What is 'mesothelioma'?

What is 'mesothelioma'?

Jay M. Lee (Surgical Director, Thoracic Oncology Program, UCLA) gives expert video advice on: Are there different types of lung cancer?; What is the most common type of lung cancer? and more...

Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lining of the inner chest wall and the lung itself. This lining is called the plura, so this is a pleura-based malignancy and is called mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is thought to be the leading cause of mesothelioma, but it's important to note that asbestos exposure increases the risk of lung cancer, and that the incidence of lung cancers are far greater than mesothelioma.