• Lymphadenopathy
Enlarged lymph node. Lymph nodes are part of the immune system and often act as filters. When a report mentions lymphadenopathy, it may be due to inflammation, infection, or tumor involvement. The clinical context and other studies help interpret its meaning.

 

• ADCs (Antibody-Drug Conjugates / Antibody-drug conjugates)
Medications that combine an antibody that recognizes a tumor cell with a chemotherapy drug attached to it. They work like a “guided missile”: they deliver chemotherapy directly to the cancer cell in an attempt to cause less damage to healthy cells.

 

• Molecular analysis
Study of the tumor’s DNA or RNA to look for mutations, fusions, or other alterations that may guide specific treatments.

 

• Pathology
Medical specialty that studies tissues under the microscope. It allows confirmation of whether a lesion is cancer, what type it is, and what characteristics it has.

 

• Angiogenesis
Formation of new blood vessels. Tumors often stimulate this process to feed themselves.

 

• Baseline (baseline study)
First study performed before starting treatment. It serves as a comparison point to evaluate later changes.

 

• Biopsy
Removal of a tissue sample to analyze it under the microscope. It can be done with a needle, by bronchoscopy, through surgery, or image-guided. It is key to confirming the diagnosis and determining the tumor type.

 

• Liquid biopsy
Analysis of a blood sample to detect fragments of tumor DNA. It may complement or, in some cases, replace a traditional biopsy.

 

• Bronchoscopy
Procedure that introduces a thin tube through the airway to observe the bronchi and take samples.

 

• Tumor mutational burden (TMB)
Number of mutations present in the tumor’s DNA. It is sometimes associated with a higher likelihood of response to immunotherapy.

 

• CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen)
Tumor marker measured in blood. It can help monitor evolution, although not all cancers elevate it.

 

• Non-small cell (non-small cell lung cancer)
Group that includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other subtypes. It is the most common type of lung cancer.

 

• Small cell (small cell lung cancer)

Type of lung cancer different from non-small cell. Its cells have distinct characteristics and tend to multiply more quickly, so they are generally treated with regimens that combine chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and in some cases immunotherapy. The treatment approach is well established and is adapted according to stage and each person’s situation.

 

• Surgery
Procedure to remove a tumor or part of an organ. It is indicated in certain stages or specific situations.

 

• Pulmonary consolidation
Area of the lung where air has been replaced by fluid, cells, or tissue. It may be seen in infections, inflammation, or tumor.

 

• Contrast
Substance administered (intravenously or orally) during some studies to highlight structures and facilitate interpretation.

 

• Follow-up (follow-up study)
Study performed after starting treatment to evaluate response, stability, or progression.

 

• Palliative care
Care aimed at relieving symptoms, improving well-being, and providing emotional support. It does not mean end of treatment and can be given alongside active therapies.

 

• Pleural effusion
Accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall.

 

• Diagnosis
Process by which a disease is identified.

 

• Spread
Propagation of cancer from the original site to other locations.

 

• Adverse effects
Changes or discomfort that appear as a consequence of treatment. They are not desired, but many are expected and manageable. They can range from mild to more intense and do not necessarily mean the treatment is causing harm.

 

• Stable disease
Situation in which the tumor neither grows nor shrinks significantly.

 

• Clinical trial
Research study that evaluates new treatments or new combinations.

 

• Stage
Degree of cancer spread in the body. It describes where the tumor is, whether lymph nodes are involved, and whether there are metastases. It helps choose treatments and understand the extent of the disease.

 

• Fibrosis
Formation of scar tissue.

 

• Gene fusion
Abnormal joining of parts of two genes that can drive tumor growth and serve as a therapeutic target.

 

• Tumor grade
Describes how different tumor cells are compared to normal cells. It gives an idea of how aggressive the tumor may be.

 

• Histology
Specific type of tissue that makes up the tumor based on what is seen under the microscope. It allows classification of the cancer and helps guide decisions.

 

• Hypermetabolic
Area that consumes a lot of glucose on a PET scan, suggesting increased activity.

 

• Immunotherapy
Treatment that stimulates the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

 

• Immunohistochemistry
Technique that uses antibodies on tissue to identify specific tumor proteins.

 

• Line of treatment
Order in which therapies are given (first line, second line, etc.).

 

• Lesion
Abnormal area detected on a study.

 

• Metastasis
Tumor lesion that appears in an organ different from the site where the cancer originated. It indicates that cells traveled through blood or lymph.

 

• Mutation
Change in a cell’s DNA. Some mutations drive tumor growth and others can be used as therapeutic targets.

 

• Pulmonologist
Physician specialized in lung diseases.

 

• Oncologist
Physician specialized in cancer treatment.

 

• Pathologist
Physician who analyzes tissues and issues microscopic diagnoses.

 

• PD-L1
Protein that may be expressed on tumor cells. Its level may guide the use of immunotherapy.

 

• PET-CT (positron emission tomography combined with CT)
Study that shows both anatomy and metabolic activity. It allows visualization of which lesions are active.

 

• Progression
Increase in size, number, or activity of lesions.

 

• Chemotherapy
Medications that destroy rapidly dividing cells. They act on cancer but also on some healthy cells, which explains many adverse effects.

 

• Radiotherapy
Treatment that uses radiation to damage the DNA of tumor cells.

 

• Radiosurgery
Highly precise type of radiotherapy delivered in a few sessions.

 

• Resection
Surgical removal of tissue.

 

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Imaging study that uses magnetic fields. It is especially useful for brain, spinal cord, muscles, and soft tissues.

 

• Contrast-enhanced MRI
MRI that uses a substance to highlight lesions and differentiate tissues.

 

• Non-contrast MRI
MRI without administration of a substance. It provides basic structural information.

 

• Complete response
Disappearance of all visible lesions.

 

• Partial response
Decrease in size or activity of lesions.

 

• SUV
Value that expresses how much glucose a lesion takes up on a PET scan. It gives an idea of its activity.

 

• CT scan (computed tomography)
X-ray study that generates cross-sectional images of the body. It shows size, shape, and location of lesions.

 

• Targeted therapy
Medication designed to act on a specific tumor alteration.

 

• Tumor tissue
Tumor sample used for studies.

 

• CT vs PET
CT mainly shows anatomy (size and shape). PET shows metabolic activity. A tumor may look the same size but have less activity on PET, suggesting response.

 

• CT vs MRI
CT is fast and good for lung, bones, and abdomen. MRI provides greater detail in brain and soft tissues.

 

• Primary tumor
Tumor where the disease originated.

 

• Ground-glass opacity
Lung area with a hazy appearance on CT. It may correspond to inflammation, fibrosis, or tumor infiltration.