Mesothelioma

Overview

Mesothelioma (me-zoe-thee-lee-OH-muh) is a rare cancer of the thin covering (membranes) lining the chest, abdominal cavities or heart. The most common form is pleural mesothelioma, found in tissue surrounding the lungs and associated with exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma may occur 30 to 40 years after asbestos exposure.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Team approach. Doctors from all over the world refer people with mesothelioma to Mayo Clinic. Mayo can rapidly assemble a team of experts from areas that include pulmonary medicine, thoracic surgery, oncology (cancer), radiation therapy and pathology.
• Efficiency. Your medical team will work with you to quickly obtain a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan — usually within a few days.
• Experience and expertise. Diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma can be difficult. It is rarely seen in smaller medical centers. Specialists at Mayo Clinic are highly experienced in standard and experimental treatments.
• Advanced technology. Mayo makes extensive use of the newest technology to improve chances for positive outcomes.
• Newest research. The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is exploring novel treatments for mesothelioma.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Read more about mesothelioma at MayoClinic.com.