Amosite
A type of asbestos that is heat and acid proof and is used for heat and pipe insulation.
Asbestos
Fibrous amphibole used for making fireproof things; inhaling these fibers can cause lung cancer or asbestosis.
Biopsy
The removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present. There are several kinds of biopsies. In some, a very thin needle is used to draw fluid and cells from a lump. In a core biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove more tissue.
Bronchi
The two main air passages leading from the trachea which allow air to move in and out of the lungs.
Carcinogen
A substance that causes cancer or helps cancer grow.
Chemotherapy
Treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used with surgery or radiation to treat cancer when the cancer has spread, when it has come back (recurred), or when there is a strong chance that it could recur.
Chrysotile
A type of asbestos that is fireproof and can be made into asbestos cloth.
Computed Tomography / CT scan
A n imaging test in which many x-rays are taken of a part of the body to produce cross-sectional pictures of internal organs. Except for the injection of a dye (needed in some but not all cases), this is a painless procedure that can be done in an outpatient clinic. It is often referred to as a "CT" or "CAT" scan.
Radiographic technique that uses a computer to combine multiple x-ray images into two dimensional images. Also called computed tomography.
Crocidolite
A type of asbestos that is acid proof and is used for making electric battery cases and cement.
Cryosurgery
A procedure performed with an instrument that freezes, thereby destroying abnormal tissues.
Latency period
The time between exposure to a substance and the onset of a disease.
Lobectomy
A surgical procedure in which one lobe of a lung is removed.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / MRI
A method of taking pictures of the inside of the body. Instead of using x-rays, MRI uses a powerful magnet and transmits radio waves through the body; the images appear on a computer screen as well as on film. Like x-rays, the procedure is physically painless, but some people find it psychologically uncomfortable to be in the small core of the MRI machine.
Malignant tumor
A mass of cancer cells that may invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body.
Mesothelial Cells
Specialized cells making up the membranes that line the chest and abdominal cavity. Mesothelial cells help protect these organs by producing a lubricating fluid that allows the organs to move without irritating the nerves.
Mesothelioma
Malignant tumor of the mesothelium of the percardium, pleura, or peritoneum. The only known cause of Mesothelioma in the U.S. is exposure to asbestos or asbestos fibers.
Mesothelium
Membranous tissue covering internal organs and internal body surfaces.
Metastasis
The spread of cancer from one place on the body to another. A tumor which has spread is called a metastatic tumor, secondary tumor, or metastasis.
Palliative Treatment
Therapy aimed at relieving symptoms but not expected to cure the cancer. The main purpose of palliative treatment is to improve the patient's quality of life.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
This very rare type of Mesothelioma invades the pericardium and features cancerous growths around the heart area as well.
Pericardium
The sac that envelops the heart and the roots of the aorta, superior and inferior vena cava, and the pulmonary veins and arteries.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Cancer of the cells that comprise the lining around the lungs, pleura, peritoneum, or other areas of the body.
Peritoneum
Lining of the abdominal cavity.
Pleura
T he membrane around the lungs and lining of the chest cavity.
Pleural Effusion
Abnormal collection of fluid between the tissue that lines the lung and wall of the chest cavity.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Cancer of the cells of the lining that envelops the lungs. This is the most common type of Mesothelioma and accounts for three-quarters of all Mesothelioma cases.
Peurectomy
A surgical procedure which involves the removal of a part of the pleura.
Radiation Therapy
Treatment using with x-rays, electrons, or gamma rays to destroy cancerous cells. This type of treatment may be used to reduce the size of a cancer before surgery, to destroy any remaining cancer cells after surgery, or, in some cases, as the main treatment.
Tissue
A collection of cells, united to perform a particular function.
Thoracentesis
Removal of fluid from the pleural cavity using a needle inserted between the ribs.
Thoracoscopy
A surgical technique in which a telescopic instrument fitted with a lighting system is inserted through a puncture in the chest wall. The physician can examine the tumor and sample tissue using a specialized instrument.
X-rays
O ne form of radiation that can be used at low levels to produce an image of the body on film or at high levels to destroy cancer cells.
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