ESMO Patients Guide
GLOSSARY ACCELERATED SCHEDULE A higher dose of radiation is given at each treatment and there are fewer total treatments than in a conventional radiotherapy schedule. The total amount of radiation given is about the same in each schedule ADENOCARCINOMA The most common type of lung cancer; it develops from mucus-producing cells that line the airways ADRENAL GLANDS Glands in the body that produce hormones, such as adrenaline and steroids. They are located above the kidneys ADJUVANT (TREATMENT) Additional treatment given after the primary treatment to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back; usually refers to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy after surgery AFATINIB A type of targeted therapy called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which works by blocking signals within cancer cells and stopping the action of epidermal growth factor receptor, causing cancer cells to die. It is administered as a once daily tablet AIR LEAK When air escapes from the airways (bronchioles, alveoli) into the parts of the lung where air is not usually present ALECTINIB A type of targeted therapy called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which works by blocking a protein called anaplastic lymphoma kinase. It only works in cancer cells with an abnormal version of this protein. It is administered twice-daily as oral capsules ANAPLASTIC LYMPHOMA KINASE REARRANGEMENTS (ALK) Anaplastic lymphoma kinase is a cell surface protein. Rearrangement of the ALK gene is an abnormality found in some cancer cells, including NSCLC ALOPECIA Hair loss ALVEOLI Tiny air sacs within the lungs that allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to move between the lungs and bloodstream
ANOREXIA A lack or loss of appetite ANTIANGIOGENIC THERAPY A type of therapy that interferes in the growth and survival of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), which plays a critical role in the growth and spread of cancer ANTIBIOTIC A type of drug used to treat and prevent bacterial infections ARSENIC A naturally occurring substance that has been widely used in some industries (copper or lead smelting; agriculture/pesticides), but has been linked to cancer, including lung cancer ARTHRALGIA Pain in a joint(s) ASBESTOS A natural, fibrous material that was previously widely used as a building material. Its use is now banned throughout Europe as it is linked to lung diseases, including cancer ASTHENIA Abnormal feeling of weakness or lack of energy ATEZOLIZUMAB A type of immunotherapy that blocks a protein called PD-L1 on the surface of certain immune cells called T-cells; this activates the T-cells to find and kill cancer cells. It is administered through a drip into a vein in your arm or chest BEVACIZUMAB A type of targeted therapy used to treat some cancers, including advanced NSCLC. It is a monoclonal antibody that targets vascular endothelial growth factor and prevents the cancer cells from developing their own blood supply, thus helping to slow down tumour growth BIOPSY A medical procedure in which a small sample of cells or tissue is taken for examination under a microscope BLOOD VESSELS The structures (tubes) carrying blood through the tissues and organs of the body – they include veins, arteries and capillaries
ANAEMIA A condition characterised by the shortage of haemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body)
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