Introduction of Mesothelioma

DEFINITION

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare neoplastic lesion associated with asbestos exposure. There are three major histologic subtypes: epithelial (most common), sarcomatous, and mixed (epithelial/sarcomatous).

EPIDEMIOLOGY & DEMOGRAPHICS

• Associated with asbestos exposure (all fiber types)
• Over 3000 new cases diagnosed in U.S. annually
• More common in men as a result of asbestos exposure in the workplace
• Right-sided involvement is more common
• Incidence of mesothelioma increases with age; median age at presentation is >60 yr
• There are currently more than 8 million persons in the U.S. who are at risk for mesothelioma because of prior asbestos exposure

thorotrast, zeolite, and erionite fibers.

PHYSICAL FINDINGS & CLINICAL PRESENTATION • Dyspnea • Nonpleuritic chest pain • Fever, weight loss, sweats, fatigue, loss of appetite • Dysphagia, superior vena cava syndrome, Horner’s syndrome in advanced stages • Auscultation may reveal unilateral loss of breath sounds • Dullness on percussion may be present ETIOLOGY • Asbestos exposure • Other reported potentially causal factors include prior radiation therapy and extravasated