Words to know: Lung cancer
- Adenocarcinoma
- The most common type of non-small cell lung cancer. It starts in cells that make mucus.
- Adjuvant therapy
- Treatment given after surgery to lower the chance the cancer comes back.
- Neoadjuvant therapy
- Treatment given before surgery to shrink the cancer.
- Perioperative therapy
- Treatment given both before and after surgery.
- Biomarker
- A gene change or protein in the tumor that can guide treatment choices.
- Driver mutation
- A gene change that helps a cancer grow. Some can be blocked with targeted medicine.
- Biopsy
- Removing a small piece of tissue to check for cancer under a microscope.
- Liquid biopsy
- A blood test that looks for bits of tumor DNA.
- Chemoradiation
- Chemotherapy and radiation given during the same period.
- Immunotherapy
- Treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer.
- Targeted therapy
- Medicine that blocks a specific gene change or protein in cancer cells.
- Lobectomy
- Surgery to remove one lobe (section) of a lung.
- Lymph nodes
- Small bean-shaped glands that are part of the immune system. Cancer can spread to them.
- Metastatic
- Cancer that has spread from where it started to other parts of the body.
- Maintenance therapy
- Ongoing treatment after the first phase to keep the cancer under control.
- Oncologist
- A doctor who treats cancer.
- Palliative care
- Care that eases symptoms and improves quality of life at any stage of illness.
- PD-L1
- A protein on some cancer cells. Its level helps predict how well immunotherapy may work.
- Pneumonitis
- Swelling and irritation of the lungs. It can be a side effect of radiation, immunotherapy, or some pills.
- Pulmonary
- Having to do with the lungs.
- SBRT
- Stereotactic body radiation therapy. Very precise, high-dose radiation given in a few sessions.
- Stage
- A way to describe how big the cancer is and how far it has spread.
- Tumor
- A lump or mass of abnormal cells.
- Clinical trial
- A research study that tests new treatments in people.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.