Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon cancerous tumor. It mainly affects the lining of the lung and chest cavity (pleura) or lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). It is often due to long-term asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma - malignant; Malignant pleura mesothelioma (MPM)
Long-term exposure to asbestos is the biggest risk factor. Asbestos is a fire-resistant material. It was once commonly found in insulation, ceiling and roofing vinyls, cement, and car brakes. Even though many asbestos workers smoked, experts do not believe smoking itself is a cause of this condition.
Older veterans make up 30% of the cases of mesothelioma due to exposure in the military ship, vehicle, and plane industry.
Men are affected more often than women. The average age at diagnosis is 75 years. Most people seem to develop the condition about 30 years after being in contact with the asbestos.
Symptoms may not appear until 20 to 40 years or longer after exposure to asbestos, and may include:
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain, especially when taking a deep breath
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Fever and sweating
Malignant mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat.
There is usually no cure, unless the disease is found very early and the tumor can be completely removed with surgery. Most of the time, when the disease is diagnosed, it is too advanced for surgery. Chemotherapy or radiation may be used to reduce symptoms. Combining certain chemotherapy medicines may help decrease symptoms, but it will not cure the cancer. Immunotherapy is now a common addition to the treatment of mesothelioma.
Participating in a clinical trial (test of new treatments), may give the person more treatment options.
Pain relief, oxygen, and other supportive treatments may also help relieve symptoms.
Martin North Robert And Carol Weissman Cancer Center
Evan Alley is a Hematologist Oncology provider practicing medicine in Stuart, Florida. Dr. Alley is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesothelioma. He is also highly rated in 16 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), and Metastatic Pleural Tumor. Dr. Alley is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine, 2002.
Duke Cancer Center
With over 20 years of experience as a busy general thoracic surgeon, I am referred patients with cancers in the chest and other difficult problems involving all the organs of the chest that are not from cancer. One of the things that attracted me to the field is the long-term relationship with my patients. I tell all my patients that I’m their doctor for life. I see patients for many, many years. Back in 2000, when we had a 26-inch snow here -- it was a Tuesday -- on my clinic day, everyone said no one would come to clinic. But I actually had 23 or 24 patients show up in four-wheel drives. It’s not that I’m such a fabulous doctor that they came to see me. It’s that they are cancer patients and this was their annual visit or their follow up. It was important to them. So we were here for them, and they came. I enjoy seeing my patients back 12, 13, 14 years later and learning what they’ve been up to and what their families have been up to. That’s a bond you get in oncology that a lot of other fields don’t have that treat patients then turn them back over to their primary care physicians. We as a team follow people, and I like that. Dr. Harpole is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesothelioma. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Endoscopy, and Advanced Bronchoscopy. Dr. Harpole is board certified in American Board Of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic And Cardiac Surgery and American Board Of Surgery, General Surgery.
Abramson Cancer Center Penn Presbyterian
Keith Cengel is a Radiation Oncologist practicing medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Cengel is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesothelioma. He is also highly rated in 38 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Metastatic Pleural Tumor, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), and Liver Embolization. Dr. Cengel is board certified in Radiation Oncology, 2008. Dr. Cengel is currently accepting new patients.
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.
The survival time varies greatly from several months to several years. The outlook depends on:
- The location of the mesothelioma
- The cell type of the mesothelioma
- The stage of the tumor
- The person's age and general health
- Whether surgery is an option
- The person's response to treatment
You and your family may want to start thinking about end-of-life planning, such as:
- Palliative care
- Hospice care
- Advance care directives
- Health care agents
Complications of malignant mesothelioma may include:
- Side effects of chemotherapy or radiation
- Continued spread of cancer to other organs
Make an appointment with your provider if you have symptoms of malignant mesothelioma.
Avoid exposure to asbestos.
Background: A germline mutation is a change to a person s genes that is carried through their DNA. These mutations can be passed on from parents to their offspring. Germline mutations in a gene called BAP1 are linked to the development of mesothelioma and other cancers. Researchers want to follow people with these mutations to learn more.
Summary: Biotherapies are biological (extracted from an organism or living tissue) or biotechnological drugs used in the treatment of multiple conditions, such as autoimmune inflammatory diseases, cancers, and hematologic diseases. In recent years, these biotherapies have notably emerged in the treatment of cancers and hematologic disorders. As such, most patients with cancers or hematologic diseases will ...
Published Date: May 01, 2026
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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National Cancer Institute website. Malignant mesothelioma treatment (PDQ) -- Health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/mesothelioma/hp/mesothelioma-treatment-pdq. Updated May 12, 2025. Accessed May 12, 2026.
Rossetti NE, Tohmasi S, Onaitis MW, Kozower BD. Lung, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Tyler DS, Hayes-Dixon A, Hines OJ, et al, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 110.