Asbestos: These are drumhead shaped minerals which are coated with an iron containing mucoprotein.

Asbestosis: Lung Cancer caused due to the inhalation of Asbestos.

Biopsy: The microscopic confirmation of the presence of asbestos in the tissue.

Bronchitis: Inflammation of the Bronchial Tubes.

Coughing: This is an early symptom of Asbestosis. Dry cough is caused due to asbestos exposure and smoking.

Cytoxic: Cell which are toxic or poisonous.

Dyspnea: This is an early symptom of Mesothelioma Cancer. The word literally means shortness of breath.

Epithelioma: A tumor resulting from epithelial tissue.

Empyema: Accumulation of puss in the chest cavity.

Hypoxia: Lack of oxygen.

Ischemia: The lack of blood supply to a particular area.

Latency Period: The time between the exposure and the development of symptoms of Mesothelioma Cancer.

Mesothelioma: Malignant Cancer cells spreading across the surface of the lung, heart and abdominal cavity.

Pleura: The delicate membranes covering the chest wall which keeps the lungs together and to prevent friction while breathing.

Pneumonia: Inflammation of the lungs.

Subcutaneous: Beneath the skin.

Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue with no physiologic function.