Overview of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that mainly affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testes. Although uncommon, it is one of the deadliest occupational diseases and usually results from long-term exposure to asbestos — a natural but highly cancer-causing mineral. The disease develops slowly over decades, making early detection difficult and limiting treatment options at diagnosis.
The most common type is pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the pleura, the thin lining around the lungs and chest wall. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma (lining of the abdomen), pericardial mesothelioma (lining of the heart), and the very rare testicular mesothelioma. All forms share asbestos exposure as the main cause and grow aggressively.
Mesothelioma has a long latency period — 20 to 50 years between asbestos exposure and symptom appearance. This long delay makes public awareness, early screening, and strict asbestos rules essential.
A Global Health Challenge
Worldwide, mesothelioma is a serious public health problem. Even in countries that banned or limited asbestos, old exposure still affects people. Buildings made before the bans often still contain asbestos in insulation, roofing, or flooring. Workers like construction workers, plumbers, electricians, and renovators face risks when they remove or repair these materials.
In areas where asbestos is still mined or used, mesothelioma rates remain high. The disease mostly affects older men, especially those who worked in shipbuilding, construction, railway engineering, or asbestos mining, where exposure lasted many years.
How Mesothelioma Develops
Mesothelioma begins when tiny asbestos fibres enter the body through breathing or swallowing. The fibres lodge in the mesothelial tissue, the lining around organs. Over time, they cause inflammation, damage cells, and trigger mutations that lead to uncontrolled growth.
Unlike many cancers, mesothelioma often forms a widespread layer of tumour tissue rather than a single mass. This pattern makes surgery difficult and contributes to its poor outlook. By the time symptoms appear, the disease is often advanced.
Impact on Patients and Families
A mesothelioma diagnosis brings emotional, physical, and financial challenges. Patients often suffer pain, shortness of breath, or fluid build-up, especially with pleural mesothelioma. The psychological burden is high, as many patients realize their illness is linked to workplace exposure decades earlier.
Families also face distress, not just from the illness but from the preventable cause. Many workers were never warned about asbestos risks or given proper protection, causing feelings of injustice.
Support from palliative care, counselling, legal advice, and community groups helps improve quality of life. In some areas, affected people can claim compensation for workplace exposure.
Research and Hope
Although mesothelioma remains mostly incurable, research is advancing in treatment and early detection. Immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and combination chemotherapy give hope for longer survival and better quality of life.
Scientists are also studying genetic markers to detect mesothelioma sooner and predict treatment results. Non-invasive tools like liquid biopsies and breath tests are being explored.
International cooperation among cancer research centres, regulatory bodies, and public health organisations helps raise awareness, detect the disease earlier, and prevent asbestos exposure.
