The Mesothelioma SOS Glossary - Pulmonary Therapy

Paracentesis
The process of inserting a thin needle into the peritoneal cavity(abdomen) to remove fluid.

Pathologist
Specialist in identifying specific diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.

Pemetrexed
Chemotherapy drug that works by inhibiting three enzymes used in purine and pyrimidine synthese(thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, glycinamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase).

Pericardial Mesothelioma
Cancer in the thin lining of tissue that surrounds the heart, called the pericardium.

Pericardium
The membrane surrounding the heart.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Cancer located in the stomach lining.

Peritoneum
Membrane covering the abdominal cavity as well as some of the abdominal organs.

Permissible Exposure Limit(PEL)
Legal standard published by OSHA for exposure to asbestos.  It may be measured in three ways; time-weighted-average, short-term exposure limit, and a ceiling measurement.

Photodynamic Therapy
Treatment for cancer that uses a laser light and a substance that causes a chemical reaction that destroys cancer cells.

Pleura
Thin membrane that covers and lines the chest cavity and the lungs.

Pleural Fluid
Fluid which accumulates in the chest cavity in the space surrounding the lung known as the pleural cavity.

Pleural Mesothelioma
Cancer of the pleura (membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity).

Pleurodesis
Process that uses chemicals to cause inflammation and adhesion between the layers of the pleura, it is meant to prevent the build-up of fluid in the pleural cavity.

Pneumonectomy
Surgical procedure to remove the entire lung.

Power of Attorney
Written instrument authorizing a person, the attorney in fact, to act as agent on behalf of another person to the extent indicated in the instrument.

Primary Care Doctor
Doctor that has managed a person's health care over an extended period of time.  A primary care doctor can help make long-term decisions and can help with prevention methods and treatments.

Prognosis
Projected outcome of a disease or injury.

Pulmonary Therapy
Treatments that include excercise and respiratory training to help patients to maintain and recover lung function.