Mesothelioma Glossary T

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  

Therapy - the treatment of disease

Thoracentesis - removal of fluid in the pleura through a needle

Thoracic - pertaining to the chest

Thoracoscopy - a way to examine a tumor through a small incision in the chest area using a tube attached to a video camera. A tissue sample may be taken at the same time. This test is used in cases where pleural or pericardial mesothelioma is suspected.

Thoracotomy - an incision in the chest to take a tissue sample and, if possible, to remove most or all of the visible tumor

Tissue - a term that is applied to any group of cells that perform specific functions

TLC (total lung capacity) - a measure of lung function

TLV (threshold limit value) - refers to airborne concentrations of substances and represents a condition where it is believed that workers may be repeatedly exposed day after day without adverse health effects

TNM system - describes the extent of a cancer's spread in Roman numerals from 0 through IV. It is also called the AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) staging system.

Toxicity - Side effect of chemotherapy, the underlying disease, or complication of treatment. These may include patient-felt or paper toxicities.

Trachea - main tube taking air into the lungs

Tremolite - a type of asbestos which has flexible fibers

Tumor - an abnormal growth of tissue. Tumors may be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).