your lung.
ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
A technology that can tell us the sequence of DNA quickly. NGS can find changes in DNA, which can help doctors understand which mutation is causing cancer and how to treat it in the best way.
PD-L1
A protein found in high levels tumour tissue. PD-L1 levels help your doctor/medical team determine if immunotherapy is a treatment option for you.
Driver Mutations
Specific changes in cancer cells’ DNA that can cause the cancer to grow and spread. These can often be targeted with special ’targeted therapies’.
Histological Diagnosis
The examination of tissue samples under a microscope to determine the type of lung cancer (NSCLC, SCLC, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma).
TREATMENT CONCEPTS
Neoadjuvant Therapy
Treatment (like chemotherapy or immunotherapy) given before surgery to help shrink the tumour for better surgical outcomes.
Adjuvant Therapy
Treatment given after surgery to help kill any cancer cells that may not have been removed during surgery.
Cycles (Chemotherapy)
Periods of chemotherapy treatment are followed by breaks repeated on a regular schedule, to allow your body time to recover before fighting cancer cells again.
Curative Intent
Treatment given to remove the cancer completely and potentially cure.
Quality of Life
Your overall well-being and ability to enjoy life during and after cancer treatment.
Side Effects
Unwanted effects that can occur from cancer treatment, which your healthcare team will try to help you manage.
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT TERMS
Carcinogens
Substances or factors that can cause cancer by damaging cells’ DNA. Examples include tobacco smoke, asbestos, radon gas, and certain chemicals.
Clinical Trial
A research study that tests new treatments or procedures in people to see if they are safe and effective. Patients may choose to join trials to access cutting-edge treatments so long as they are eligible for a specific trial.
Immune-related Adverse Events (irAEs)
Immunotherapy side effects which can cause your immune system to attack healthy parts of your body, not just cancer cells.
Lung Health Check
A screening program that uses low-dose CT scans to check for lung problems in people at higher risk of lung cancer.
Lymphatic System
A network of vessels and glands throughout your body that helps fight infection and filters out harmful substances, including cancer cells.
Pathologist
A doctor who specialises in examining tissue samples under a microscope to diagnose diseases, including determining what type of cancer you have.
Rapid Access Lung Clinic
A specialised clinic designed to see patients suspected of having lung cancer quickly, usually within two weeks, to speed up diagnosis and treatment.
Targetable Mutations
Specific genetic changes in cancer cells that can be treated with special drugs designed to ‘target’ those exact changes, like a key fitting into a lock.
