II. Definition

III. Risk Factors

  1. Asbestos Exposure (even minor exposure)
  2. Tobacco Abuse

IV. Epidemiology

  1. Incidence: 2000 new cases in U.S. per year

V. Symptoms

VI. Imaging

  1. Chest XRay
    1. Unilateral Pleural Effusion
  2. Chest CT
    1. Pleura may appear irregular

VII. Presentations

VIII. Managament

  1. Palliative radiation
  2. No protocol improves survival

IX. Prognosis

  1. Uniformly fatal
  2. Median survival: 6-18 months from diagnosis

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Ontology: Mesothelioma (C0025500)

Definition (CHV) a benign or malignant tumor affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen
Definition (CHV) a benign or malignant tumor affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen
Definition (MEDLINEPLUS)

The tissue that lines your lungs, stomach, heart, and other organs is called mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a tumor of that tissue. It usually starts in the lungs, but can also start in the abdomen or other organs. It can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer.)

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare but serious type of cancer. Most people who get it have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. After being exposed to asbestos, it usually takes a long time for the disease to form.

Symptoms include

  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain under the rib cage
  • Pain, swelling, or lumps in the abdomen
  • Weight loss for no known reason

Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. Your doctor uses imaging tests and a biopsy to make the diagnosis. Malignant mesothelioma is often found when it is advanced. This makes it harder to treat. Treatment may include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) A benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen. Exposure to asbestos particles in the air increases the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.
Definition (NCI) A usually malignant and aggressive neoplasm of the mesothelium which is often associated with exposure to asbestos.
Definition (NCI_CDISC) A neoplasm originating from mesothelial cells of the pleura or peritoneum, for which the malignancy status has not been established.
Definition (CSP) malignant tumor derived from mesothelial tissues of peritoneum, pleura, and pericardium.
Definition (MSH) A tumor derived from mesothelial tissue (peritoneum, pleura, pericardium). It appears as broad sheets of cells, with some regions containing spindle-shaped, sarcoma-like cells and other regions showing adenomatous patterns. Pleural mesotheliomas have been linked to exposure to asbestos. (Dorland, 27th ed)
Concepts Neoplastic Process (T191)
MSH D008654
ICD10 C45 , C45.9
SnomedCT 154491004, 187873000, 190110008, 189837000, 115232000, 62064005
English Mesotheliomas, Mesothelioma, unspecified, [X]Mesothelioma, unspecified, [M]Mesothelioma, unspecified, Mesothelioma [Disease/Finding], mesothelioma, mesotheliomas, Mesothelioma (disorder), [X]Mesothelioma, unspecified (disorder), [M]Mesothelioma, unspecified (morphologic abnormality), MESOTHELIOMA, UNDETERMINED, Mesothelioma, mesothelioma; unspecified site, Mesothelioma, NOS
Italian Mesoteliomi, Mesotelioma
Japanese 中皮腫, チュウヒシュ
Swedish Mesoteliom
Czech mezoteliom, Mezoteliomy, Mezoteliom
Finnish Mesoteliooma
Russian MEZOTELIOMA, МЕЗОТЕЛИОМА
German Mesotheliom, nicht naeher bezeichnet, Mesotheliome, Mesotheliom
Korean 상세불명의 중피종, 중피종
Polish Międzybłoniak
Hungarian Mesothelioma, Mesotheliomák
Norwegian Mesoteliom
Spanish [M]mesotelioma, no especificado (anomalía morfológica), [X]mesotelioma, no especificado (trastorno), [X]mesotelioma, no especificado, [M]mesotelioma, no especificado, mesotelioma, SAI, mesotelioma, Mesoteliomas, Mesotelioma
Dutch mesothelioom; niet gespecificeerde lokalisatie, Mesothelioom, niet gespecificeerd, mesotheliomen, mesothelioom, Mesothelioom
Portuguese Mesoteliomas, Mesotelioma
French Mésothéliomes, Mésothéliome

Ontology: Diffuse malignant mesothelioma (C0392400)

Definition (NCI) A malignant neoplasm that arises from the mesothelial cells. Histologic variants include biphasic, epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and desmoplastic mesothelioma.
Concepts Neoplastic Process (T191)
English diffuse malignant mesothelioma, dmm, diffuse malignant mesothelioma (DMM), diffuse malignant mesotheliomas, Diffuse malignant mesothelioma, Diffuse Malignant Mesothelioma, Malignant Diffuse Mesothelioma