Mesothelioma Definitions
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N |O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
abdomen (AB-do-men) - The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs
abnormal - Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancerous, pre-malignant (likely to become cancer), or benign
asbestos (as-BES-tus) - A natural material that is made of tiny fibers. Asbestos can cause several serious diseases, including cancer
B
biopsy (BY-op-see) - The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. When only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy. When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy, core biopsy, or fine-needle aspiration.
blood - A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.
bronchoscope (BRON-ko-skope) - A thin, lighted tube used to examine the inside of the trachea and bronchi, the air passages that lead to the lungs
bronchoscopy (bron-KOS-ko-pee) - A procedure in which a thin, lighted tube is inserted through the nose or mouth. This allows examination of the inside of the trachea and bronchi (air passages that lead to the lung), as well as the lung. Bronchoscopy may be used to detect cancer or to perform some treatment procedures.
C
Ccancer - A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.
cell - The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells
chest x-ray - An x-ray of the structures inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of high-energy radiation that can go through the body and onto film, making pictures of areas inside the chest, which can be used to diagnose disease.
complete blood count - CBC. A test to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. Also called blood cell count
cytology - The study of cells using a microscope
D
diagnosis - The process of identifying a disease by the signs and symptoms
F
fine-needle aspiration (as-per-AY-shun) - The removal of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a microscope. Also called needle biopsy
fluid – Liquid
H
hemoglobin (HE-muh-GLOW-bun) - The substance inside red blood cells that binds to oxygen and carries it from the lungs to the tissues
I
incision (in-SIH-zhun) - A cut made in the body to perform surgery
inhalation -In medicine, refers to the act of taking a substance into the body by breathing
L
laparotomy (lap-a-RAH-toe-mee) - A surgical incision made in the wall of the abdomen
lung - one of a pair of organs in the chest that supplies the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide from the body
M
malignant (ma-LIG-nant) - Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
O
organ - A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ
P
pathologist (pa-THOL-o-jist) - A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope
peritoneum (PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-um) - The tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen
physical examination - An exam of the body to check for general signs of disease
platelet (PLATE-let) - A type of blood cell that helps prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form. Also called a thrombocyte
pleura (PLOOR-a) - A thin layer of tissue covering the lungs and lining the interior wall of the chest cavity. It protects and cushions the lungs. This tissue secretes a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant, allowing the lungs to move smoothly in the chest cavity while breathing.
prognosis (prog-NO-sis) - The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence
protein (PRO-teen) - A molecule made up of amino acids that are needed for the body to function properly. Proteins are the basis of body structures such as skin and hair and of substances such as enzymes, cytokines, and antibodies
R
recur - To occur again
red blood cell - RBC. A cell that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Also called an erythrocyte
S
sedimentation rate - The distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube. The sedimentation rate is increased in inflammation, infection, cancer, rheumatic diseases, and diseases of the blood and bone marrow. Also called erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
stage - The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
surgery (SER-juh-ree) - A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation
symptom - An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain
T
thoracoscopy - The use of a thin, lighted tube (called an endoscope) to examine the inside of the chest
thoracotomy (thor-a-KAH-toe-mee) - An operation to open the chest
tissue (TISH-oo) - A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.
trachea (TRAY-kee-uh) - The airway that leads from the larynx to the lungs. Also called the windpipe
tumor (TOO-mer) - An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Also called neoplasm.
W
white blood cell - WBC. Refers to a blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin. White blood cells include lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells. These cells are made by bone marrow and help the body fight infection and other diseases.
X
x-ray - A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays are used to treat cancer