What does mesothelioma mean?
Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue lining the lungs, abdomen, heart, and other internal cavities. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common form, arises around the lung; peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdominal lining. The disease is strongly associated with prolonged exposure to asbestos, particularly among workers in industries where asbestos was widely used, although other causes are possible. Symptoms can resemble those of less serious respiratory conditions, so diagnosis normally requires specialist assessment and imaging. Mesothelioma is also the name of the resulting tumor as well as the disease. The word is most often heard in medical, legal, and occupational-health contexts, where it is closely associated with the history of asbestos use and the long latency between exposure and diagnosis. Its name reflects its origin in the mesothelium, making the term especially useful for understanding a group of cancers defined by the tissue in which they arise.
nounA malignant tumor arising from the mesothelium, the thin tissue that lines the body’s internal cavities and covers certain organs. Mesothelioma most often affects the lining of the lung or abdomen.
- A malignant tumor originating in the mesothelium, especially in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart.
"Long-term exposure to asbestos can substantially increase the risk of developing mesothelioma."
"The scan revealed a rare form of mesothelioma in the lining of the lung."
"Researchers are studying new treatments for patients with advanced mesothelioma."
Usually treated as singular when referring to the disease as a diagnosis; the plural refers to multiple tumors or cases.
"The hospital treats several mesotheliomas with specialized chemotherapy."
Mesothelioma takes its name from the mesothelium, the delicate protective lining where many of these tumors begin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mesothelioma come from?
Mesothelioma was formed in the late 19th century from the combining form meso-, meaning middle, and -thelioma, a term associated with tumors arising from epithelial tissue. The name ultimately refers to the mesothelium, from Greek mesos, “middle,” and thēlē, “nipple,” reflecting the tissue’s original descriptive history. English also uses the related terms mesothelium and mesothelial, which preserve the same Greek elements.
How mesothelioma is actually used
The term is primarily medical and is usually used in a serious or clinical context. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lung, while peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdominal cavity. Although it is often discussed in connection with asbestos exposure, the disease can also have other causes.