Malignant Mesothelioma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Malignant Mesothelioma?
A medical oncologist, a doctor who treats cancer with medicines, usually leads care for malignant mesothelioma. A thoracic surgeon (a chest surgeon) or a pulmonologist (a lung doctor) may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is malignant mesothelioma?
The tissue that lines your lungs, stomach, heart, and other organs is called mesothelium. Mesothelioma, also called malignant mesothelioma, is cancer of that tissue. It usually starts in the lungs, but it can also start in the abdomen or other organs.
Malignant mesothelioma is rare but serious. The most common kind forms in the tissue around the lungs. That tissue is called the pleura, so doctors call this pleural mesothelioma. It can also form in the lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneum. It can form around the heart or the testicles too.
Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma, the kind near the lungs, can cause:
- Pain in the chest, under the rib cage.
- Coughing.
- Shortness of breath.
- Lumps under the skin on the chest.
- Tiredness.
- Weight loss that you cannot explain.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the kind in the abdomen. It can cause a swollen belly, belly pain, nausea, and tiredness. It can also cause weight loss that you cannot explain. Other signs of mesothelioma can include blood clots and constipation.
These symptoms can have other causes. Only a doctor can tell what is causing them.
Causes and who gets it
Exposure to asbestos causes most cases of mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group of minerals found in rocks and soil. They form long, thin, strong fibers. Working with asbestos can release tiny fibers into the air. They are too small to see.
Most people with mesothelioma worked or lived where they breathed in or swallowed asbestos. Risk factors include:
- Being exposed to asbestos at work.
- Living with someone who works with asbestos.
- Living or working in a building where materials with asbestos have been disturbed.
- Living in an area with natural asbestos deposits, asbestos mines, or factories.
Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos gets mesothelioma. After exposure, it usually takes a long time for the disease to form. Asbestos is still in some older homes and buildings.
How doctors diagnose it
It can be hard to tell mesothelioma from other cancers, including lung cancer. You may need a physical exam and other tests. These can include imaging tests, such as a chest x-ray or a CT scan. A biopsy is also used. A biopsy means removing a small piece of tissue to look at under a microscope.
Malignant mesothelioma is often found when it is advanced. That makes it harder to treat.
Treatment
Treatment depends on where the mesothelioma is and whether it has spread. Your doctors will also think about the cancer stage, your health, and your wishes. Options may include the following.
- Surgery removes the cancer. For cancer in the chest, one operation removes part of the lung covering and chest lining. Another removes a whole lung and part of the chest lining.
- Chemotherapy uses medicines to shrink or kill cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It can also relieve symptoms.
- Immunotherapy uses medicines that help your immune system fight the cancer.
- Targeted therapy uses drugs that block the growth and spread of cancer cells.
For cancer in the abdomen, surgery may be followed by heated chemotherapy placed in the belly. Palliative care, which relieves symptoms and improves quality of life, may also be part of treatment. Treatment can cause side effects, so ask your cancer care team what to expect. A clinical trial, a study of new treatments, may also be an option.
When to see a doctor
If you have any of the symptoms above, talk to your doctor. If you are concerned about asbestos exposure, ask your doctor if you should get regular checkups or tests for diseases caused by asbestos.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe trouble breathing, fainting, or coughing up blood.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can review your symptoms and work history, arrange first tests, and refer you to a cancer team. They can also help coordinate follow-up care.
Common questions
Does asbestos cause mesothelioma?
Yes, exposure to asbestos causes most cases of mesothelioma. Some people breathed in or swallowed asbestos fibers over many years. Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos gets mesothelioma.
Can mesothelioma start somewhere other than the lungs?
Yes, it can. It most often forms in the tissue around the lungs. It can also form in the abdomen, around the heart, or around the testicles.
Is mesothelioma hard to find early?
Yes, it often is. It is often found when it is advanced, which makes it harder to treat. It can also be hard to tell apart from lung cancer and other cancers.
Is surgery the only treatment for mesothelioma?
No, surgery is not the only treatment. Treatment may also include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy. The right plan depends on where the cancer is and whether it has spread.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Mesothelioma
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Mesothelioma Basics
- National Cancer Institute - Treatment for Mesothelioma
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
