Mesothelioma: Symptoms, Causes, and Overview
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 3 Aug 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
An overview of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure, covering symptoms, causes, latency period, and related diseases.
At a Glance
- 1 - About 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States.
- 2 - The relative five-year survival rate for mesothelioma ranges between 5 and 10 percent.
- 3 - The latency period between first asbestos exposure and disease is usually 20 to 40 years.
- 4 - Combining asbestos exposure with smoking increases the likelihood of developing lung cancer beyond either risk alone.
Topic Definition
- Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, also called malignant mesothelioma, is a rare cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue that lines the lungs, abdomen, heart, and other organs. It is most often caused by exposure to asbestos, whose sharp microscopic fibers, once inhaled or swallowed, can lodge in the body and damage tissue over many years. The disease is generally grouped by where it forms: pleural mesothelioma, which affects the two sliding layers lining the lungs and is the more common type, and peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdomen. As the affected layers thicken, symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest or abdominal pain, fluid buildup, and unexplained weight loss can appear, though they often surface only decades after the first exposure. Because mesothelioma can resemble lung cancer, doctors rely on imaging tests and a biopsy to reach an accurate diagnosis.
Overview
Mesothelioma (malignant mesothelioma) is a rare form of cancer that develops from cells of the mesothelium, the tissue that lines your lungs, stomach, heart, and other organs is called mesothelium. Mesothelioma is most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos. A doctor uses imaging tests and a biopsy to tell the difference between malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall), chest wall pain and constitutional signs such as unexplained weight loss.
In the United States, asbestos is the major cause of malignant mesothelioma and has been considered indisputably associated with the development of mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. In rare cases, mesothelioma has also been associated with irradiation, intrapleural thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), and inhalation of other fibrous silicates, such as erionite. Some studies suggest that simian virus 40 (SV40) may act as a cofactor in the development of mesothelioma. This has been confirmed in animal studies, but studies in humans are inconclusive.
- About 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States.
- The latency period between first exposure to asbestos and clinical disease is usually 20 to 40 years.
- The rate of mesothelioma in the United States increased from the 1970s to the early 1990s, but since then, it has leveled off and even gone down slightly.
- Based on data from the National Cancer Institute's SEER program, the relative 5-year survival rate for mesothelioma is between 5% and 10%. People diagnosed at a younger age tend to survive longer.
Mesothelium is Divided into Two Parts
- The first is the pleural, which lines the lungs. The pleura comprises an inner layer and an outer layer which slide over each other as you breathe. If mesothelioma develops in this area it is known as pleural mesothelioma and it causes the two layers to become thicker.
- The second is the peritoneum, which lines the abdomen, and it also has an inner layer and an outer layer. If the mesothelioma affects this area it is known as peritoneal mesothelioma and it also causes these layers to become thicker.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary based on the region of your body affected by the cancer, these include:
- Shortness of breath
- Lumps of tissue under your chest skin
- Weight loss
- Dry cough
- Painful breathing
- Painful coughing
- Chest pain near the rib cage
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are:
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling
- Change in bowel habits (frequent diarrhea or constipation)
- Lumps of tissue in abdomen
Both types of mesothelioma can be very painful and lead to several undesirable symptoms. Pleural mesothelioma can cause breathlessness, coughing, and chest pain. It can also lead to pleural effusion, where lubricating fluid in the lungs becomes trapped between the inner and outer layers of the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma can lead to abdominal pain, bowel problems, and it's swelling in the abdomen.
Almost every case of mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. In the past, asbestos was a very popular construction material. However, as people became more knowledgeable, they learned about the dangers associated with this material. In particular, they discovered that the very fine fibers that make up asbestos are easily released when the material is handled.
If you have previously been exposed to asbestos, you should go see your doctor right away and explain your concerns. Even if it turns out that you do not have this type of cancer, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Other Diseases Related to the Exposure of Asbestos Fibers
Not all of these are deadly, but they all result in health damage and even damage to the quality of the patient's life. Most of these diseases can be predicted and treated during the time of asbestos exposure. Normally, your exposure to the dust and fibers of asbestos does not cause disease immediately. However, you need to protect yourself from being exposed just to make sure that you will not develop a medical condition related with the mineral.
The dust and fibers of asbestos are hazardous since these are tiny. In fact, a microscope is needed just to determine the type of asbestos fiber. Once they enter the body, there are two possible places where asbestos fibers go. When the fibers are breathed accidentally, they go to your lungs. If they are swallowed, they go to your stomach. Hence, the most common types of asbestos-related diseases occur in the human chest and lungs.
When the fibers of asbestos are viewed through a microscope, they appear sharp. If they get inside your body, they will destroy your tissues. It has been said that all levels of asbestos exposure are harmful to the body. This is because just one fiber can bring severe harm. The risk is greatest when you are constantly exposed to it. Medical experts say that the only way for you to hinder the development of asbestos-related health problems is to keep yourself from being exposed to its fibers.
Cancer diseases, which are linked with asbestos exposure, generally take two to four decades to develop. The whole duration is known as the "latency period." Compared to other asbestos-related diseases, pleural thickening occurs more often. There are some individuals who refer to their disease as "asbestosis." However, asbestosis is the specific term for one condition. For you to know what is affecting you precisely, you need the diagnosis of a specialist. The following are among the diseases that are brought about due to severe exposure to the fibers and dust of asbestos:
Lung Cancer and Other Types of Cancer Diseases
Epidemiological studies suggest that asbestos is one of the primary reasons for lung cancer related deaths. On the other hand, there are times when a specialist finds it hard to determine the cause of lung cancer. This is especially true when the patient smokes a lot. It has been discovered that exposure to asbestos, paired with smoking, increases the likelihood of developing lung cancer. Other types of asbestos-related cancer are larynx cancer; stomach cancer; and cancer of the rectum, colon, and ovaries.
Asbestosis
This is a type of pneumoconiosis. Asbestosis is the general reference for the damage occurring to the interior of your lung as a result of asbestos dust inhalation. Your lung consists of several alveoli, where carbon dioxide and oxygen are transported to and from your blood. When asbestos dust gets inside your lung, the walls of your alveoli are damaged.
Pleural plaques
These refer to the local scarring or thickening of the membrane lining your lungs. Although this type of illness is not that severe, it can be painful and discomforting. It can act as a precursor to another type of asbestos-related disease.
Pleural thickening
This happens when the pleural lining of your lung hardens due to the asbestos fibers found in your lungs. When the case is severe, it can lead to breathing difficulties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after asbestos exposure can mesothelioma develop?
Mesothelioma usually develops 20 to 40 years after the first asbestos exposure, a span known as the latency period, which is why many people are diagnosed decades after their contact with asbestos.
Is mesothelioma the same as lung cancer?
No, mesothelioma forms in the mesothelium lining organs such as the lungs and abdomen, while lung cancer forms in the lung tissue itself, and doctors use imaging and a biopsy to tell them apart.
Can you get mesothelioma without asbestos exposure?
Almost all cases are linked to asbestos, but mesothelioma has rarely been reported in people without known exposure and has been associated with radiation and certain other mineral fibers.
Is mesothelioma curable?
Mesothelioma is generally difficult to cure, especially when found late, but treatments can help manage symptoms and extend life, and people diagnosed at a younger age tend to survive longer.
What jobs carry the highest risk of asbestos exposure?
Occupations in construction, shipbuilding, insulation, demolition, mining, and manufacturing have historically carried higher asbestos exposure, since the material was widely used for insulation and fireproofing.
Are family members of asbestos workers at risk?
Yes, secondhand exposure can occur when fibers are carried home on clothing, hair, or skin, so family members of asbestos workers may face an increased risk of asbestos related disease.
What should I do if I think I was exposed to asbestos?
If you believe you were exposed to asbestos, see your doctor promptly and explain your history, since early evaluation and monitoring can help detect any related condition sooner.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.
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