Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer found in lung tissue. "Malignant" means that it has the potential to invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant areas of the body¹. "Pleural" refers to the skin that covers the outside of the lung.
Mesothelioma is most common in people who have been around asbestos². Many people who develop mesothelioma come into contact with asbestos because of their jobs as miners, shipyard workers, construction workers, or mechanics². The disease usually does not develop right away². Mesothelioma may not appear until 15 to 50 years after you have been around asbestos or in situations that put you at risk for asbestos exposure².

Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose³. This is because it can look very similar to other lung cancers, such as adenocarcinoma³. Plus, tumors found in the lung often come from other areas of the body⁴. These lung tumors may not necessarily be mesothelioma⁴.

Knowing what kind of cancer a patient has is key to optimal treatment. Mesothelioma is a specific kind of lung cancer that requires specific therapy⁴. First, your physician must determine exactly what kind of cancer you have. Then, he or she can decide which treatment will work best for you. It is important to get the right diagnosis from the beginning. This will help ensure that you start on the right treatment right away.

1. American Cancer Society Web site. Accessed February 22, 2009.
2. Asbestosis mesothelioma information and resource guide. Accessed February 22, 2009.
3. Benjamin H, Lebanony D, Cohen L, et al. Differential diagnosis of mesothelioma using a microRNA assay. Presented at: 44th American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting; May 30-June 3, 2008; Chicago, IL. Abstract 22000.
4. Palumbo C, Bei R, Procopio A, Modesti A. Molecular targets and targeted therapies for malignant mesothelioma. Curr Med Chem. 2008;15(9):855-867.