Mesothelioma Medical Glossary

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MACROPHAGE: a type of immune cell found in tissues that phagocytizes (engulfs and destroys) particles as part of its function.

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI): a procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as CT or x-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

MALAISE: feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness; often the first indication of an infection or other disease.

MALIGNANT: In regard to a tumor, having the properties of cancer that can invade and destroy nearby tissue and that may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

MEDIAN: middle number in a series of numbers (for example: median survival of 10 months means that for that specific group of patients the survival varied from probably 2 months to 30 months).

MEDIASTINOSCOPY: a procedure in which a tube is inserted into the chest to view the organs in the area between the lungs and nearby lymph nodes. The tube is inserted through an incision above the breastbone. This procedure is usually performed to get a tissue sample from the lymph nodes on the right side of the chest.

MEDIASTINUM: area of the thoracic cavity between the lungs that contains the heart.

MESOTHELIAL CELLS: Specialized cells that form the mesothelium.

MESOTHELIOMA: a 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).

MESOTHELIUM: The protective membrane that surrounds the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, the cavity around the heart, and the internal reproductive organs.

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 other sites.

MIXED TYPE MESOTHELIOMA: cancer involving the epithelial and mesenchymal cells of the mesothelium.

MUTAGEN: a substance that causes mutations (genetic damage).

MUTATION: a change (damage) to the DNA, genes, or chromosomes of living organisms.

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