Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the mesothelium, the thin tissue that covers the lungs and lines the chest wall and abdomen. It usually starts around the lungs but can also begin in the abdomen or other organs, and the condition is serious as well as uncommon. Asbestos exposure is the major risk factor, typically through work or living in places where fibres were inhaled or swallowed, and the cancer takes a long time to develop after exposure. Common features are breathlessness, cough, pain under the rib cage, abdominal pain, swelling or lumps, blood clots, tiredness and unexplained weight loss. Because it can resemble lung cancer, diagnosis relies on a physical examination, imaging and biopsy. Treatment may combine surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy such as nivolumab, with palliative measures to relieve symptoms.

See a doctor without delay for a new lump, a sore that does not heal, unexplained bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or a persistent change in bowel or bladder habit. Take up screening invitations: most cancers are easier to treat when found early. Call the local emergency number for any symptom that is sudden and severe. This page is a reference for healthcare professionals and does not replace an assessment.