Mesothelioma Glossary S

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

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Sarcoidosis - a chronic disease characterized by the presence of multiple, benign, tumor-like nodules in the lungs and in various other tissues

Sarcoma - a malignant tumor of the connective tissue. It spreads by extension or through the bloodstream into neighboring tissue.

Scan - the data or image obtained from the examination of organs or regions of the body by gathering information with a sensing device

Screening - testing for disease in people without symptoms

Self-advocate - a person working on behalf of oneself to take an active role in one's own cancer care treatment

Serous fluid - the clear yellowish fluid that exudes from injured or inflamed tissues

Serpentine asbestos - asbestos characterized by curly fibers with a layered or tiered structure. Chrysotile is a member of the serpentine group and is also the most common form of asbestos.

Side effects - signs or symptoms that can occur with treatment. Common side effects of cancer treatments may include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, numbness or tingling in the extremities, rash, and mouth sores.

Silicosis - a fibrogenic pneumoconiosis caused by inhaling crystalline free silica (quartz) dust and characterized by nodular pulmonary fibrosis

SOB - shortness of breath

Social worker - a professional who works with patients to help them with emotional, financial, insurance, and other resources that they may need during the course of their cancer care

Solitary fibrous tumor - is often called benign pleural mesothelioma. It is a form of noncancerous tumor that can occur in the chest. In some cases, it can be very aggressive. These tumors are not linked to asbestos exposure, and treatment typically includes surgery.

Spirometer - the instrument that measures the amount of air entering or leaving the lungs

Squamous cell - a flat cell of the skin

Squamous cell carcinoma - a malignant deterioration of some of the squamous cells of the skin, frequently arising in the larger bronchi and commonly spread by direct extension and lymph node metastasis

Stage - the extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body

Staging - describes the extent of a cancer and whether it has spread from the original site to other parts of the body

Subcutaneous - beneath the skin

Surgical biopsy - surgery performed to confirm a cancer diagnosis and to identify the type of cancer and its stage

Symptom - something that a patient experiences that is different from what is normal and that may be the result of a disease or its treatment

Synergistic effect - a biologic response to multiple substances where one substance worsens the effect of another substance. The combined effect of the substances acting together is greater than the sum of the effects of the substances acting by themselves. For example, this applies to asbestos and smoking.