Glossary - P
Pain: uncomfortable feeling that is triggered by the nervous system. Pain comes in a variety of types and intensities, and usually occurs as a result of some type of tissue damage.
Palliative: something which provides temporary relief, but not a cure. This term is usually used in reference to palliative medical treatments.
Palliative Treatment: this type of treatment is designed to relieve pain and other symptoms of disease, but are not able to cure it. These types of treatments are carried out to improve quality of life rather than to improve prognosis.
Paracentesis: a procedure that is used to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma and other diseases affecting the abdomen. In this procedure a long, thin, hollow needle is inserted into the abdomen and used to withdraw a sample of fluid.
Parenchyma: the functional parts of an organ. In the lungs, for example, the parenchymal tissues include alveoli and bronchioles.
Parietal Pleura: the portion of the pleura that lines the inner surfaces of the chest wall and covers the diaphragm.
Pathogenicity: the pathogenicity of an organism such as a virus or bacteria is the ability of that organism to cause disease.
Pathologist: a doctor who is specialized in the analysis of body tissues and organs, or in the origins of diseases.
Pathology: a medical specialty that involves the examination of organs, body fluids, tissues, and cells, to study and diagnose diseases.
Pericardial Mesothelioma: a type of mesothelioma that develops in the membranous lining that surrounds the heart. Around 5% of all cases of mesothelioma are pericardial.
Pericardium: a thin membranous lining that surrounds and protects the heart.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma: a type of mesothelioma that develops in the membranous lining of the abdomen. Around 25% of all cases of mesothelioma are peritoneal.
Peritoneum: a membranous lining that surrounds the abdominal cavity.
Permissible Exposure Limit: the highest level of exposure to a substance that is considered safe. For example, the permissible exposure limit of asbestos is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air, with exposure lasting a maximum of eight hours per session.
PET Scan: a Positron Emission Tomography Scan is a medical imaging scan used for diagnostic purposes. In this procedure a person is injected with radioactive glucose, then scanned using imaging equipment. Cancer cells use glucose more quickly than healthy cells, so the images can determine where cancer is located.
Phagocytosis - the process by which cells digest particles that they have ingested. Some cells, such as macrophages, are 'professional' phagocytes, and one of their main functions is ingesting and breaking down dead cells, bacteria and viruses, and other debris.
Phenotype - the observable characteristics of any organism. The phenotype is a combination of an organism's genotype (genetic characteristics) and environmental influences.
Photodynamic Therapy - a cancer treatment that involved sensitizing cancer cells to light, then treating the patient with light of a certain wavelength. Following the treatment, cancer cells are selectively killed.
Pill - a precisely measured dose of medicine that comes in solid form. A pill is usually a small, flat, round object.
Platelet - blood cells that are involved in blood clotting. These are also called thrombocytes.
Pleura - a thin membrane that surrounds and protects the lungs, and lines the chest cavity.
Pleural Cavity - the space inside the chest that contains the lungs, and is enclosed by the pleura.
Pleural Effusion - an accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, between pleural membrane layers.
Pleural Fluid - fluid is normal present in the pleural cavity, and covers the pleural membrane to provide lubrication. Abnormal build-up of fluid in the pleura is called an effusion.
Pleural Mesothelioma - a type of mesothelioma that develops in the pleural membranes of the lungs. This is the most common type of mesothelioma, and accounts for around 70% of cases.
Pleural Plaques - areas of scar tissue that develop on the lung as a result of long-term exposure to inhalable asbestos. These are a precursor to asbestosis.
Pleurectomy - a surgical procedure in which part of the lining of the lungs is removed. Part of the abdominal lining, or surrounding tissue, may also be removed.
Pleurodesis - a procedure in which drugs or chemicals are used to induce inflammation between pleural layers. This inflammation prevents further episodes of pleural effusion.
Pneumoconiosis - lung scarring and fibrosis that occurs after repeated exposure to and inhalation of dusts such as coal, asbestos, and silica.
Pneumonectomy - a surgical procedure in which one lung is completely removed.
Pneumonitis - general inflammation of lung tissue. This inflammation can have a variety of different causes. Pneumonia, for example, is lung inflammation caused by bacterial infection.
Pneumothorax - the collapse of one or both lungs, caused by accumulation of gas or air in the pleural cavity, or resulting from injury or disease.
Primary - the first or most important in a series or list. In medical terms, often refers to primary tumors.
Primary Tumor - the first tumor that grows when a person develops cancer. Knowing the location of the primary tumor is important for correct diagnosis and treatment of many types of cancer.
Prognosis - a doctor's estimate of the outcome of a disease. The prognosis may include details such as changes for improvement or recovery, life expectancy and the expected effects of a disease on a person's body.
Progressive Disease - a disease that is becoming more severe or widespread in the body. In terms of cancer this often means that the disease has spread to other locations, or that tumors are growing in size more rapidly.
Protein - one of the basic 'building blocks' of life. Protein is one of the main components of all cells and proteins are essential for many of the body's biological processes.
Proto-oncogenes - genes that can cause a cell to become cancerous if they mutate or otherwise become defective.
Protocol - a clinical trial plan that includes details about the purpose of the trial, and how the trial will be carried out.
Pulmonary - tissues, processes, diseases, or other medical factors that relate to the lungs.
Pulmonary Fibrosis - fibrosis that occurs in the lungs. Fibrosis is scar tissue that forms in response to injury and damage.
Pulmonary Function Tests - medical tests that are used to determine how well the lungs function. These tests measure factors such as lung capacity, and how well the lungs are able to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Pulmonologist - a doctor that is specialized in diagnosing and treating lung conditions.
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