Actinolite - A basic calcium, magnesium, iron silicate, one of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals forming the group called asbestos. Actinolite was never used in commercial products.

Adjuvant therapy - a supplemental treatment to the main medical procedure. This treatment usually comes in the form of radiation therapy or chemotherapy and is employed after surgery.

Advanced Cancer - the stages of cancer in which the disease has spread from its original location in the body.

Alveoli - tiny, thin-walled air sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange places. Asbestos fibers in the lungs cause scar tissue to form on the walls of the alveoli, decreasing oxygen intake.

Amosite - Another one of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals forming the group called asbestos. Amosite was a common form of asbestos used in commercial products and is light gray to pale brown in color.

Amphibole - A subgroup of asbestos characterized by crystals forming in a chain-like structure.

Amphibole asbestos - asbestos characterized by straight fibers with a chain-like structure. Two common forms are amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue).

Asbestos - is the commercial name given to a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral commonly used in construction materials and other products because of its high heat resistance, strength and durability. Over time, exposure to asbestos may lead to asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Asbestos Abatement - the removal of asbestos containing materials from structures. Only a licensed, experienced contractor should perform asbestos removal.

Asbestosis - a chronic, progressive condition of scar tissue build-up in the lungs resulting from the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Shortness of breath, increased risk of lung infection and permanent lung damage are common symptoms of asbestosis.

Asbestos Pleural Disease - a disease characterized specifically by scarring of the membranes lining the lungs and chest cavity.

Aspiration - the medical process of removing a small sample of tissue for testing with a needle-like suction device.

Biopsy - a tissue sample removed and analyzed to determine the presence of cancer cells.

Carcinogen - a substance that can cause cancer or help it grow.

Carcinogenic - Of that which is known to cause cancer. Asbestos is known an known carcinogen, or cancer-causing substance.

Carcinoma - Malignant tissue, usually in the form of a tumor originating in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

Chemotherapy - the treatment of cancer using chemicals or drugs that destroy cancer cells and tissues.

Chrysotile - Silicate of magnesium and one of the six fibrous minerals forming the group called asbestos. Chrysotile made up close to all of industrial asbestos and is the only "non-amphibole" asbestos-belonging to the serpentine category.

Crocidolite - a fibrous, lavender-blue mineral, also called blue asbestos. Although used less in construction and industry than other forms of asbestos, crocidolite is more commonly associated with mesothelioma.

Cryosurgery - the use of an extremely cold probing instrument to destroy unwanted abnormal tissues.

Epidemiology - The statistical study of the distribution and determinants of disease in populations.

Fibrosis - the development of excessive scar-like fibrous tissue. Punctures caused by asbestos fibers can lead to fibrous scar tissue build-up in the lungs.

Friable - Of a material which when dry, may be crumbled, crushed, pulverized, or reduced to powder by normal hand pressure.

Invasive cancer - Cancer characterized by spreading from its point of origination into other tissues and organs.

Latency period - The time elapsed from exposure to a carcinogen to the onset of disease. The latency period between exposure to asbestos to development of mesothelioma can last from 10 to 40 years.

Mesothelioma - a rare cancer, usually found in those exposed to asbestos, in the form of a malignant tumor in the mesothelium of the lungs and or abdomen. Symptoms of this incurable disease are persistent coughing or coughing of blood, chest or abdomen pain, fatigue, and weight loss.

Mesothelium - tissue that forms a lining around the chest, abdominal cavity and other organs. This tissue produces a lubricant fluid that protects organs and allows them to move.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma - cancer caused by inhaled asbestos fibers that affects the membrane lining the abdomen.

Pleural Mesothelioma - cancer caused by inhaled asbestos fibers that affects the membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity.

Pneumoconiosis - Fibrosis and scarring of the lungs as a result of repeated inhalation of respiratory irritants, such as asbestos.

Serpentine Asbestos - asbestos characterized by curly fibers with a layered or tiered structure. Chrysotile, or white asbestos, is a member of the serpentine group and is also the most common form of asbestos used in the U.S.

Statute of limitations - A law limiting the length of time a potential plaintiff has to file a lawsuit. These statutes vary depending on circumstances.

Tremolite - Once of the six varying forms of asbestos. Characterized by a translucent bright- to gray-green tough interlocking fibers which are flexible and elastic.