The Mesothelioma SOS Glossary - R

Radiation Therapy
Treatment that uses high energey, penetrating waves to destroy cancer cells and keep them from reproducing.  Also known as radiotherapy, x-ray therapy, cobalt therapy, electron beam therapy, or irradiation.

Radical
Atoms that are capable of remaining unchanged during a series of chemical reactions.

Radiologist
Specialist in the field of radiology, the treatment that uses ionizing and nonionizing radiation to diagnose and treatment of disease.

Radionuclide Scan
Scan of the internal parts of the body.  A patient is given a small amount of radioactive material(injection,ingestion), and a machine measures the amount of radioactivity in certain organs.

Remission
The complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of disease.

Respirator
A machine, also known as a ventilator, that helps a person to breath when they are not able to breath properly themselves.  The respirator prevents the lungs from collapsing.

Risk Factor
Any facor that increases the chance of developing a disease, like cancer.  Examples of risk factors for cancer are age, family history, use of tobacco products, and obesity.