Indexes and glossaries are helpful. It makes it easy for you to just open up the glossary and search out the specific term that you need to find. The alternative is that you get hold of a dictionary and look up for the word you need to know. And if you are reading a book of medicine then there is no surety that you will be able to find the meaning of every new term. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer causing the protective layering of the organs of your body to obliterate.Here are some terms that you might need to know when going through a mesothelioma related site.  Asbestos - a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral popular in manufacturing and industry due to its strength, chemical and thermal stability. Types include: chrysotile (which accounted for 95% of industrial use), amosite and crocidolite.

Asbestosis - an asbestos-related disease which causes scarring of the lung tissue.

Ascites - a condition where fluid builds up in the peritoneal space of the abdomen. This is associated with peritoneal mesothelioma.

Biopsy - a procedure performed with a needle or surgical incision to remove a tissue sample to determine the presence of cancer cells through microscopic analysis.

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.

Carcinogenic - substances that produce cancer or cancer growth.

Chemotherapy - drug treatment to destroy cancer cells.

Clinical Trails - research studies that test new medical treatments and other interventions work in people. Tests may be preventative, diagnostic or therapeutic.

Endoscope - an illuminated optic instrument that is inserted through an incision.

Fibrosis - formation of fibrous, scar-like tissue.

Imaging Tests - takes pictures of the lungs and can detect problems such as a mass, an infection, air in the pleural space. Visual imaging tests include; chest x-rays, CTs (computed tomography).

Intrapleurally - inserting chemotherapy drugs directly into the chest cavity.

Intraperitoneally - inserting chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity. Intraoperative photodynamic therapy is a new treatment that uses special drugs and light to kill cancer cells. Its use in the early states of mesothelioma in the chest is being studied. Judgement - an official court order deciding the rights or claims of the parties in a legal proceeding.

Jurisdiction - A power constitutionally conferred upon a judge or magistrate, to take cognizance of and decide causes according to law and to carry his sentence into execution. The tract of land or district within which a judge or magistrate has jurisdiction, is called his territory.

Lawsuit - a legal action by one person or entity against another person or entity.

Latency Period - the period from initial exposure to a substance to the onset of the disease.

Lung Cancer - uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in lung tissue. 

Malignant Mesothelioma - A very rare form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure that occurs in the sac lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).- a tube is inserted through an incision above the breastbone to look at the area between the lungs

Mesothelioma - Malignant tumor of the mesothelium caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. 

Mesothelium - Tissue formed by specialized cells lining the chest, abdominal cavities and outer surface of most internal organs. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that helps organs by enabling them to move.

Metastases(s)/Metastasis - spread of disease from original site in the body to remote sites.

MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a diagnostic procedure that uses a magnetic field to provide three-dimensional images of internal body structures.

Needle biopsy - a procedure where a needle is inserted through a bronchoscope or the chest wall to collect tissue or fluid.

Negligence - Failure to exercise the care toward others which would reasonably be expected of a person in the circumstances, or taking action which a reasonable person would not.

Oncologist - A physician specializing in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Oncology - The branch of medicine devoted to cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Para Occupational Exposure - exposure to asbestos through the fibers that cling to worker’s clothing, shoes, skin and hair.

Pathologist - A specialist physician expert in the origin and development of disease and the microscopic analysis of body tissues. 

Peritoneal - Having to do with the peritoneum (the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen).

PET Scan - Positron Emission Tomography test used to verify misothelioma diagnosis.

Pneumoconiosis - Fibrosis and scarring of the lungs as a result of repeated inhalation of occupationally associated dust, such as silica, asbestos, and coal dust.

Pleura - membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity.

Plueral Effusion - accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. 

Pleural Mesothelioma - cancer of the pleura (membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity). Pleural Mesothelioma is different from lung cancer, which refers to any type of malignant tumor that originates in the lungs, while Pleural Mesothelioma effects the pleura. The pleura, is the tissue (pleural membranes) lining that surrounds the lungs. There are two pleura membranes that protect the lungs by producing a lubricating fluid that fills the space between the pleura and the lungs.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma accounting for 80-90% of mesothelioma cases.

Pleurectomy - a surgical procedure to remove part of the chest or abdomen lining (pleura) and some of the tissue around it.

Pneumonectomy - surgical procedure to remove the entire lung.

Pleurodesis - a treatment administered through a thorascopy or existing chest tube

Function Tests - measure how well the lungs are working and include: Spirometry, which measures the amount of air the lungs can hold; lung volume tests to measure the amount of air remaining in the lungs after exhaling; lung diffusion tests and pulse oximetry which measure the amount of oxygen passed from the lungs to the blood.

Pulmonologist - A specialist physician expert in the treatment of lung disease.

Radiation Therapy - treatment with high-energy rays to destroy or shrink cancer cells.

Risk Factor - something that increases the likelihood of cancer.

Screening - Testing for disease in people without symptoms.

Settlement - resolution of a lawsuit or legal dispute prior to a final court judgment.These are some of the terms that are explained in simple words for an ordinary mans comprehension. It is also appropriate to mention that the mesothelioma or any other cancer afflicted person to be aware of his legal rights. Trials are held for numerous cases where patients are not being treated in the proper way. Cases, in which deaths result because of negligence towards patients.

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