Mesothelioma Medical Glossary

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CACHEXIA: loss of body weight and muscle mass, and weakness that may occur in patients with cancer, AIDS, or other chronic disease. Cachexia is a common manifestation of late stage mesothelioma.

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

CANCER: an abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, in some cases, to metastasize (spread).

CANCER CENTER: a hospital that specializes only in the care of patients with cancer. An NCI designated cancer center is specifically recognized and partially funded by the National Cancer Institute.

CARCINOGENIC: substances that produce cancer or cancer growth.

CARCINOMA: a form of cancer that arises from epithelial cells. Carcinomas may invade surrounding tissue and organs.

CARDIOLOGIST: a specialist in the treatment of conditions related to the heart who would perform the appropriate tests to see if a patient is functionally able to tolerate surgery for mesothelioma.

CATHETER: a tube which could be used to drain urine from the bladder; an intravenous catheter is used to give fluids in the vein.

CHEMOTHERAPY: drug treatment to destroy cancer cells.

CHEST X-RAY: a chest x-ray is a radiology test that involves exposing the chest briefly to radiation to produce an image of the chest and the internal organs of the chest. Chest x-rays can be used to define abnormalities of the lungs such as excessive fluid, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, cysts, and cancers.

CHRONIC: occurring over a long time.

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: type of asbestos with a white curly fiber, chrysotile accounts for 90% of asbestos in products and is a member of the serpentine group. It is a magnesium silicate.

CISPLATIN: platinum-containing chemotherapy agent that works by binding to DNA of tumor cells.

CLINICAL TRAILS: research studies that test how new medical treatments and other interventions work in people. Tests may be preventative, diagnostic or therapeutic.

COMPLAINT: the document filed with the court stating the facts of your case and your legal claims against the asbestos companies.

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM): forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments. These practices generally are not considered standard medical approaches. CAM may include dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation.

COMPLETE RESPONSE: the disappearance of all signs of cancer in response to treatment. This does not always mean the cancer has been cured. Also called a complete remission.

CONTAMINANT: a substance that is present in a certain amount of soil, water, air, food, blood, hair, urine, breath, or any other media.

CROCIDOLITE: a member of the amphibole group of asbestos, crocidolite takes the form of blue, straight fibers. It is sodium iron magnesium silicate.

CRYOSURGERY: the use of an extremely cold probing instrument to destroy unwanted abnormal tissues.

CT SCAN: a type of x-ray that takes cross-sections of the body (like slices). Much more precise than typical x-rays.

CURATIVE TREATMENT: treatment aimed at producing a cure. Compare with palliative treatment.

CYTOLOGY: the branch of biological science that deals with the structure and function of cells. In asbestos cases, it often refers to the testing of liquid removed from the outside of the lung.

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