Mesothelioma - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelial layers of the pleura, pericardium and peritoneum. This type of tumor affects more men than women. It can be benign or malignant. The benign type is very rare and does not appear to have the same origin as the malignant tumor.

Malignant mesothelioma is a multifactorial disease, which may involve genetic and external factors, such as exposure to asbestos, better known as asbestos, which accounts for 80% of the cases of this disease, with a latency period of 20 to 50 years between exposure and onset of the disease. The risk of having malignant mesothelioma due to this exposure depends on the size of the asbestos fibers, and not on their chemical components. The fibers that are long and thin have a greater carcinogenic potential, as they can penetrate easier in the lung and also, makes it more difficult the digestion of them by the phagocytes, thus stimulating the production of free radicals and a consequent cellular mutation.


The most frequent symptoms are difficulty breathing and chest pains, both due to the accumulation of fluid in the pleura. Patients affected by peritoneal mesothelioma present first abdominal pain and sudden weight loss.

The diagnosis is made through examinations such as radiography, which is the first to be requested by the doctor, since it is able to detect the accumulation of pleural fluid. Another diagnostic technique used is computed tomography, which is able to show the location and size of the tumor, as well as possible metastases. Through the puncture it is possible to collect the liquid present in the pleura for the accomplishment of a laboratory examination. The conclusive diagnosis can be made by obtaining a sample of mesothelial tissue and being subsequently observed under microscopy.


In most cases, the diagnosis of this disease is made after metastasis, thus making it impossible to surgically remove the tumor. That is, the treatment will depend on the extent of the disease, and the doctor will choose the best treatment for the case, which may be chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy.

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