Graphical top of the content well

Health Encyclopedia

Search health encyclopedia

Go

Mesothelioma (malignant)

Definition

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor of the pleura (lining of the lung and chest cavity) or peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) that is almost always caused by sustained exposure to asbestos.

Alternative Names

Malignant mesothelioma

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Malignant mesothelioma affects men more often than women. Sustained exposure to asbestos is the biggest risk factor. Symptoms may not appear until 20 to 50 years or even longer after exposure to asbestos.

The average age of diagnosis is 60. The tumor can spread rapidly to involve other nearby areas.

Symptoms

Signs and tests

Treatment

When found early, surgery may cure mesothelioma. Having chemotherapy and radiation before the surgery may help increase your chance for a cure.

When the disease is too advanced for surgery, chemotherapy or radiation may be used to reduce symptoms, but a cure is usually not possible.

Combining certain chemotherapy drugs may help decrease symptoms and improve survival.

Consider participating in a clinical trial (test of new treatments), which may give you additional treatment options.

Supportive treatment (such as pain relief and oxygen) may also help to relieve symptoms.

Support Groups

The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.

See:

Expectations (prognosis)

The average survival time varies from 4 to 18 months. However, your outlook depends on the stage of the tumor and whether surgery is an option.

Complications

Rapid spread of the tumor to other organs is a complication.

It can be hard to distinguish between this type of tumor and other conditions and tumors of the pleura, even when experienced pathologists are viewing biopsy samples.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of malignant mesothelioma.

Prevention

Avoid exposure to asbestos.

References

Mason RJ, Murray J, VC Broaddus, Nadel J. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005:1994-2002.

Grainger RC, Allison D, Adam, Dixon AK. Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 4th ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2001:339-341; 514-515.

Review Date:8/3/2007
Reviewed By:Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.

Florida Health Finder - Health Outcome Data
No data available for this condition/procedure.
Florida Health Finder - Health Encyclopedia
Images
More Features
end of graphical look of the webpage