Glossary - B
Background Level - The amount of a specific substance found in the environment. Usually refers to chemicals or physical agents that occur naturally, but may also refer to man-made substances.
Benign - Most often used to describe a non-cancerous tumor. Often the illness or disease is not progressive, but may still pose a risk to an individual.
Bilateral - Denotes an illness or disease that affects both sides of the body, as opposed to only affecting one half or a portion of the body.
Biologic Therapy - A form of treatment or therapy that uses agents to assist the body's immune in fighting disease and ailments. Biologics may be made of sugars, proteins, nucleic acids or living cells.
Biomarkers - A Biomarker is typically a molecule that gives an indication of biological processes occurring in the body. They are used to monitor biological processes, the processes initiated by pathogens and to determine the responses of the body to therapy.
Biopsy - A procedure where cells are removed for study to determine if they may be cancerous or otherwise unhealthy.
Biphasic - A system that involves two steps or phases.
Blood - A bodily fluid containing many different substances that are crucial to the operation and health of the human body. The main ingredients of blood are red blood cells, white blood cells and plasma.
Brachytherapy - A radioactive source is placed in close proximity to, or even inside, an area that needs treatment. This kind of therapy is most popular in the treatment of cancers in the head and neck and prostate cancer.
B-Reader - A certification program instituted in 1974 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to regulate and standardize the reading of chest x-rays and radiographs. Those that complete the certification process are called B-Readers.
Breakthrough Pain - Pain that suddenly 'breaks through' a patient's pain management treatment or medication. The pain differs from person to person and does not often last long.
Bronchi - Plural form of the word bronchus, which are the main airways into the lungs.
Bronchiole - The tube like structures that bridge the gap between the bronchi and the alveoli in the lungs.
Bronchogenic Carcinoma/Cancer - Another term for lung cancer in general and specifically cancer of the bronchi or bronchiole.
Bronchopleural Fistula - A tear or hole in the bronchi or bronchiole that can potentially leak air.
Bronchoscopy - A procedure where a tube is inserted into the body, either through the mouth or nose, that allow medical professionals to see the components of the respiratory system and check for abnormalities.
Butchart Staging System - A staging system for mesothelioma developed by Dr. Eric Butchart intended to make diagnosing and treating mesothelioma easier and consistent.
- Early Detection of Mesothelioma Crucial
2008-04-28 13:30:11
When Brandon Benoit suffered a football injury last year, he never dreamed that getting treated for that injury could change his life—and perhaps save it. When Benoit was treated for his injuries ... [read more] - Could Caffeine Help Treat Mesothelioma?
2008-04-24 16:46:33
A mesothelioma research group has discovered that treatment with anti-cancer drug Pemetrexed may be more effective if patients are treated with caffeine before r ... [read more] - Mesothelioma Researchers to Receive Innovator Award
2008-04-24 16:44:14
The Kirk A. and Dorothy P. Landon Foundation, in conjunction with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), has created two new funding opportunities for scientists working on cancer resear ... [read more]
