Malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura) or abdomen (the peritoneum). Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos fibers.

Pleural (malignant) Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor of the mesothelium — a tissue formed by mesothelial cells, which lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around the heart as well as the surfaces of most internal organs. These mesothelium cells produce a special lubricating fluid enabling organs to move around. For example, the fluid producing cells allow the lungs to move inside the chest when breathing. The cancer may spread from the lungs to other cavities and organs such as the heart, abdomen and even the lymph nodes or brain.

The most common symptom and complaint is a persistent pain localized in the chest with occasional difficulties in breathing. After a complete medical history and physical exam are done, then imaging tests (such as CT scan and MRI scan) can confirm the onset of mesothelioma. Tests of fluids and tissue samples are available, but are not as reliable as an open pleural biopsy performed during thoracoscopy (direct visualization of the inside chest).

Unfortunately, the early symptoms of mesothelioma are often ignored or mistaken for minor ailments because they are not specific to the disease. Therefore, it is critical to investigate one’s exposure to asbestos. While pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, cough, fever, sweating, fatigue and weight loss may be common to many minor ailments, it is the knowledge that these symptoms are present in a person with a high likelihood of asbestos exposure that should raise a red flag.