Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which cancerous cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Tumors of the mesothelium can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Most mesothelial tumors are cancerous. Mesothelioma that occurs in the tissue that surrounds the lung (pleura) is called pleural mesothelioma.

Asbestus exposure is the most common risk factor associated with mesothelioma. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.

Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Testing may include: a chest X-ray, computed axial tomography (CAT scan) of the chest and abdomen, and a MRI of the chest. A lung pleural biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.A pleurectomy/decortication is the most common surgery, in which the lining of the chest is removed. Removing the affected lung and the tissue that surrounds it may relieve signs and symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. This procedure also allows doctors to use higher doses of radiation against any remaining mesothelioma, since doctors won't need to worry about protecting lung from damaging radiation.

Radiation is often given post-operatively as a consolidative treatment.

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