12. Airway collapse
A distinct feature of the lungs is that they are made up of empty spaces that should remain empty for air to pass through. This is true in the airways and the bronchioles/alveoli. When the airways or the bronchioles/alveoli collapse, the walls come close together or stick to one another, compromising the airflow. The inflammatory response and the tumor itself can cause a collapse of the airways, the bronchioles, or the alveoli.