Mesothelioma At A Glance

Mesothelioma is a cancer that arises from the cells lining the chest or abdominal cavities.
Mesothelioma typically results from exposure to asbestos.
When mesothelioma affects the chest, the doctor may look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope.
When mesothelioma affects the abdomen, the doctor may look inside the abdomen with a special tool called a peritoneoscope.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed by a biopsy.
The outlook for patients with mesothelioma depends on how early the disease is detected and how aggressively it is treated.