Mesothelioma Medical Glossary

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BACKGROUND LEVEL: the average or expected amount of a substance in a specific environment.

BILATERAL: disease in both lungs.

BIOMARKERS: a protein or compound easily detectable in the body that indicates an exposure has occurred.

BIOPSY: the removal of cells or tissues for examination under a microscope. When only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy or core 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 or fine-needle aspiration. Pleural biopsies are used to make the diagnosis of mesothelioma.

BIPHASIC: a mesothelioma which has both epithelial and sarcomatoid elements. Also called a mixed mesothelioma.

B-READER: a person certified by NIOSH as qualified to interpret chest x-rays especially for dust disease, including asbestos disease.

BRONCHI: the two main air passages leading from the windpipe (trachea). They allow air to move in and out of the lungs.

BRONCHIOLE: one of the smaller subdivisions of the bronchi.

BRONCHOGENIC CARCINOMA/CANCER: a type of lung cancer.

BRONCHOPLEURAL FISTULA: a complication after extrapleural pneumonectomy in which there is a leakage of air from the closed bronchial tube.

BRONCHOSCOPY: a thin, lighted tube (bronchoscope) inserted through the nose or mouth to examine the breathing passages at the entrance to your lungs.

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.

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