| cancer, lung | Cancer of the major organ of respiration the lung. Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form of cancer. Since the majority of lung cancer is diagnosed at a relatively late stage, only 10% of all lung cancer patients are ultimately cured. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due to tobacco smoke. Lung cancers are classified as either small cell or non-small cell cancers. Persistent cough and bloody sputum can be symptoms of lung cancer. Lung cancer can be diagnosed based on examination of sputum, or tissue examination with biopsy using bronchoscopy, needle through the chest wall, or surgical excision. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| metastatic cancer to the lung | The spread of cancerous tumours from a distant organ to the lung. Due to the lungs tremendous blood and lymphatic supply it is a frequent site for metastatic cancer. Cancers which commonly metastasize to the lung include osteosarcoma, breast cancer, neuroblastoma, Wilm's tumour and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. (27 Sep 1997) |
| metastatic lung cancer | The spread of cancerous tumours from a distant organ to the lung. Due to the lungs tremendous blood and lymphatic supply it is a frequent site for metastatic cancer. Cancers which commonly metastasize to the lung include osteosarcoma, breast cancer, neuroblastoma, Wilm's tumour and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. (27 Sep 1997) |
| secondary lung cancer | The spread of cancerous tumours from a distant organ to the lung. Due to the lungs tremendous blood and lymphatic supply it is a frequent site for metastatic cancer. Cancers which commonly metastasize to the lung include osteosarcoma, breast cancer, neuroblastoma, Wilm's tumour and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. (27 Sep 1997) |
| small cell lung cancer | A type of lung cancer in which the cells are small and round. Also called oat cell lung cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |
| nonsmall cell lung cancer | A general classification for squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| lung cancer | A cancerous growth in lung tissue. Lung cancer may be metastatic from another source (colon) or may be primary (tumour is of lung cell origin). Classification is based on the type of cell the lung cancer originates from (adenocarcinoma, alveolar cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell and small cell carcinomas). (27 Sep 1997) |
| air-conditioner lung | An extrinsic allergic alveolitis caused by forced air contaminated by thermophilic actinomycetes and other organisms. (05 Mar 2000) |
| airless lung | <radiology> Tumour, foreign body, mucous plug (12 Dec 1998) |
| anterior border of lung | The thin anteromedial or sternal edge of the lung which overlaps the pericardial sac anteriorly and forms the boundary between the mediastinal and costal surfaces. Synonym: margo anterior pulmonis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| apex of lung | The rounded, upper extremity of each lung that extends into the cupula of the pleura. Synonym: apex pulmonis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| apical interstitial lung disease | <radiology> A radiological diagnosis where fibrosis is seen in the apices (upper sections) of the lungs. Likely causes include: cystic fibrosis, ankylosing spondylitis, sarcoidosis, silicosis, eosinophlic granuloma, TB and fungus, particularly aspergillus infection. (25 Jun 1999) |
| asbestos lung disease | <radiology> Pleural plaques, earliest finding, may be only evidence, parietal pleura, 15-20 yrs after exposure, calcified after ca. 30 yrs, asbestosis, interstitial lung disease, perihilar regions to lung bases, shaggy heart, no cavitation or progressive massive fibrosis as in silicosis, crocidolite (blue) form most carcinogenic, associated with: malignant pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, GI-tract malignancy (12 Dec 1998) |
| azygos lobe of lung | A small accessory lobe sometimes found on the apex of the right lung; separated from the rest of the upper lobe by a deep groove lodging the azygos vein. Synonym: lobus azygos. (05 Mar 2000) |
| base of lung | The lower concave part of the lung that rests upon the convexity of the diaphragm. Synonym: basis pulmonis. (05 Mar 2000) |