Mesothelioma Glossary E

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

A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X   Y   Z  

Echasia - a stretching of the alveolar spaces characteristic of emphysema

Echocardiogram - a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. The picture is much more detailed than an X-ray image and involves no radiation exposure.

Edema - an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity (peritoneal or pleural), causing swelling, distention, and compression. It is usually associated with cardiac insufficiency or with kidney malfunction.

Effusion - the abnormal escape of a fluid from anatomical vessels by rupture or exudation; also free fluid within a joint or cavity

Electron microscopy - microscopic study utilizing streams of electrons deflected from their course by an electrostatic or electromagnetic field for the magnification of objects. Images may be magnified up to 400,000 diameters.

Embolism, pulmonary - the lodging of a blood clot in a pulmonary artery with subsequent obstruction of blood supply to the lung parenchyma

Emphysema, pulmonary - a chronic disease of the lungs in which enough functional units (alveoli) have been destroyed by disease to prevent proper exchange of gases within the units. As a result, new air in the lung spaces cannot be efficiently utilized for oxygenation purposes.

Empyema - an accumulation of pus within a cavity, especially the chest cavity

Endoscope - thin, flexible tube with a light beam and a tiny camera that transmits images back to a video monitor. Used to visualize internal parts of the body.

Endoscopic ultrasound - a procedure where an instrument using ultrasonic waves is introduced into the digestive track. The device can detect tumors anywhere from the mouth to the colon. If a tumor is located, a fine needle is used to take a biopsy for examination by a pathologist.

Endostatin - a fragment of a protein, collagen 18, found in all blood vessels. This fragment is normally secreted by tumors. It appears to halt the process of developing new blood vessels (angiogenesis) that is necessary to tumor development. Endostatin may represent a prototype for a new class of agents with which to treat cancer.

Epidemiology - the science of dealing with incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population.

Epithelioma - a benign or malignant tumor derived from epithelial tissue

Epithelium - the layer of cells forming the surface of skin and mucous membranes.

Esophagitis - inflammation of the. This most frequently occurs in the area of chest radiation after an operation for mesothelioma.

Esophagus - the tube that takes food from the mouth into the stomach.

Etiology - the study of the causes of diseases

External radiation therapy - radiation therapy using a machine located outside the body to aim high-energy rays at the cancer. Most commonly used after removal of an entire lung for mesothelioma.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy - surgery to remove a diseased lung, part of the pericardium, part of the diaphragm, and part of the parietal pleura. This type of surgery is used most often to treat malignant mesothelioma.