Mesothelioma Glossary
actinolite
A basic calcium, magnesium, iron silicate, one of six naturally
occurring fibrous minerals forming the group called asbestos. Occurs
as translucent bright- to gray-green tough interlocking fibers which
are flexible and elastic. Actinolite has not been used commercially,
although it is sometimes a contaminant in asbestos-containing products.
adenocarcinoma
Cancer that begins in cells that line certain internal organs.
adjuvant therapy
Treatment used in addition to the main medical treatment.
AJCC staging system
American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system (also called the
TNM system), which describes the extent of a cancer's spread in
Roman numerals from 0 through IV.
amosite
A basic calcium, magnesium, iron silicate, one of six naturally
occurring fibrous minerals forming the group called asbestos. Occurs
as straight, brittle fibers, light gray to pale brown in color.
Commonly used in commercial asbestos products.
amphibole
One of the two subgroups of minerals forming the asbestos group,
distinguished by their chain-like crystal structure and chemical
composition. Asbestos amphiboles include actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite,
crocidolite, and tremolite.
asbestos
Combination of several minerals that separate into long, threadlike
fibers. Because they do not bum, do not conduct heat or electricity,
and are very resistant to chemicals, these minerals are often used
for making fireproof materials, electrical insulation, roofing,
filters, etc. benign: doing no harm, good incidence: the frequency
with which an event occurs (usually in a group at risk) pericardium:
a thin membrane surrounding the heart and the roots of the great
blood vessels.
asbestos bodies (aka ferruginous bodies)
Asbestos bodies are a subset of ferruginous bodies, the structures
formed when iron-protein deposition occurs on fibers in the body.
Because asbestos is by far the most commonly occurring core material,
the presence of ferruginous bodies in sputum indicates a significant
past exposure to asbestos.
asbestosis
An asbestos-related disease which causes scarring of the lung tissue.
ascites
A condition where fluid builds up in the peritoneal space of the
abdomen. This is associated with peritoneal mesothelioma
autopsy
A surgical procedure after death which involves the examination
of body tissues, often to determine cause of death.
biopsy
A procedure involving the removal of a sample of tissue for microscopic
analysis. Biopsies can be accomplished with a biopsy needle (passed
through the skin into the organ or tumor in question) or by open
surgical incision.
Butchart staging system
The staging system most often used for mesothelioma. It is divided
into Stages I - IV with the levels determined by the tissue involved.
carcinogenic
Of a substance which causes cancer.
carcinoma
A malignant tumor that begins in the skin or in tissues that line
or cover internal organs.
chemotherapy
Drug treatment to destroy cancer cells.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A progressive lung disease process characterized by difficulty breathing,
wheezing, and a chronic cough. Complications include bronchitis,
pneumonia, and lung cancer.
chrysotile
Basic silicate of magnesium, one of six naturally occurring fibrous
minerals forming the group called asbestos. White in color, the
only mineral of the serpentine subgroup of asbestos. Constituted
up to 95% of all industrial asbestos.
clinical trials
Research studies that test new medical treatments and other interventions
work in people. Tests may be preventative, diagnostic or therapeutic.
crocidolite
A fibrous sodium iron chain silicate of the amphibole subgroup of
asbestiform minerals, often called "blue asbestos" due
to color ranging from Prussian and indigo blue to yellow green.
Its fibers generally resemble strands of fine textured hair which
can usually bend beyond 90° before breaking. One of three common
forms of asbestos found in building materials, formerly constituting
about 4% of the world total production of asbestos.
cytology
The branch of biological science that deals with the structure and
function of cells.
differential diagnosis
The determination of which two or more diseases with similar symptoms
is the one from which a patient is suffering, based on an analysis
of the clinical data.
endoscope
An illuminated optic instrument that is inserted through an incision.
epidemiology
The statistical study of the distribution and determinants of disease
in populations.
epithelial
Of the cells that line the internal and external surfaces of the
body.
friable
Of a material which when dry, may be crumbled, crushed, pulverized,
or reduced to powder by normal hand pressure.
fibrosis
Formation of fibrous, scar-like tissue.
histology
The study of the structure and behavior of cells and body tissues,
usually involving microscopic examination of tissue slices.
idiopathic
Of a condition or disorder that occurs spontaneously for unknown
reasons.
imaging tests
Takes pictures of the lungs and can detect problems such as a mass,
an infection, air in the pleural space. Visual imaging tests include;
chest x-rays, CTs (computed tomography).
immunohistochemical staining
A laboratory process of detecting an organism in tissues with antibodies.
These antibodies are labeled with a compound that is seen as a colored
deposit when viewed microscopically. In general, mesotheliomas require
immunohistochemical confirmation before legal measures are initiated.
intrapleurally
Inserting chemotherapy drugs directly into the chest cavity.
intraperitoneally
Inserting chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity.
Intraoperative photodynamic therapy is a new treatment that uses
special drugs and light to kill cancer cells. Its use in the early
states of mesothelioma in the chest is being studied. Judgement
- an official court order deciding the rights or claims of the parties
in a legal proceeding.
invasive cancer
Cancer that has spread beyond the area where it first developed
to involve other tissues.
latency period
The period between exposure to a disease-causing agent and the onset
or appearance of disease symptoms. The latency period for asbestos-related
diseases ranges from 15 years for asbestosis to 30 years or more
for lung cancer and mesothelioma.
lung cancer
An uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in lung tissue. Primary
lung cancer originates in the lungs, while metastatic lung cancer
spreads to the lungs from another organ. Classification is based
on the type of cell the cancer originates from: adenocarcinoma,
alveolar cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell, and
small cell carcinomas.
malignant mesothelioma
A very rare form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure that occurs
in the sac lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen
(peritoneal mesothelioma), or the lining of the heart (pericardial
mesothelioma).
median
Middle number in a series of numbers (for example: median survival
of 10 months means that for that specific group of patients the
survival varied from probably 2 months to 30 months).
mediastinoscopy
A tube is inserted through an incision above the breastbone to look
at the area between the lungs
mesoderm
The middle layer of cells in an embryo, from which the muscular,
skeletal, vascular, connective etc. tissues develop.
mesothelial cells
Specialized cells forming a tissue called the mesothelium which
lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around
the heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most internal
organs.
mesothelioma
A tumor of the mesothelium, that can be benign (localized) or malignant
(diffusely spread), and that is most commonly caused by the ingestion
of asbestos particles.
mesothelioma panel
National pathology reference panel for the diagnosis of mesothelioma
which grades individual tumors according to the degree of diagnostic
certainty.
mesothelium
A layer of specialized cells forming a thin membrane that lines
certain body cavities: where it covers the lungs and the inner surfaces
of the chest wall, it is called the pleura; where it covers the
organs of the abdominal cavity and the inner surfaces of that cavity,
it is called the peritoneum; where it constitutes the sac that surrounds
the heart, it is called the pericardium.
metastases
The spread of tumor cells from one part of the body to another unrelated
part of the body by the way of the bloodstream or lymphatics.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a diagnostic procedure that uses a magnetic
field to provide three-dimensional images of internal body structures.
needle biopsy
A procedure where a needle is inserted through a bronchoscope or
the chest wall to collect tissue or fluid.
neoplasm
New growth or tumor which may be benign or malignant.
oncologist
A physician specializing in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
oncology
The branch of medicine devoted to cancer diagnosis and treatment.
palliative
Of a treatment which serves to alleviate symptoms. Palliative therapy
does not attempt to cure or alter the course of a disease, but improve
the quality of life.
oara occupational exposure
Exposure to asbestos through the fibers that cling to worker's clothing,
shoes, skin and hair.
pathologist
A specialist physician expert in the origin and development of disease
and the microscopic analysis of body tissues.
peer review
An examination and evaluation of the performance of a professional
or technician by a board or committee made up of people in the same
occupation.
peritoneal
Having to do with the peritoneum (the tissue that lines the abdominal
wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen).
peritoneum
A thin membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and partially covers
some of the abdominal organs.
PET scan
Positron Emission Tomography test used to verify misothelioma diagnosis.
pleura
A thin membrane that covers the lungs (visceral pleura) and lines
the chest cavity (parietal pleura) malignant: harmful, dangerous
(a malignant tumor is a cancer).
plueral effusion
Accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest
cavity.
pleural mesothelioma
Cancer of the pleura (membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity).
Pleural Mesothelioma is different from lung cancer, which refers
to any type of malignant tumor that originates in the lungs, while
Pleural Mesothelioma effects the pleura.
pleurectomy
A surgical procedure to remove part of the chest or abdomen lining
(pleura) and some of the tissue around it.
pleurodesis
A treatment administered through a thorascopy or existing chest
tube.
pneumonectomy
Surgical procedure to remove the entire lung.
pneumoconiosis
Fibrosis and scarring of the lungs as a result of repeated inhalation
of occupationally associated dust, such as silica, asbestos, and
coal dust.
prognosis
Prediction of the probable course of the disease in an individual.
Prognostic factors are factors associated with prognosis.
pulmonary function test (PFT)
An examination measuring an individual's lung capacity, speed of
exhalation, and oxygenation after a period of exertion. This type
of test in useful in the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), occupational lung disease, emphysema, and asthma.
pulmonologist
A specialist physician expert in the treatment of lung disease.
respirator
A device to protect the wearer from inhalation of harmful contaminants,
classified by the amount of face coverage it provides and its method
of protection, e.g. a half-face, negative-pressure, air-purifying
respirator; or a full-face, pressure demand, supplied air respirator.
risk factor
Something that increases the likelihood of cancer.
screening
Testing for disease in people without symptoms.
silicosis
A form of chronic lung disease which develops after prolonged exposure
to silica (quartz) dust.
SV40
Simian Virus 40, a monkey virus that contaminated the polio vaccine
administered to 98 million Americans from 1955 to 1963, and has
been associated with a number of rare human cancers. One controversial
theory links SV40 to mesothelioma.
TLV defense
Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) are much-criticized air contaminant
standards for the workplace devised and published by a private organization
called the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH) and adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA). The typical TLV defense, used as a shield from liability
in personal injury lawsuits, quotes the ACGIH saying that TLVs are
"thought to be safe for workers -- based on the best available
information."
TNM staging
Assigning a stage to the tumor based on size, local versus disseminated
growth, lymph node involvement and presence or absence of distant
metastases.
tremolite
A basic calcium, magnesium, iron silicate, one of six naturally
occurring fibrous minerals forming the group called asbestos. Occurs
as translucent bright- to gray-green tough interlocking fibers which
are flexible and elastic. Tremolite has not been used commercially,
although it is sometimes a contaminant in asbestos-containing products.
trimodality therapy
Therapy of malignant pleural mesothelioma involving extrapleural
pneumonectomy (removal of the lung) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy
and radiotherapy. Trimodality therapy appears to help prolong life,
though initial surgery does carry significant risks.
tumor
A mass of tissue; a growth independent of its surrounding structures
and having no physiological function; a neoplasm. A tumor can be
benign or malignant.
vermiculite
A lightweight and highly water-absorbent micaceous mineral that
is sometimes used as a substitute for asbestos.
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