Lung Cancer: Glossary
Key points
- Biopsy: The removal of a small amount of tissue from the body for study under a microscope.
- Carcinogen: A substance that causes the development of cancer.
- Diaphragm: The muscular tissue that separates the chest and the abdominal cavities, which aids breathing by moving up and down.
- Metastasis: Spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.
Here are definitions of medical terms related to lung cancer:
Biopsy: The removal of a small amount of tissue from the body for study under a microscope.
Carcinogen: A substance that causes the development of cancer.
Diaphragm: The muscular tissue that separates the chest and the abdominal cavities, which aids breathing by moving up and down.
Malignant: Cancerous; a growth that tends to spread to surrounding tissues or organs
Metastasis: Spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.
Non-small-cell lung cancer: This is the more common type, accounting for about 80% of lung cancers. This type grows and spreads more slowly than small-cell lung cancer.
Small-cell lung cancer: Cancer developing from the smaller cells in the lung; this is a less common type of lung cancer. This type grows more quickly and has a greater chance of spreading to other parts of the body than non-small-cell lung cancer.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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