Mesothelioma Glossary

A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,L,M,N,O,P,R,S,T,U,V,W,X

Abdomen –The area between the chest and the pelvis. Many major organs are located here, including the stomach, colon, kidneys and more.
Abdominal Cavity –The area contained between the walls of the body, below the diaphragm and the floor of the pelvis. It contains several organs, including the liver, bladder, stomach and small intestine.
Abnormal –Outside of the ordinary.
Acupuncture –The use of small needles to puncture skin to cure disease or ease pain.
Acute Pain –Quick and severe pain, usually short lived.
Adenocarcinoma –A malignant tumor found in the areas of the body that produce mucous. Frequently found along the outer edges of the lungs and under the membrane lining of the bronchi.
Adjuvant Therapy –Treatment used in connection with another treatment. The ultimate goal is that each will work better when in conjunction with one another. For example, chemotherapy paired with surgery to prevent cancer from returning.
Airborne Asbestos –Asbestos fibers that have broken away from the main mass of the asbestos fabric. These fibers may float in the air, causing them to be inhaled or swallowed.
AJCC Staging System –A system created to standardize cancer classifications to help doctors select the best form of treatment. The system was created by the American Joint Committee on Cancer.
Alimta –A chemotherapy that treats the malignant cancer known as pleural mesothelioma.
Alopecia –Loss of hair as a side effect of chemotherapy.
Alternative Medicine –A treatment for a disease not commonly accepted by the Western schools of medicine. These treatments may include acupuncture, faith healing, homeopathic medicine and more.
Alveolar Sacs –Small compartments in the lungs where the changing of gasses occurs during respiration.
Alveoli –Tiny compartments in the lining of the lungs.
Anemia –Having too few red blood cells. This is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Symptoms include fatigue and shortness of breath.
Anesthetic –A drug used to cause numbness in part of the body or a controlled unconsciousness.
Angiogenesis – Formation of new blood vessels. This process is necessary for the growth of tumors. Tumors release chemicals that encourage the growth of blood vessels.
Angiogenesis Inhibitor –Any substance that slows or stops angiogenesis, thereby preventing the formation of blood vessels.
Angiostatin –A protein preventing blood vessel growth and that is part of blood clotting. This protein is being studied to evaluate its value in fighting cancer.
Antiangiogenesis –Prevention of blood vessel growth.
Arrhythmia –An abnormal heart beat.
Asbestos –A material made up of tiny, long fibers. These fibers can be dislodged and inhaled, causing cancer or scarring. Asbestos was widely used for fireproofing and insulation until it was discovered to be hazardous after long periods of exposure.
Asbestos Pleural Disease -A disease caused by inhalation or swallowing of asbestos fibers. It may dramatically affect breathing and the respiratory system. This disease is non-malignant, but may result in death or cause cancer.
Asbestosis –A chronic inflammation of lung tissues resulting from long-term asbestos exposure. Symptoms include shortness of breath and an increased risk of lung disease.
Ascites –A fluid build up in the abdominal lining. This is commonly caused by mesothelioma or cirrhosis.
Atelectasis –The collapse of a lung.
Autopsy –Investigation of a corpse for cause of death.

Benign –A non-cancerous tumor.
Biologic Therapy –A treatment stimulating the body’s immune system into fighting a disease. Biologics can be made of sugars, proteins, living cells and more.
Biopsy –Removal of a tissue from the body for use in diagnosis, usually related to cancer.
Brachytherapy –An early method of cancer treatment requiring a dose of radiation enter the body beside a tumor.
B-Reader –A program to standardize the reading of chest x-rays. Put in place by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Breakthrough pain –Pain exceeding the level a pain medication can prevent.
Bronchi –The primary airways into the lungs.
Bronchiole –The structures connecting the bronchi and the alveoli in the lungs.
Bronchogenic Carcinoma Cancer –Cancer of the bronchi or bronchiole.
Bronchopleural Fistula –A hole in the bronchi or bronchiole.
Bronchoscopy –A procedure to allow doctors to see inside the respiratory system to search for abnormalities.
Butchart Staging System –A system to make diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma easier.

Cachexia –Fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and muscle atrophy resulting from a disease.
Calcification –When soft tissues harden from built up calcium.
Cancer –Abnormal cell growth. These usually grow at a rapid rate and occasionally, spread.
Carcinogen –A substance known to cause abnormal cell growth and cancer.
Cardiologist –A doctor specializing in the heart and blood vessels.
Chemotherapy –The use of anticancer drugs. Also called “chemo.”
Chest –The body area above the abdomen and below the neck. The chest contains the body’s most important organs -the heart and the lungs.
Chronic –Something persistent.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) –A disease affecting the airways, especially the lungs. Damage caused by COPD may be permanent.
Chronic Pain –Pain persisting for a long period.
Chrysotile –One of many asbestos forms.
Cisplatin –An anti-cancer drug given intravenously used to treat many malignancies.
Clinical –Based on patient observation and treatment.
Clinical Trials –Medical studies on the effectiveness of a given treatment.
Combination Chemotherapy –The use of two or more drugs in the treatment of cancer.
Complete Response –The disappearance of all signs of cancer.
Contaminant –A harmful substance.
Crocidolite –A type of asbestos. This form is blue in color.
CT Scan –A computerized tomography scan where pictures inside the body are compiled through multiple X-ray images. Also called CAT scans.
Cytology –The study of cells.

Decortication –Surgically removing the outer cover of an organ. This is a common procedure on mesothelioma patients when the lung has become too constricted to fully inflate.
Diagnosis –Identification of an ailment or disease based on the symptoms.
Diagnostic –The use of scientific methods to establish the nature of a disease and its underlying cause.
Diaphragm –A muscle resting between the chest and abdomen. The flexing and relaxing of this muscle are used every time a person breathes.
Drain –A way to remove fluid from a cavity or wound.
Drug resistance –The ability of bacteria and viruses to withstand a drug they were once susceptible to.
Dyspnea –Shortness of breath.

Echocardiogram –A picture of the heart doctors use to track and diagnose disease.
Effusion –The build up of fluids in cavities that should be fluid-free.
Endoscope –A long tube with a camera that can be guided through the body to view medical conditions.
Endostatin –A piece of protein found in blood vessels. The substance is thought to halt the process of blood vessel growth, and may be a way to treat cancer.
Epidemiological –Factors that affect human health across populations.
Epidemiology –The study of rapidly spreading diseases.
Epithelial –One of four main body tissues, this group composes the linings of organs and membranes, as well as the skin.
Esophagitis –A health problem causing the esophagus to become torn or inflamed.
Esophagus –The tube connecting the throat with the stomach. Used to bring swallowed food into the stomach.
Etiology – The study of causes of diseases.
External Radiation Therapy –Radiation applied outside of the body using a machine that aims high-energy rays at cancer cells.
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy –Removal of the lung and the diaphragm.

Fatigue –A feeling of tiredness.
Fibrosis –Growth of extra tissues around the organs that may lead to cancer.
Friable –Substances easily broken into smaller pieces, this includes asbestos.

Gene –The biological units of heredity.
Gene Therapy –A way to modify genes responsible for disease.
Genetic –Relating with genes, or inheritance of traits.

Hazard –Something that can cause harm to someone.
Hemoptysis –The coughing up of blood, caused by lung or throat illnesses.
Hemorrhage –Bleeding.
Histology –The study of tissues.
Hypnosis –The process of putting a patient into a deep, dream like state.
Hypnotherapist –A professional trained in inducing a patient into hypnosis.

Idiopathic –A periodically occurring medical condition.
Imaging Tests –Tests using any type of waves to produce an image, for example, X-rays.
Immune –Protected from infection or disease.
Immune System –The internal body system that protects a person from disease or infection.
Immunoaugmentative Therapy –A cancer treatment requiring the injection of healthy proteins or antibodies into a patient’s tumor. This type of therapy is still under clinical investigation and is only available in a few states.
Immunohistochemical –A treatment that works with a person’s antibodies to fight disease.
Immunostaining –The use of antibodies to stain proteins in tissues being studied.
Immunosupressant –A substance that reduces the power of the immune system on the body.
Immunotherapy –Treatment of a disease through stimulation of the body’s immune system.
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) –Radiation therapy using computer-controlled rays aimed at a tumor. This minimizes the radiation to healthy tissues.
Interferon –A substance interfering with a virus’s ability to reproduce.
Internal Radiation Therapy –Radiation therapy that requires radioactive material be placed inside the body near cancerous cells.
Intraoperative Photodynamic Therapy –A cancer treatment technique using light, oxygen and a photosensitizer.
Intravenous –Adding something directly into the blood stream.
Invasive Cancer –Cancer that has spread into once healthy tissues.

Laparoscope –A telescoping rod inserted into the body, frequently containing a camera and light to transmit images to the doctor. It may also have an attachment capable of removing sample tissues.
Laparoscopy –A minimally invasive surgical procedure.
Latency Period –The time between a start of an infection and the start of a resulting disease
Lobectomy –A surgery completely removing the lobe of a lung.
Lymph –A body fluid that fights disease and infection.
Lymph Nodes –Small masses of lymphatic tissue surrounded by connective tissue. These nodes filter the lymphatic fluid and can trap cancer cells or bacteria traveling through the lymph fluid. Swollen lymph nodes are a common indicator of a medical problem.

Macrophage –A white blood cell that digests pathogens. These cells will split open when trying to digest asbestos fibers and damage the alveoli with their internal fluids.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) –A medical imaging test using magnetic fields to create a 3D image of an organ.
Malignant –Cancerous cells that continue to grow and damage nearby tissue.
Markers –Indicators of cancer presence.
Medistinoscopy –A surgical procedure that helps doctors diagnose lung cancer through the use of a thin scope inserted in a small incision. The scope can then collect tissue samples for further examination.
Mesenchymal –Cells that develop into connective tissue, blood vessels or lymphatic tissue.
Mesothelin –A protein normally found on mesothelial cells, but found in high quantities in mutated cells.
Mesothelioma –A malignant cancer affecting the lining of body cavities and organs. Most mesothelioma cases can be traced to asbestos exposure. This cancer most commonly occurs on the lung lining.
Mesothelium –Membrane lining the heart, lungs and abdominal cavity, providing lubrication that allows the organs to glide against neighboring structures.
Metastasis –Cancer resulting from the spread of a tumor, generally passed through the lymph system or bloodstream.
Mixed Type Mesothelioma –Mesothelioma affecting more than one organ’s linings.
Multimodality Therapy –A treatment plan using more than one treatment at a time to fight a disease. Mesothelioma specialists are particularly interested in using this treatment through combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, gene therapy or immunotherapy.
Mutagen –A substance increasing the likelihood for cells to mutate.
Mutation –A change that rewires the cell’s genetic make-up.

Needle Biopsy –A process requiring the use of a long, hollow needle to extract tissue for examination.
Neoplasm –A condition where cells grow abnormally fast.
Neuropathy –The disruption of nerves.
Node –A collection of tissue.
Nodule –A small, sold node that can be felt from the exterior of the body.

Oncogenesis –Development of cellular changes that result in tumors.
Oncologist –A doctor specializing in tumors and their growth.
Oncology –The study of tumors.
Opiates –Powerful pain medication, originally derived from opium, although many of today’s medications use synthetic drugs.
OSHA –Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an agency committed to protecting worker’s health and safety.

Palliative –A relief, but not a cure.
Palliative Treatment - Treatment to slow down a disease’s progress and make the patient comfortable, though it cannot cure the disease.
Paracentesis –Removal of body fluid from the abdominal cavity using a needle. Frequently used to diagnose mesothelioma.
Parenchyma –The functional parts of an organ.
Pathogenicity –The ability of an organism to cause disease.
Pathologist –A doctor specializing in the identification of disease through tissue analysis.
Pathology –The study of disease.
Pericardial Mesothelioma –Cancer of the pericardium, about 5% of mesothelioma cases.
Pericardium –A protective tissue layer surrounding the heart. The fibrous layer of the tissue anchors the heart to surrounding tissue and prevents overfilling.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma –Cancer of the peritoneum, about 25% of mesothelioma cases.
Peritoneum –The membrane lining of the abdominal cavity and organs.
Permissible Exposure Limit –The maximum level of exposure to a dangerous substance still considered safe. The level for asbestos exposure is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air, with no more than 8 hours exposure in one setting.
PET Scan –Positron Emission Tomography, a procedure producing powerful images of the body’s functions. The process of a PET scan incorporates the use of a radioactive glucose scanned with imaging equipment. This is very helpful in treatment and monitoring of malignant diseases as cancer uses glucose faster than healthy cells.
Phagocytosis –A process in which a cell digests particles.
Photodynamic Therapy –A cancer treatment using a photosensitizing chemical absorbed by cancerous cells, followed by exposure to a red laser light that activates the chemical and kills the cancerous cells.
Platelet –Blood cells involved in clotting.
Pleura –The thin membrane surrounding the lungs and the interior of the chest cavity.
Pleural Effusion –A build up of liquid between the pleural tissue layers.
Pleural Mesothelioma –Cancer of the lining around the lungs. This is the most common type of mesothelioma, occurring in 70% of cases.
Pleural Plaques –Scar tissue developed on the lungs, usually a result of long-term asbestos exposure.
Pleurectomy –A surgery removing part of the lung.
Pneumoconiosis –Lung scarring and fibrosis caused by long-term exposure to carcinogens.
Pneumonectomy –Surgical removal of an entire lung.
Pneumonitis –Inflammation of the lung tissue. This can lead to scarring.
Pneumothorax –The collapse of one or both lungs due to gas collection in the pleural cavity.
Primary Tumor –The first tumor in a person’s body.
Prognosis –A doctor’s opinion regarding a disease’s expected course and chances of recovery.
Progressive Disease –A disease becoming more severe or widespread.
Proto Oncogenes –Genes coded for cell growth regulation. If mutated, these can lead to malignant tumors.
Pulmonary –Related to the lungs.
Pulmonary Fibrosis –Scar tissues in the lungs.
Pulmonary Function Tests –Tests to determine how well the lungs are functioning.
Pulmonologist –A doctor specializing in the lungs.

Radiation –Rays of energy, including gamma rays, electron beams and X-rays.
Radiation Therapy –The use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Radiologist –A doctor specialized in medical imaging equipment and radiation therapy.
Radiology –The study of radiation and how it can be used to treat disease.
Radionuclide Scan –An imaging scan requiring the patient to receive a shot of a radioactive substance.
Remission –Disappearance of cancer or other diseases. Remission can be long lasting or temporary.
Resectable –Able to be removed via surgery.
Resistance –When a disease or bacteria is able to withstand treatment.
Respirator –A medical device that makes it easier for a person to breathe.

Sarcomatous Mesothelioma –A type of mesothelioma that occurs in undeveloped cells, known as mesenchymal cells, that would have eventually became blood veins, connective tissue or lymph tissue. This type of mesothelioma accounts for 10-15% of all cases.
Serpentine Asbestos –Asbestos type recognizable through curly fibers.
Small Cell Lung Cancer –One of four major types of lung cancer. These cells appear round under a microscope.
Sputum –Phlegm ejected from the lungs through coughing.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma –A type of cancer affecting many types of organs, such as the skin, lungs, prostate and esophagus.
Stage –The progress of a cancer.
Staging –The process of testing the advancement of a cancer.
Statute of Limitations –A legal time limit restricting the amount of time a person has to file a lawsuit or press charges.
Stroma –The supportive framework of an organ.
Synergistic Effect –When two or more substances have a stronger affect when used together than the combined affect each would have separately.
Systemic Therapy –A treatment requiring the administration of a substance through the bloodstream in order to treat the whole body.

TENS Therapy -Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy, a pain management method using electrodes to stimulate nerves.
Thoracentesis –Removal of excess fluid in the pleura using a needle. Can be used to diagnose mesothelioma.
Thoracic –Relating to the chest.
Thoracotomy –A procedure requiring a small incision on one side of the chest, providing the doctor access to the heart and lungs.
Thrombocytopenia –A reduced platelet count occurring when the platelets are lost faster than can be replaced. This can cause excessive bleeding, as it is harder for blood to clot.
Tomotherapy –A form of radiation therapy using a CT scan to better target tumors and reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissue.
Toxic Agent –A substance hazardous to animals or humans.
Toxicity –How dangerous a substance is to humans or animals.
Toxicology –The study of toxic agents and how they affect life forms.
Trachea –The structure connecting the voice box and the bronchi.
Tremolite –A type of asbestos with flexible, grey fibers.
Tumor –A lump of tissue containing abnormal cells. These cells can be cancerous, but are not always so.
Tumor Suppressor Gene –A gene that can prevent uncontrollable cell division.

Unresectable –Unable to be removed through surgery.

Vermiculite –A type of insulation occasionally contaminated with asbestos.
Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery – A surgery in the chest involving the use of a fiber-optic camera. This has been found increasingly helpful in mesothelioma diagnosis.

White Blood Cells (WBC) –Blood cells that are part of the immune system and fight against infection.

X-Ray –An image obtained with the use of high-energy radioactive waves. In high doses, the rays may also be used as treatment of cancer.

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