Health Encyclopedia

Mesothelioma (benign-fibrous)

Definition

Benign mesothelioma is a noncancerous tumor of the lining of the lung and chest cavity, an area called the pleura.

Alternative Names

Mesothelioma - benign; Mesothelioma - fibrous; Localized fibrous tumor of the pleura; Pleural fibroma

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Nonmalignant mesothelioma affects men more frequently than women.

Symptoms

Approximately half of persons with this disease are asymptomatic, which means they do not show any symptoms.

If the tumor grows to a large size and pushes on the lung, it can lead to shortness of breath.

Other symptoms include:

Chest pain
Chronic cough

Signs and tests

During a physical examination, the health care provider may notice a clubbed appearance of the fingers. The tumor is usually found by accident when a chest x-ray is done for other reasons.

Other tests that may show benign mesothelioma include:

Treatment

Treatment is usually needed to remove the tumor.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome is expected to be good with prompt treatment. The condition may return in about 1 out of 10 cases. It may reoccur as long as 10 years later.

Complications

Pleural effusion (fluid escaping into the membranes around the lungs) is a complication.

Calling your health care provider

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

References

Vinod S, Mehetri G, Hegde KK. Benign fibrous mesothelioma. Radiology. 2006; 16(3):293-294.

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

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

Review Date:8/29/2008
Reviewed By:Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, Washington; and Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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