lung and airway disorders
Mesothelioma
Introduction
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the mesothelium, which is the thin, transparent membrane that lines the pleura and covers and lines the inside of the chest wall and abdomen. The most common symptoms are persistent chest pain and shortness of breath. A chest CT scan and pleural biopsy are used to make the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. (See also Overview of Asbestos-Related Disorders and The term mesothelioma (sometimes called malignant mesothelioma) refers to a primary cancer of the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a family of naturally occurring silicates (minerals) whose heat-resistant and structural properties are useful in construction and shipbuilding materials, automobile brakes, and some textiles. The risk of mesothelioma depends on the level of asbestos exposure. However, cases are known to occur at low levels of exposure. Mesotheliomas usually develop about 30 to 50 years after exposure. Risk is independent of whether the person has a history of smoking. In addition to occupational exposure, mesothelioma can occur as a result of para-occupational (or take-home) exposure to asbestos. Asbestos can be found in low levels in the air, water, and soil, but this low level of environmental exposure is not a significant contributor to human disease. Smoking is not a cause of mesothelioma. 