Laparoscopy   
Examination of abdominal organs with a laparoscope (a lighted tubular instrument) passed through a small incision in the abdominal wall.

Laparotomy   
Any surgical procedure which involves opening the abdominal cavity for examination (exploratory laparotomy) or to perform additional surgery.

Laryngectomy   
The surgical removal of the larynx.

Lesion   
A lump or abscess that may be caused by injury or disease, such as cancer.

Leukemia   
Cancer of the blood. White blood cells may be produced in excessive amounts and are unable to work properly.

Leukocyte   
See White Blood Cell.

Leukopenia   
A low number of white blood cells.

Limited disease   
A term that describes small cell lung cancer when it has not spread beyond the chest.

Living will   
A document indicating the treatments a person will accept or not accept for use in the event that they are unable to communicate those wishes.

Lobectomy   
The surgical removal of one of the lobes of a lung.

Local anesthetic   
A drug used to block sensation in a specific area.

Low-dose spiral CT scan   
A CT scan that uses fewer x-rays. Used for early lung cancer detection.

Lumpectomy   
See Mastectomy – Segmental.

Lungs   
The organs that supply the blood with oxygen and rid the body of carbon dioxide.

Lymph nodes   
Small glands located throughout the body that filter out and destroy bacteria and that can collect cancer cells.

Lymphadenectomy   
Surgical removal and biopsy of lymph nodes to determine the spread of cancer.

Lymphangiogram   
A test to look at the lymph nodes.

Lymphatic system   
A network that includes lymph nodes and lymph vessels that serves as a filtering system for the blood.

Lymphedema   
Swelling either from obstructed cancerous lymph nodes or from surgically removed lymph nodes.

Lymphocytes   
White blood cells that kill viruses and defend against the invasion of foreign material.

Lymphoma   
A cancer of the lymphatic system. Doctors determine the different lymphomas by the type of cell that is involved in making up the tumor. Treatments depend on the type of cell that is seen.