A malignant tumor disease that develops in the cells of the lungs or bronchi. In technical language, it is also called bronchial carcinoma.
example
Rauchen gilt als Hauptrisikofaktor für die Entstehung von Lungenkrebs.
Smoking is considered the main risk factor for developing lung cancer.
Usage tips
Compound structure
'Lungenkrebs' (lung cancer) is a compound noun made up of 'Lunge' (lung) and 'Krebs' (cancer). The '-n-' in between is a linking element that connects the two words. Literally, it means 'cancer of the lung'.
EXAMPLE
Die Früherkennung von Lungenkrebs verbessert die Heilungschancen.
Early detection of lung cancer improves the chances of recovery.
Productive pattern
This word follows a typical pattern for disease names in German: [body part] + 'krebs' (cancer). If you know this pattern, you can also understand other words such as 'Hautkrebs' (skin cancer), 'Brustkrebs' (breast cancer), or 'Darmkrebs' (colon cancer).
EXAMPLE
Regelmäßige Vorsorgeuntersuchungen können helfen, Darmkrebs früh zu erkennen.
Regular checkups can help detect colon cancer early.
Important preposition
When talking about suffering from or dying of a disease, German often uses the preposition 'an' (+ dative). So you say 'an Lungenkrebs erkranken' (to develop lung cancer) or 'an Lungenkrebs sterben' (to die of lung cancer).
EXAMPLE
Ihr Großvater ist leider an Lungenkrebs gestorben.
Unfortunately, her grandfather died of lung cancer.