Glossary of Terms
Anesthesiologist – Anesthesiologists are doctors who specialize in the care of a patient before, during and after surgery. Included in that care is giving medicines during surgery to ensure the patient is pain free.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – A nurse anesthetist is an advanced practice nurse who has specialized training to deliver anesthesia safely and properly during procedures.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) – COPD is a group of lung diseases characterized by inflammation and restricted airflow in the lungs.
Diagnostic CT - Computerized tomography (CT) scan is a series of x-ray images taken from different angles around the chest, that are processed by a computer to give slices (or cross-sectional views) of the structure of the lungs.
Emphysema – Emphysema is a lung condition in which the air sacs in the lung become damaged and enlarged, which results in reduced oxygen in the bloodstream.
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) - EBUS is a specific type of bronchoscopy that also uses an ultrasound probe to view the airways. Bronchoscopy is a procedure that uses a thin lighted tube (bronchoscope) to see the insides of the lungs.
Low Dose CT - A low dose CT screening is a radiology stdy used to detect early lung cancer. It is called “low dose” because it uses less radiation than a traditional CT scan.
Non-small cell cancers - Non-small cell cancers make up about 80% to 85% of lung cancers. Adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinomas are the most common sub types of non-small cell lung cancers.
Nurse Navigation - Navigators help coordinate patient care, connect patients with resources, and help patients understand the healthcare system.
Pack Years -Pack years is a term to define your smoking history. To calculate pack years, take the number of packs of cigarettes you smoke in a day (or use to smoke) and multiply it by the number of years you have smoked. For example:
1 pack per day for 20 years, would be 1 x 20 years = 20 pack years.
1/2 pack per day for 30 years, would be 0.5 x 30 years = 15 pack years.
PET Scans - A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a type of imaging test. It uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease in the body.
Pulmonologist – Pulmonologist are internal medicine doctors who have received extra training to diagnose and treat lung diseases.
Radial EBUS -Radial EBUS assists the clinician to obtain more accurate samples of nodules in areas that are difficult to access, especially in the peripheral areas of the lung. A small ultrasound probe (radial EBUS probe) is inserted down a flexible bronchoscope with the image displayed on a monitor.
Radiology Technician – Radiology technicians are trained medical professionals who operate imaging or radiation therapy equipment.
Respiratory Therapist – Respiratory therapists are medical professionals who specialize in pulmonary care. They help evaluate, monitor and treat lung conditions.
Robotic Assisted Biopsy (ION) -Ion is a minimally invasive robotic assisted method of obtaining a lung biopsy. The clinician (specially trained doctor) inserts a thin catheter into the mouth to the lungs. Using a GPS-like navigation system and robotic assistance, the clinician can steer the catheter through the tiny winding airways in the lung’s outer edges.
Small cell cancers (sometimes also called oat cell cancers) - Small cell cancers make up about 10% to 15% of lung cancers. They typically grow quickly and spread faster than non-small lung cancers.