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Mesothelioma Help Center - Mesothelioma Dictionary

Mesothelioma Dictionary

Mesothelioma Dictionary of Legal & Medical Terms
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H

Hazard
Potential of harm from past, current, or future exposures.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
A form of health insurance combining a range of coverages in a group basis. A group of doctors and other medical professionals offer care through the HMO for a flat monthly rate with no deductibles. However, only visits to professionals within the HMO network are covered by the policy. All visits, prescriptions and other care must be cleared by the HMO in order to be covered. A primary physician within the HMO handles referrals.
Heart
The muscle that pumps blood from veins into arteries throughout the body. It is positioned in the chest behind the sternum (breastbone; in front of the trachea, esophagus, and aorta; and above the diaphragm muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities.) The normal heart is about the size of a closed fist, and weighs about 10.5 ounces. It is cone-shaped, with the point of the cone pointing down to the left. Two-thirds of the heart lies in the left side of the chest with the balance in the right chest.
Heated Chemoperfusion
The delivery of heated chemotherapy chemicals to the chest and/or abdomen in the operating room after the majority of the tumor is removed. A procedure in which a warmed solution containing anticancer drugs is used to bathe, or is passed through the blood vessels of the tissue or organ containing the tumor.
Hematamesis
Vomiting up blood.
Hematocrit (Hct)
The amount of red blood cells in the blood. A low hematocrit amount indicates anemia.
Hematologist
A doctor who specializes in finding and treating problems that are in the blood and blood-forming tissues, including bone marrow.
Hematology
The study of blood and its disorders.
Hematoma
A gathering of blood outside a blood vessel caused by a leak or an injury.
Hematuria
Blood in urine.
Hemidiaphragm
One half of the diaphragm.
Hemithorax
One side of the chest.
Hemoccult (Guaiac) Test
A test that looks for hidden blood in the stool.
Hemoglobin
Part of a red blood cell, that takes oxygen to tissues.
Hemoptysis
Coughing of blood as a result of respiratory tract bleeding. It is not to be confused with blood-streaked sputum, a common complaint, but is usually harmless and seen with an upper respiratory tract infection.
Hemorrhage
Loss of blood from damaged blood vessels. A hemorrhage may be internal or external, and involves a lot of bleeding in a short time.
Hemorrhagic Cystitis
Bladder ulcers.
Hemothorax
Blood in the pleural space.
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver that may be caused by several things, including viruses and toxins. Hepatitis is characterized by jaundice, enlarged liver, fever, fatigue and abnormal liver function tests.
Hepat(o)
Referring to the liver.
Hereditary Cancer Syndrome
Conditions with cancer that include several family members because of an inherited, mutated gene.
Herpes simplex
The most common virus that causes sores often seen around the mouth, commonly called cold sores.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1, HSV-2)
A herpes virus that causes blisters and recurring disease. HSV-1 usually produces lesions on the lips or in the mouth ("cold sores" or "fever blisters"); HSV-2 is usually sexually transmitted and lesions generally occur in the genital and/or anal area.
Herpes Virus
A group of viruses that includes herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV, HHV-3), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, HHV-4), cytomegalovirus (CMV, HHV-5), human herpesvirus types 6 and 7 (HHV-6, HHV-7) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV, HHV-8).
Herpes Zoster
A virus that is around certain nerves causing blisters, swelling, and pain. This condition is also called shingles.
Hickman Catheter
See central venous line.
High Risk
The chance of developing cancer is greater than that normally seen in the general population. People may be at high risk from many factors, including heredity (such as a family history of breast cancer), personal habits (such as smoking), or the environment (such as overexposure to sunlight).
Hilar
The part of an organ where nerves and vessels enter and leave.
Hilum
The root of each lung before moving into separate lobes.
Histochemistry
Study of the chemistry of cells and tissues by using both light and electron microscopy along with the use of special chemical tests and stains.
Histological
Relating to the structure, composition, and function of tissues.
Histology
The study of the structure and behavior of cells and body tissues, usually involving looking at microscopic tissue slices.
HLA
See human leukocyte antigen.
Hodgkin's Disease
A curable type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Named for the doctor who first identified it.
Hormone
Chemical substance released into the body by the endocrine glands such as the thyroid, adrenal, or ovaries. The substance travels through the bloodstream and sets in motion various body functions. For example, prolactin, which is produced in the pituitary gland, begins and sustains the production of milk in the breasts after childbirth.
Hormone Therapy
Treatment with hormones, drugs that interfere with hormone production or hormone action, or surgical removal of hormone-producing glands to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. The term also applies to the replacement of other hormones (androgens, thyroid, etc.) that are deficient because of organ failure.
Hospice
A concept of supportive care to meet the special needs of patients and family during the terminal stages of illness. The care may be delivered in the home or hospital by a specially trained team of professionals.
Hospital
It may seem unnecessary to define a "hospital" since everyone knows the nature of a hospital. A hospital began as a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
The virus that causes AIDS.
Human Leukocyte
Antigen a genetic "fingerprint" on white blood cells and platelets, it’s composed of proteins that play a critical role in activating the body's immune system to respond to foreign organisms.
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)
A genetic marker to show which cells is your body this prevents the immune system from attacking the body's own tissues.
Human Leukocyte Antigen Test (HLA)
A special blood test used to match a blood or bone marrow donor to a patient for transfusion or transplant.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
A papovavirus. Many strains of HPV cause warts, including condylomata acuminata (genital warts). Certain strains (e.g., 16, 18) are associated with cervical, anal and oral cancer.
Humoral Immunity (Antibody-Based Immunity, TH2 Response)
The immune response mediated by the Th2 subset of CD4 cells. Humoral immunity is stimulated by the cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, and carried out by plasma cells (derived from B-cells), which produce antibodies.
Hydration
The addition of water to the body; the replacement of body fluids by mouth or infusion.
Hydropneumothorax
A collection of fluid and air in the chest cavity resulting from lung disease or penetrating injuries of the chest wall.
Hydroxyurea (Hydrea)
An agent approved for the treatment of leukemia and ovarian cancer and under study as a treatment for HIV disease. Hydroxyurea interferes with viral replication by inhibiting the cellular enzyme ribonucleotide reductase, resulting in a reduction of the supply of the deoxyribonucleotides needed to synthesize new DNA.
Hyper
Excessive or increased.
Hyperalimentation
Putting nutrition other than food in the body, often intravenously. A intravenous dose of a highly nutritious solution
Hyperlucency
Overexposure to radiographic films
Hyperplasia
Too much growth of cells or tissue in a specific area, such as the lining of the breast ducts or the prostate. Hyperplasia is not cancerous, but when there is a lot of growth or the cells are not like normal cells, the risk of cancer developing is greater.
Hypersensitivity
Abnormal sensitivity; an exaggerated immune response to an antigen, drug, etc.
Hypertension
High Blood Pressure.
Hypertension, Pulmonary
A condition from increased pulmonary vascular resistance. As a consequence, the right ventricle is forced to generate a higher pulmonary artery pressure to maintain normal cardiac output.
Hyperthermia Therapy
Treatment of disease by raising body temperature.
Hypertrophy
Thickening and dilation.
Hypo
Less than usual.
Hypotension
Low blood pressure.
Hypoxia
Low oxygen.

Disclaimer: Mesothelioma Help Center’s Dictionary of Legal & Medical Terms is not designed to provide medical advice or professional services and is intended to be for educational use only. The information provided through Mesothelioma Help Center is not a substitute for professional care and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. If you have, or suspect you may have, a health problem you should consult your doctor. If you need legal help you should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer.

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Mesothelioma Symptoms

The most common Mesothelioma symptoms are the following:

Recent onset of shortness of breath (31%)
Recent increase in shortness of breath (30%)
Chest pain (43%)
 
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