Lungs & airwaysCancerICD-10 C45
Mesothelioma
A cancer of the pleura (the lining around the lungs) almost always caused by asbestos exposure decades earlier.
Condition-specific references are below. Individual claims and this page have not been clinically reviewed. Read about this content.
Causes
- Asbestos fibre exposure
Risk factors
- Work in construction, shipbuilding, insulation or demolition
- Household exposure from a worker's clothes
Symptoms
- Chest pain
- Breathlessness from pleural effusion
- Weight loss
- Sweats
Diagnosis — tests and examinations
- CT scan
- Pleural fluid cytology
- Thoracoscopic biopsy
Treatment
Medicines and medical treatment
- Immunotherapy (nivolumab plus ipilimumab)
- Chemotherapy (platinum and pemetrexed)
- Radiotherapy for pain
Operations and procedures
- Pleural drainage and pleurodesis
- Surgery in selected patients
Self-care, home remedies and lifestyle
- Palliative care support
- Seek compensation advice for occupational exposure
Possible complications
- Pleural effusion
- Chest wall invasion
Prevention
- Asbestos safety regulations and protective equipment
Outlook
Generally poor; median survival about 1–2 years, improving with immunotherapy.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for chest pain or breathlessness if you have past asbestos exposure.
Sources and further reading
These sources cover this condition. They have not been checked against every statement on this page.
Related conditions
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