Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue that lines the lungs, abdomen, heart and other organs. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for roughly 75% of all cases and affects the lining around the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type, affecting the abdominal lining. Both are treatable, with surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy advances meaningfully extending survival.

Mesothelioma develops slowly as irritation and inflammation gradually cause healthy cells to mutate into cancerous ones. This means people often don’t experience noticeable symptoms for 20 to 60 years from their initial exposure. Even in the early stages of the disease, symptoms are often subtle or easy to miss, making early diagnosis difficult.

Its primary cause is exposure to asbestos, a group of naturally occurring minerals. Asbestos was once widely used in construction, shipbuilding and manufacturing. This put workers and their families at higher risk of mesothelioma.

A mesothelioma diagnosis raises urgent questions, and the answers depend heavily on disease type, stage and overall health. The pages below cover each of these topics to help patients and families understand their situation and make informed decisions about care.