Asbestos Information and Resources

Glossary of Mesothelioma Terms

These terms are some of the most common associated with mesothelioma:

Alveoli: Small air sacs in the lungs that assist the oxygen/blood exchange.

Asbestos: A term applied to the naturally occurring fibrous minerals used for insulation in industry, construction, and textile manufacturing.

Asbestosis: A non-cancerous condition caused by asbestos exposure that causes scarring and destruction of lung tissue.

Benign: A cancerous growth that does not pose a threat to other tissues.

Cancer: Uncontrolled cell growth generally caused by a mutation of cellular DNA. Cancer is either benign or malignant.

Chemotherapy: Drugs that kill cancer cells, but may also destroy normal, healthy cells.

Gene therapy: A new, innovative treatment method that affects the way the body recognizes cancer cells.

Malignant: A cancerous growth that will damage the body if left untreated.

Mesothelioma: A deadly cancer of the mesothelium, which is a lining surrounding the heart, abdomen and lungs.

Mesothelium: A cell membrane covering many internal organs and body cavities that releases a lubricating fluid that helps with organ movement.

Metastasize: When a cancerous growth spreads from a diseased organ or tissue to a healthy one.

Multimodal therapy: Employing more than one treatment method to destroy mesothelioma cells.

Pericardium: The sac surrounding the heart, which creates a fluid that helps the heart move easily.

Peritoneum: A membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity which produces a lubricating fluid to aid the stomach and intestines in movement.

Pleura: The membrane surrounding the lungs that releases a fluid which helps lungs move during inhaling and exhaling.

Radiation therapy: A treatment method that uses high energy to kill the genetic material inside cancerous cells.

Have you been diagnosed with Mesothelioma? Contact our Mesothelioma Lawyers now to protect your rights.

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