Glossary

Glossary of terms related to mesothelioma and other diseases caused by exposure to asbestos, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer and stomach cancer.

Asbestos: the name given to a number of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. Asbestos is commonly used as an acoustic insulator, and in thermal insulation, fireproofing and other building materials. Many products in use today contain asbestos. Asbestos is a known carcinogen. There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos cancer: a lay term usually used to refer to mesothelioma, but which may also be used to refer to other types of cancer caused by asbestos, such as lung cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer and stomach cancer.

Asbestosis: a serious, progressive, long-term disease of the lungs. Asbestosis is not a cancer. Inhaling asbestos fibers that irritate and inflame lung tissues, causing the lung tissues to scar, causes asbestosis. The scarring makes it hard to breathe and difficult for oxygen and carbon dioxide pass through the lungs. Asbestosis generally progresses slowly. The latency period for the onset of asbestosis is typically 10-20 years after the initial exposure. The disease can vary from asymptomatic (no symptoms) to disabling and potentially fatal.

Abdomen: the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis with the exception of the back -- called also belly

Carcinogen: a substance or agent that causes cancer.

Chest: the part of the body between the neck and the abdomen.

Colon cancer: (also called colorectal cancer) cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon (the longest part of the large intestine). Symptoms include diarrhea or constipation, feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty completely, blood in the stool, stools that are narrower than usual, frequent gas pains or cramps, feeling bloated frequently, losing weight with no known reason, feeling very tired all the time, nausea and vomiting.

Esophageal cancer: cancer that forms in tissues lining the esophagus (the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach). Early esophageal cancer does not cause symptoms. After the disease progresses, symptoms may include difficult or painful swallowing, severe weight loss, hoarseness or chronic cough, vomiting, coughing up blood, pain in the throat or back, behind the breastbone or between the shoulder blades.

Laryngeal cancer: cancer that forms in the tissues of the larynx (voice box). Symptoms include a sore throat or cough that does not go away, trouble or pain when swallowing, ear pain, a lump in the neck or throat, and a change or hoarseness in the voice.

Lung cancer: is a malignant tumor that invades and obstructs the lung's air passages. Cigarette smoking increases the likelihood of a person developing lung cancer as the result of asbestos exposure. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are cough, wheezing, unexplained weight loss, coughing up blood, and labored breathing. Other symptoms of lung cancer include shortness of breath, persistent chest pain, hoarseness, and anemia. People who develop these symptoms do not necessarily have lung cancer, but they should consult a physician for advice.

Malignant: cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant mesothelioma: a cancerous tumor of the pleura (lining of the lung and chest cavity) or peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) caused by exposure to asbestos. In malignant mesothelioma, the cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma may not occur until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and weight loss.

Mesothelioma: a tumor or tumors affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen. Most cases of mesothelioma are malignant, and are caused by exposure to asbestos. A small number of cases of mesothelioma are benign, or non-cancerous. (See also malignant mesothelioma),

Mesothelioma attorney or mesothelioma lawyer: this is a lay term that is used by some people when searching for lawyers with experience handling mesothelioma lawsuits. There is no special certification available for attorneys to be considered “mesothelioma lawyers.” If you are suffering from malignant mesothelioma and are looking for an attorney to represent you to try to collect money from a settlement or lawsuit against the company that caused your disease, be sure to ask about the attorney’s experience in mesothelioma litigation.

Mesothelioma lawsuit: a lawsuit filed on behalf of a person suffering from malignant mesothelioma, or filed on behalf of the family of a person whose death was caused by malignant mesothelioma. A mesothelioma lawsuit is typically filed against a company or companies which caused the mesothelioma sufferer to be exposed to asbestos.

Mesothelium: a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it.

Peritoneal mesothelioma: malignant mesothelioma that affects the tissue surrounding the organs in the abdomen. This can cause weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.

Peritoneum: the mesothelial tissue that covers most organs in the abdominal cavity.

Pleura: the mesothelial tissue that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity.

Pleural effusion: an accumulation of fluid between the layers of the membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity.

Pleural mesothelioma: malignant mesothelioma that affects the membranes surrounding the lungs (the pleura). This can cause shortness of breath and pain in the chest.

Stomach cancer: cancer that forms in tissues lining the stomach. Also called gastric cancer. Symptoms include discomfort in the stomach area, feeling full or bloated after a small meal, nausea and vomiting, and unexplained weight loss.

Tumor: an abnormal benign or malignant new growth of tissue that possesses no physiological function and arises from uncontrolled, usually rapid, cellular proliferation.