What it means
The leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Smoking causes most cases; radon gas, secondhand smoke, asbestos and air pollution also raise the risk. The two main types are non-small cell (most cases) and small cell lung cancer, which grows and spreads fast. It often causes no symptoms until it is advanced. Yearly low-dose CT screening is recommended for some adults with a heavy smoking history.
For the nurse
Support clients to stop smoking at every visit. After lung surgery, manage chest tubes, pain and deep breathing to prevent pneumonia.
At a glance
| Spanish | cáncer de pulmón |
|---|---|
| Also written | lung-cancer, lung cancers |
Related terms
antineoplastic
A drug used to treat cancer by killing cancer cells or stopping them from growing and dividing.
pulmonary
Relating to the lungs.
screening
Testing people who have no symptoms to find a disease or risk early.
malignant
Cancerous: describing a tumor whose cells grow out of control, invade nearby tissue and can spread through the body.