Every field of study has its own unique jargon and shorthand. The cancer field is one of the most dense terminologies to learn, especially if you want to keep up on the latest research. Here are some of the most common terms and abbreviations to help you navigate the maze. I have separated the terms by type.
First group is general medical terms and lung cancer terms, listed alphabetically.
Second group is testing terminology, words you might see in your test results.
Third group is research study terminology, all those three-letter-acronyms that help figure out your likelihood of survival.
If you need a term not listed here, check one of the links at the bottom of this page. Chances are you'll find it on one of those lists.
Lung Cancer and General Medical Terms
ALK - Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase, a type of mutation that lets certain proteins reproduce out of control and cause cancer
Alveoli - The tiny sacs of lungs where the exchange of gases takes place
Atelectasis - A lung that doesn't fully expand
BID - take a med 2x per day (latin: bis in die)/TID take 3 times per day etc./qd take one per day
DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis, blood clot in the leg
Dx - Shorthand for diagnosis
EGFR - Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, a key target that controls growth and division of cancer cells; the most common treatable mutation in NSCLC
Genes - Instructions in cells for making and controlling the cells
Gene rearrangement - The fusion of one gene with another gene to create a new gene
Hilar Lymph Nodes - Groups of disease-fighting cells where the main airways
enter the lungs
Hx - History (usually medical history)
Lobectomy - Surgical removal of one section of a lung
Lymph - Clear fluid containing white blood cells
Lymph Node - Small groups of disease-fighting cells located throughout the body
Metastasis - spread of a tumor into another part of the body
N/V - nausea and vomiting
Hx - History (usually medical history)
Lobectomy - Surgical removal of one section of a lung
Lymph - Clear fluid containing white blood cells
Lymph Node - Small groups of disease-fighting cells located throughout the body
Metastasis - spread of a tumor into another part of the body
N/V - nausea and vomiting
NSCLC - Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (as opposed to Small Cell lung cancer, SCLC)
Oncologist - doctor who specializes in the treatment of people with cancer
Pericardial Effusion - Accumulation of fluid between the layers of the heart's lining
Pericardiocentesis - Drainage of the fluid in the lining of the heart, using a long needle
Pericardial Window - Surgical procedure to create a vent or "window" in the pericardium lining so excess fluid can drain out
Pneumonectomy - Removal of a whole lung
Pneumonitis - Inflammation or swelling of the air sacs around the lung
Pneumothorax - Collapsed lung
PO - Per Os (latin for "by mouth")
Pleural Effusion - fluid build-up in the lining around the lung
PRN - medication taken only as needed
Pulmonary Embolism - PE, Blood clot that has gone to the person's lungs; life threatening
QOL - Quality of Life
RBC - Red Blood Cells
Rx - A specific medication or treatment
Sepsis - Systemic infection of the body
Thoracentesis - Draining the pleura/area around the lungs of fluid via a needle put into it
Thoracic Surgeon - Surgeon who specializes in the surgery of the thoracic cavity (chest)
TKI - Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, cancer fighting targeted therapy that keeps the mutatated cells from producing proteins that promote cancer growth
Trachea - windpipe
Tx - Treatment
WBC - White Blood Cells
Testing Terminology
Biomarker Testing - Genetic testing, looking for certain mutations. Also called genomic testing, molecular testing, etc.
CT Scan - "Cat Scan" Computerized Tomagraphy; using x-rays to look at the body internally in "slices" to see more details than traditional x-rays
FISH - Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization, a method for detecting the number of copies of a gene in tumor cells, “positive” being higher than expected for a normal cell
Gy - Grey, units of radiation dosing in various tests
HCT - Hematocrit, or percentage of blood made up of red blood cells
IHC - immunohistochemistry, A method for detecting levels of specific proteins on tumor cells
PET Scan - Positron-Emission Tomography, a scan that measures metabolic activity and shows areas of active cancer
PRN - medication taken only as needed
Pulmonary Embolism - PE, Blood clot that has gone to the person's lungs; life threatening
QOL - Quality of Life
RBC - Red Blood Cells
Rx - A specific medication or treatment
Sepsis - Systemic infection of the body
Thoracentesis - Draining the pleura/area around the lungs of fluid via a needle put into it
Thoracic Surgeon - Surgeon who specializes in the surgery of the thoracic cavity (chest)
TKI - Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, cancer fighting targeted therapy that keeps the mutatated cells from producing proteins that promote cancer growth
Trachea - windpipe
Tx - Treatment
WBC - White Blood Cells
Testing Terminology
Biomarker Testing - Genetic testing, looking for certain mutations. Also called genomic testing, molecular testing, etc.
CT Scan - "Cat Scan" Computerized Tomagraphy; using x-rays to look at the body internally in "slices" to see more details than traditional x-rays
FISH - Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization, a method for detecting the number of copies of a gene in tumor cells, “positive” being higher than expected for a normal cell
Gy - Grey, units of radiation dosing in various tests
HCT - Hematocrit, or percentage of blood made up of red blood cells
IHC - immunohistochemistry, A method for detecting levels of specific proteins on tumor cells
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Another way to picture the inside of the body, especially good for brain imaging. Does not use x-rays
NED - No Evidence of Disease
NGS - Next Generation Sequencing (genomic/molecular profiling of tumors to look for new mutations)
SBRT - Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, using external source of radiation to destroy cancer
SD - Stable Disease
WBR - Whole Brain Radiation
Research Study Terminology
Clinical Trial - Research on a potential cancer treatment in several stages
CR - Complete Response, where the patient's cancer responds fully to treatment
DoR - Duration of Response, time from documentation of response of tumor to treatment until progression occurs again
ORR - Objective Response Rate, proportion of patients who experience a pre-defined reduction in tumor burden
OS - Overall Survival, time from randomization on a study until death from any cause
Partial Response - Where treatment destroys part but not all of the cancer
p value -Probability that something would occur during research by chance alone; something is considered “statistically significant” if the “p-value” is less than 0.05, or a less than 5% chance of the event occurring by chance.
PFS - Progression Free Survival - Time from randomization until cancer progression or death
PR - Partial Response - cancer is reduced by at least 50% but not completely gone
Response Rate - What percentage of participants respond favorably to a drug
Time to Progression (TTP) - Time from randomization until the cancer progresses (no deaths)
Online Glossaries - Links
Research Study Terminology
Clinical Trial - Research on a potential cancer treatment in several stages
- Phase 1 - to determine how safe it is
- Phase 2 - to determine the best dosage
- Phase 3 - to determine how effective it is compared to other treatments
CR - Complete Response, where the patient's cancer responds fully to treatment
DoR - Duration of Response, time from documentation of response of tumor to treatment until progression occurs again
ORR - Objective Response Rate, proportion of patients who experience a pre-defined reduction in tumor burden
OS - Overall Survival, time from randomization on a study until death from any cause
Partial Response - Where treatment destroys part but not all of the cancer
p value -Probability that something would occur during research by chance alone; something is considered “statistically significant” if the “p-value” is less than 0.05, or a less than 5% chance of the event occurring by chance.
PFS - Progression Free Survival - Time from randomization until cancer progression or death
PR - Partial Response - cancer is reduced by at least 50% but not completely gone
Sensitivity - How well a test detects a specific disease or condition in people who actually have that disease or condition
Specificity - How correctly a test rules out the lack of a specific disease among a group of people who do not have the disease
Time to Progression (TTP) - Time from randomization until the cancer progresses (no deaths)
Online Glossaries - Links
- Grace Glossary
- National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms (searchable)
- Wikipedia entry on medication prescription terminology
- Clinical Trial Endpoint Definitions
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