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Questions About Cancer? 1-800-4-CANCER

NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

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atelectasis  listen  (A-teh-LEK-tuh-sis)

  Failure of the lung to expand (inflate) completely. This may be caused by a blocked airway, a tumor, general anesthesia, pneumonia or other lung infections, lung disease, or long-term bedrest with shallow breathing. Sometimes called a collapsed lung.