Mesothelioma Essentials: Mesothelioma Information, Support, and Resources
Mesothelioma Information, Support, and Resources
About Mesothelioma Treatments Clinical Trials Support/Discussion Resources and Further Reading Glossary

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  Glossary of terms related to Mesothelioma


  A | B-C | D | E-F | G-H | I-J-K | L-M | N-O-P | Q-R-S | T-U-V-Z

5-azacitidine

antimetabolite antineoplastic agent

adenocarcinoma

tumor of glandular epithelial tissue

adenovirus

family of common human viruses that cause a variety of respiratory and/or gastrointestinal symptoms

asbestos

group of fibrous silicate minerals used in products to provide insulation, resistance to fire and heat, and tensile strength

atelectasis

incomplete expansion of a portion of the lung or the whole lung

biopsy

removal of a small amount of tissue for laboratory analysis

calcification

process in which tissue becomes hardened as a result of calcium deposits

carboplatin

platinum-containing antineoplastic agent that works by cross-linking DNA

cisplatin

platinum-containing antineoplastic agent that works by binding to DNA of tumor cells

coalesce

to fuse or blend separate parts

computerized tomography (CT)

radiographic imaging technique that gives detailed anatomic information; involves projection of x-ray beams through the body and cross-sectional imaging of body planes via computer

contralateral

on the opposite side of the body relative to an organ affected by disease

cyclophosphamide

antineoplastic alkylating agent that works by cross-linking DNA

cytokine

chemical mediator produced by a variety of cell types that regulates immune responses and/or helps cells communicate

dacarbazine

antineoplastic alkylating agent

debulk

reduce the size or extent of tumor tissue by surgery

decortication

removal of the external layer of an organ

diaphragm

muscular, membranous partition that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities

diffuse

not limited or localized; widely distributed

diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma

see malignant pleural mesothelioma

doxorubicin

anthracycline antineoplastic agent that works by inserting itself between DNA strands and/or by alkylation

dyspnea

shortness of breath

epirubicin

anthracycline antineoplastic agent that works by inserting itself between DNA strands and/or by alkylation

epithelial mesothelioma

cancer involving the mesothelial lining cells

epithelium

cells that make up the membranous, protective tissue that covers most of the body’s internal and external structures

extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)

removal of the parietal and visceral pleurae, portions of the pericardium and diaphragm, and the entire lung

gemcitabine HCl

taxane antineoplastic agent that exerts its effects on microtubules

gene therapy

process of inserting a new gene into an organism to replace or repair gene function to treat a disease

gross pathology

refers to the functional and visible structural changes that result from disease processes

hilar

pertaining to the part of an organ where nerves and vessels enter and leave

histological

relating to the minute structure, composition, and function of tissues

ifosfamide

antineoplastic alkylating agent that works by cross-linking DNA

immunohistochemical

refers to use of antibody-antigen reactions to locate markers specific to certain tissues or cells

immunosuppressant

substance that reduces the effectiveness of the body’s defense mechanisms

immunotherapy

administration of agents that induce a pro-inflammatory response

intercostal nerves

nerves that serve the muscles between the ribs

interferon

substance that helps regulate immune responses

interferon-gamma (IF-)

substance that mediates immune responses; produced by T lymphocytes

interleukin

substance that mediates immune responses

ipsilateral

on the side of the body affected by disease

macule

small spot or thickening that is different in color from the surrounding tissue

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

diagnostic imaging technique using a magnetic field to provide three-dimensional images of interior body structures

malaise

feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness; often the first indication of an infection or other disease

malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)

cancer of the mesothelial membranes surrounding the lungs and lining the thoracic cavity

mediastinum

area of the thoracic cavity between the lungs that contains the heart

mesenchymal cell

cell that forms the supporting tissue of an organ or blood vessel

mesothelial cell

flat cell that forms the superficial layer of membranes lining the thoracic and abdominal cavities

mesothelium

continuous layer of mesothelial cells that lines the pleurae, pericardium, and peritoneum

metastases (s., metastasis)

spread of disease from one part of the body to remote sites

methotrexate

antimetabolite antineoplastic agent that works by interfering with normal synthesis of DNA

mitomycin C

antimetabolite antineoplastic agent that works by interfering with normal DNA synthesis

mixed type mesothelioma

cancer involving the epithelial and mesenchymal cells of the mesothelium

multi-targeted antifolate (MTA)

antineoplastic agent that inhibits the action of many enzymes

nodule

small, solid, slightly raised area

p-30 protein

antineoplastic agent that may inhibit cancer cell growth

paclitaxel

taxane antineoplastic agent that exerts its effects on microtubules

palliative

refers to an intervention that controls, reduces, or prevents symptoms but is not intended to cure the underlying disease

palpable

perceptible to touch

parietal pleura

portion of the pleura that lines the thoracic cavity and upper surface of the diaphragm

pathogenesis

events and reactions occurring in the development of a disease

pericardial mesothelioma

cancer of the mesothelial membrane covering the heart

pericardium

membrane that covers the heart

peritoneal mesothelioma

cancer of the mesothelial membrane lining the abdominal cavity

peritoneum

membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and its organs

photodynamic therapy

systemic administration of light-sensitive molecules that concentrate in malignant cells and produce compounds toxic to the cells upon exposure to light

photosensitizer

compound that causes a tissue or cell to be affected by light

pirarubicin

anthracycline antineoplastic agent; also known as THF-adriamycin

pleurae (s., pleura)

membranes that cover the lungs and line the chest cavity

pleural effusion

accumulation of excess fluid in the space between the pleurae

pleural mesothelioma

cancer of the membranes that cover the lungs and chest cavity

pleural space

cavity between the parietal and visceral pleurae

pleurectomy

removal of the parietal and visceral pleurae

pleuroscopy

examination of the pleural space with an endoscope inserted into a small incision in the chest wall

radiosensitive

readily affected by radiation

raltitrexed

antineoplastic agent that inhibits tumor cells from multiplying by interfering with cells’ ability to make DNA

resectable

amenable to resection (surgical removal of a diseased portion of a tissue)

sarcomatous mesothelioma

type of mesothelioma arising from the mesenchymal cells of the mesothelium

silicate

refers to a compound that occurs in many minerals and rocks, eg, quartz, sand, agate

simian virus 40 (SV40)

type of virus commonly found in monkeys; may produce infections in humans and malignancies in human cell cultures

subcarinal

denotes lymph nodes located below the bony ridge of the esophagus

thoracentesis

surgical puncture of the chest wall to aspirate fluid from the pleural space

thoracic

relating to the chest

thoracoscopy

see pleuroscopy

tuberculous pleuritis

inflammation of the pleura associated with tuberculosis

vincristine

vinca alkaloid antineoplastic agent

visceral pleura

portion of the pleura that covers the external surface of the lungs

   
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