Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs (mesothelium). It is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer.

1. MALIGNANT
MESOTHELIOMA
OVERVIEW OF CAUSES, SYMPTOMS,
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

2. INTRODUCTION TO MALIGNANT
MESOTHELIOMA
• Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer that occurs in
the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your
internal organs (mesothelium).
• Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly
form of cancer.
• Mesothelioma treatments are available, but for many
people with mesothelioma, a cure is not possible.
• Mesothelioma most often affects the tissue that
surrounds the lungs. This type is called pleural
malignant mesothelioma.

3. SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF MALIGNANT
MESOTHELIOMA
Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on
the location of cancer.
Peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in tissue in the
abdomen, causes signs and symptoms that may include:
Abdominal pain.
• Abdominal swelling
• Lumps of tissue in the abdomen
• Unexplained weight loss

4. SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF MALIGNANT
MESOTHELIOMA
Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the tissue that
surrounds the lungs, causes signs and symptoms that may
include:
• Chest pain under the rib cage
• Painful coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on your chest
• Unexplained weight loss

5. TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS OF MALIGNANT
MESOTHELIOMA
If you have signs and symptoms that might indicate
mesothelioma, your doctor will conduct a physical exam to
check for any lumps or other unusual signs.
Your doctor may suggest imaging scans, such as a chest X-
ray and a computerized tomography (CT) scan of your
chest or abdomen, to look for abnormalities.
Based on the findings, you may undergo further testing to
determine whether mesothelioma or another disease is
causing your signs and symptoms.

6. Biopsy is a procedure to remove a small portion of tissue
for laboratory examination, and the only way to determine
whether you have mesothelioma.
Depending on what area of your body is affected, your
doctor selects the right biopsy procedure for you in the
form of Fine-needle aspiration, Thoracoscopy, Laparoscopy,
Thoracotomy and Laparotomy. The tissue sample is
analyzed under a microscope to see whether the abnormal
tissue is mesothelioma and what types of cells are involved.
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS OF MALIGNANT
MESOTHELIOMA

7. TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR MALIGNANT
MESOTHELIOMA
What treatment you undergo for mesothelioma depends on
your health and certain aspects of your cancer.
Unfortunately, mesothelioma often is an aggressive disease
and for most people a cure isn't possible. Mesothelioma is
usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Surgery and other
treatment options include:
• Surgery to decrease fluid build-up: Pleural
mesothelioma may cause fluid to build up in your chest,
causing difficulty breathing. Surgeons insert a tube or
catheter into your chest to drain the fluid.

8. TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR MALIGNANT
MESOTHELIOMA
• Surgery to remove the tissue around the lungs or
abdomen: Surgeons may remove the tissue lining the ribs
and the lungs or the tissue lining the abdominal cavity.
This procedure won't cure mesothelioma, but may
relieve signs and symptoms.
• Surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible: If all
of the cancer can't be removed, surgeons may attempt to
remove as much as possible.

9. • Surgery to remove a lung and the surrounding
tissue: Removing the affected lung and the tissue that
surrounds it may relieve signs and symptoms of pleural
mesothelioma.
• Chemotherapy uses chemicals to kill cancer cells.
Systemic chemotherapy travels throughout the body and
may shrink or slow the growth of a mesothelioma that
can't be removed using surgery.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR MALIGNANT
MESOTHELIOMA

10. • Radiation therapy focuses high-energy beams, such as X-
rays, to a specific spot or spots on your body. Radiation
may reduce signs and symptoms in people with pleural
mesothelioma.
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating not only to
you but also to your family and friends. Hence, it is
important to learn enough about mesothelioma to make
decisions about your care.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR MALIGNANT
MESOTHELIOMA

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