Mesothelioma Glossary B

Click on the letters below for an explanation of the glossary terms for each letter.

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Basilar - pertaining to the base part of an organ

Benign - a tumor that is not malignant. Benign tumors can often be removed with surgery and usually do not recur.

Benign pleural effusion - nonmalignant effusion, a clear viscous serofibrinous fluid (occasionally bloody), found in the pleural cavity. It is often accompanied by pleural thickening.

Benign pleural mesothelioma - a form of noncancerous tumor that can occur in the chest. This name, however, is misleading. Benign mesothelioma does not begin in the same cells where the cancerous forms of mesothelioma begin. In some cases, benign mesothelioma can be very aggressive. Some doctors refer to this tumor as solitary fibrous tumor.

Bilateral pleural thickening - thickening of the pleura of both sides of the lungs

Biomarkers - a protein or compound easily detectable in the body that indicates an exposure has occurred.

Biopsy - a procedure performed with a needle or surgical incision to remove a tissue sample to determine the presence of cancer cells through microscopic examination and/or culture

Biphasic - a mesothelioma which has both epithelial and sarcomatoid elements. Also called a mixed mesothelioma.

B-Reader - a person certified by NIOSH as qualified to interpret chest X-rays especially for dust disease, including asbestos disease

Bronchi - the larger air passages of the lungs - the two main branches of the windpipe

Bronchiectasis - a chronic inflammatory or degenerative condition of one or more bronchi or bronchioles, marked by dilation or loss of elasticity of the chest walls

Bronchogenic carcinoma - a primary malignant tumor originating in the bronchus of a lung

Bronchogenic lung cancer - lung cancer arising in the airways (breathing tubes) of the lungs

Bronchiole - a small division of a bronchus

Bronchitis - inflammation of the bronchial tubes

Bronchopleural fistula - a complication after extrapleural pneumonectomy where there is a leakage of air from the closed bronchial tube

Bronchoscopy - a thin, lighted tube (bronchoscope) inserted through the nose or mouth to examine the breathing passages at the entrance to your lungs

Bronchus - one of the two terminal divisions of the trachea, each of which carries air to one lung

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.