Adjuvant Radiation
Anything that aids in removing or preventing a disease. For example, a person with mesothelioma may be treated primarily with chemotherapy, supplemented by adjuvant radiation.

Asbestos
A naturally occurring substance, mined from rock and made up of tiny fibers, used extensively in thousands of building and insulation products.

Asbestos Fibers
The most common fibers found in processed asbestos are amosite, crocidolite and chrysotile.

Asbestosis
A non-cancerous lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. The fibers tear the tissue of the wall, and the lung tissue scars, becoming stiff and preventing the lung from working as it is supposed to. Asbestosis is progressive (it gets worse over time) and can be fatal.

Aspiration
The process of removing fluid or tissue, or both, from a specific area.

Benign
Non-cancerous and not capable of spreading to other parts of the body.

Biopsy
The process of surgically removing tissue from the body, examining it under a microscope and making a diagnosis.

Brachytherapy
Radiation therapy whereby radioactive materials are placed directly inside the chest or the abdomen at the site of the mesothelioma.

Bronchoscope (bronchoscopy)
A bronchoscope is a flexible, lighted tube that is inserted through the mouth into the lungs to examine air passages. The procedure is called a bronchoscopy.

Catheter
a hollow tube inserted partially under the skin through which drugs, including those used in chemotherapy, are injected directly into the bloodstream.

Chemotherapy
The use of drugs and chemicals to treat cancer.

Clinical trial
A research study that attempts to improve current treatments or finds information on new treatments for patients with cancer.

CT scan (CAT scan)
A test that uses computers and x-rays to create images of various parts of the body.

Decortication
Removal of part or all of the external surface of an organ.

Diaphragm
A muscular wall separating the abdomen from the cavity containing the lungs and heart.

Effusion
A collection of fluid in a body cavity, usually between two adjoining tissues. For example, a pleural effusion is the collection of fluid between two layers of the pleura (the lung's covering).

External radiation
Radiation that is directed onto the skin that covers the cancerous region within the body.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy
The removal of the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium and the whole lung on the side of the cancerous tumor. It is intended to remove all or most of the cancer and some surrounding tissues as well.

Immunoaugmentive therapy (IAT)
A developing treatment for mesothelioma that seeks to strengthen the body's natural immune system by balancing four blood proteins.

Intraoperative photodynamic therapy
A developing treatment for mesothelioma. A drug that makes cancer cells more sensitive to light is injected into a vein several days before surgery to remove the cancerous growth. A special light is shone on the area, which increases the chance of removing more of the cancer.

Intrapericardial chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs injected directly into the pericardium.

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs injected directly into the abdominal cavity.

Intrapleural chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs injected directly into the chest cavity.

laparoscope (laparoscopy)
A laparoscope is a lighted tube that is inserted into the abdomen to examine the abdominal wall. The procedure is called a laparoscopy. (See peritoneoscope/peritoneoscopy)

lymph nodes
The hundreds of small oval bodies that contain lymph. Lymph nodes act as our first line of defense against infections and cancer.

Malignant
Cancerous and capable of spreading to other parts of the body.

Mediastinum (mediastinoscopy)
The mediastinum is the partition between the lungs, formed by the adjoining walls of the pleura, and between the lungs and the lymph nodes. A mediastinoscopy is the procedure by which a lighted tube is inserted into the chest cavity to examine the lymph nodes.

Mesothelial cells (mesothelium tissue)
The general name for the specialized cells that cover the heart, lungs, abdomen and most other organs in the body. The layer of cells is called mesothelium tissue.

Mesothelioma
Cancer of the mesothelium tissue. In particular, cancer of the lining around the lungs (pleura), heart (pericardium) and abdomen (peritoneum).

Metastatic
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. A tumor formed by cells that have spread is called a "metastatic tumor" or a "metastasis.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
A sophisticated test that provides in-depth images of organs and structures in the body.

Oncology (oncologist)
Oncology is the study of cancer. An oncologist is a physician who specializes in cancer and cancer treatment.

Palliative radiation
Radiation treatment aimed at the relief of pain and symptoms of disease but not intended to cure the disease.

Paracentesis
The process of removing fluid from the abdomen using local anesthesia, needle and syringe.

Pathologist
A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.

Pericardial mesothelioma
Cancer of the lining that surrounds the heart.

Pericardiocentesis
The process of removing fluid from the sac around the heart using local anesthesia, needle and syringe.

Pericardium
The lining that surrounds the heart.

Peritoneal mesothelioma
Cancer of the lining that surrounds the abdominal cavity.

Peritoneoscope (peritoneoscopy)
A peritoneoscope is a lighted tube that is inserted into the abdomen to examine the abdominal wall. The procedure is called a peritoneoscopy. (See laparoscope/laparoscopy)

Peritoneum
The lining that surrounds the abdominal cavity.

PET (positonic emission topography)
A procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body.

Pleura
The lining that surrounds the lungs and prevents the lungs from rubbing against the ribs.

Pleural mesothelioma
Cancer of the lining that surrounds the lungs.

Pleurectomy (decortation)
The procedure of removing the pleura, where the cancerous tumor has lodged, along the inner chest wall. It is used to control effusions and ease pain.

Pneumonectomy
The surgical removal of a lung.

Prognosis
The projected outcome of a disease; the life expectancy.

Protocol
A treatment plan.

Radiation therapy
Intensive x-ray treatment that damages or kills cancer cells.

Recurrence
The reappearance of a disease after a period of remission.

Regression
The shrinkage of cancer growth.

Remission
The complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of disease.

Risk factor
Anything that increases a person's chances of developing cancer, for example, asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.

Staging
The determination of the size and extent of cancer in the body.

Systemic disease
A disease that affects the entire body instead of a specific organ.

Thoracentesis
A procedure to remove fluids from the area between the two layers covering the lung (the pleura).

Thoracoscope (thoracoscopy)
A thoracoscope is a lighted tube that is inserted directly into the chest, between the ribs, to examine the lungs and heart. The procedure is called a thoracoscopy.

Thoracotomy
A surgical procedure that opens up the chest cavity.

Tumor
An abnormal overgrowth of cells. Tumors can be either benign or malignant.

X-ray
High-energy electromagnetic radiation used to diagnose and treat disease.

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