Pediatric Mesothelioma: Causes, Symptoms and Exposure Risks

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 24 Mar 2009 - Updated: 1 Oct 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information looks at mesothelioma in children and young adults, an aggressive asbestos-related cancer that is rarely found in young people because it usually takes many years to develop. It reassures parents that the disease is neither inherited nor contagious, so a parent's diagnosis does not mean it will pass to a child. It then explains the two main ways children can still be exposed: secondhand, through asbestos dust carried home on a parent's work clothes from construction or manufacturing jobs, and directly, through asbestos materials in older houses. The guide also describes a study published in Histopathology that examined eight children with mesothelioma. Every child had the peritoneal form, which affects the lining of the abdomen, rather than the pleural form in the lining of the lungs that is most common in adults, and many had painful bloating from fluid buildup. This makes the guide useful for parents, caregivers and pediatric clinicians, and it stresses that sharing any known asbestos history with a doctor is key to an accurate diagnosis.

At a Glance

• 1 - Once asbestos fibers reach the tiny airways of the lungs, they cannot be breathed or coughed back out.
• 2 - Homes built between the 1920s and 1980s may have attics with vermiculite insulation that can contain asbestos.
• 3 - Early warning signs can mimic everyday illnesses such as viral pneumonia, flu, bronchitis and even heart disease.
• 4 - Less obvious symptoms include a husky voice, difficulty swallowing, anemia, fever, trouble sleeping and bowel obstruction.

Topic Definition

Pediatric Mesothelioma

Pediatric mesothelioma is a very rare malignant cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the thin protective lining around the lungs, abdomen or heart, in children and adolescents. In adults the disease is almost always linked to asbestos exposure decades earlier. In young patients the causes are less clear and may include early secondhand asbestos exposure, prior radiation therapy, or inherited gene changes such as BAP1 mutations. Children are more likely than adults to develop the peritoneal form, which affects the abdominal lining. Symptoms often resemble common childhood illnesses, so diagnosis depends on imaging, a tissue biopsy and specialized laboratory testing, and treatment is usually guided by pediatric cancer specialists using surgery, chemotherapy or a combination of both.

Overview

Mesothelioma, if malignant, is an aggressive form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The asbestos that enters the body lodges itself within the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, as well as other organs and eventually the problem takes an adverse shape and tumors form.

The latency period of mesothelioma can be many years, so often diagnosing children with mesothelioma can be difficult because they have not lived that long. However there have been rare cases and studies that detected mesothelioma in children. Because the prognosis is poor, doctors need to carefully diagnose mesothelioma in their youngest patients.

My Parent/Loved One Has It - Can I Be Affected?

It is important to understand that mesothelioma is not inherited through genes - but inherited BAP1 mutations do raise the risk - therefore just because your Mother or Father has it, does not mean it automatically is passed on. Mesothelioma is also not contagious. There have been cases where children have been diagnosed with mesothelioma but it is through contact with an asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure can happen many different ways.

Passive Victim

In some cases parents who worked in manufacturing or construction companies have exposed children to asbestos through clothing. When at work the asbestos would get trapped in either the clothing or other accessories and when brought home the transmission occurred through the air. That asbestos contaminated air could then be breathed in by a child. Asbestos makes its way into tiny airways of the lungs and then cannot be breathed or coughed out.

Direct Contact

In other cases homes built between the 1920s and 1980s may have attics that contain asbestos insulation known as vermiculite. Older roofs may contain asbestos that would then be breathed in. If there is ever a question whether or not your house contains asbestos it is always best to hire a licensed professional asbestos inspector.

Studies

There are ongoing studies and most doctors agree that more research must be done before a conclusion is met. Dr. Moran and some of his colleagues published a study in the journal, Histopathology, which they analyzed eight cases of children suffering from mesothelioma. All of the children had peritoneal mesothelioma cancer, which is cancer of the abdominal cavity lining. Adults, however, usually suffer from pleural mesothelioma cancer, which is in the lining of the lungs. The children diagnosed with mesothelioma often complained of pain from bloating, due to fluid build-up of their abdomen. This shows that it is possible for children to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, although most victims are adults due to the longevity it usually takes for the disease to manifest.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma symptoms are generally nonspecific and resemble common sicknesses such as viral pneumonia, heart disease, flu, and bronchitis. These symptoms include: shortness of breath (dyspnea) or difficulty breathing, coughing and/or coughing up of blood, chest or abdomen pain caused by excessive fluid, weight loss, husky voice, difficulty swallowing, fever, anemia, bowel obstruction, inability to sleep, and loss of appetite.

Since these are general symptoms of common viral diseases, it is important to report any asbestos history you have to a doctor so the correct diagnosis can be made, especially in children as they may be harder to diagnose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can mesothelioma in children occur without asbestos exposure?

Yes. In many pediatric cases no asbestos exposure can be found. Other suspected causes include radiation therapy given for an earlier childhood cancer and inherited gene changes that raise cancer risk.

Does a BAP1 gene mutation increase mesothelioma risk?

Yes. People born with a BAP1 gene mutation have a higher risk of mesothelioma and several other cancers, and some develop disease at a younger age. Genetic counseling can help families understand testing and screening options.

How is mesothelioma diagnosed in a child?

Doctors usually start with an ultrasound, CT or MRI scan, then confirm the diagnosis with a biopsy. Pathologists use special tissue stains to tell mesothelioma apart from other childhood tumors.

How is pediatric mesothelioma treated?

Treatment usually involves surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, often combined with chemotherapy. For peritoneal cases, some centers also use heated chemotherapy delivered directly into the abdomen during surgery.

Do children with mesothelioma have a better outlook than adults?

Some reports suggest younger patients may live longer than older adults, possibly because they are healthier overall and better able to handle aggressive treatment. Outcomes still vary widely from case to case.

Are schools required to check for asbestos?

In the United States, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act requires public and private nonprofit schools to inspect for asbestos, keep a management plan and make that plan available to parents on request.

How can workers avoid bringing asbestos home to their children?

Change out of work clothes and shoes before leaving the job site, shower if possible, and wash work clothing separately from family laundry. Employers covered by safety rules should provide changing areas and protective clothing.

Where should families seek care for a child with mesothelioma?

Families should look for a pediatric cancer center with experience in rare tumors. These centers can coordinate specialists, offer access to clinical trials and provide support services for the whole family.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Pediatric mesothelioma is so uncommon that most pediatricians may never see a case, and that rarity is itself a risk, since a child's shortness of breath, cough or unexplained weight loss is far more likely to be treated as a routine infection. The prognosis is poor at any age, so doctors need to take extra care before confirming or ruling out the disease in their youngest patients. Researchers still agree that much more study is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn about causes and outcomes in children. In the meantime, prevention matters most for families. Older homes with aging roofs or attic insulation should be checked by a licensed asbestos inspector before any renovation, and workers in high-risk trades should keep work clothing away from children so asbestos dust never makes it into the household air.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability, a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.