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Mesotelioma

Last reviewed: 20 Aug 2025
Last updated: 15 May 2025

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • história familiar
  • história de exposição a asbesto
  • idade entre 60 e 85 anos
  • dispneia
  • murmúrio vesicular diminuído
  • macicez à percussão
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • sexo masculino
  • dor torácica
  • tosse
  • sintomas constitucionais
  • distensão e/ou dor abdominal
Full details

Risk factors

  • exposição ao asbesto
  • idade entre 60 e 85 anos
  • exposição ao asbesto durante a reforma e manutenção de casas
  • sexo masculino
  • exposição à radiação
  • predisposição genética
  • vírus símio 40 (SV-40)
Full details

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • radiografia torácica
  • TC do tórax e abdome superior (com contraste)
Full details

Investigations to consider

  • toracocentese
  • biópsia pleural
  • cirurgia toracoscópica videoassistida (CTVA)
  • imuno-histoquímica
  • ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) do tórax
  • PET com fluordesoxiglucose (FDG)/TC
  • mediastinoscopia cervical
  • testes de função pulmonar
  • Hemograma completo
  • perfil metabólico básico
Full details

Emerging tests

  • biomarcadores diagnósticos

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

doença ressecável

doença irressecável ou recorrente

Contributors

Authors

Idrees Mian, MD

​​Hematologist Oncologis

Kaiser Permanente

Oncology

Washington

DC

Disclosures

IM declares he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Idrees Mian would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Jaydira del Rivero, Dr Anish Thomas, Mrs Mary Hesdorffer, Dr Robert Taub, and Dr Chris R. Kelsey, the previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

AT, JdR, MH, RT, and CRK declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Marc de Perrot, MD, MSc

Associate Professor of Surgery

University of Toronto

Division of Thoracic Surgery

Toronto General Hospital

Ontario

Canada

Disclosures

MdP is an author of a reference cited in this topic.

Nicholas J. Vogelzang, MD

Chair and Medical Director

Developmental Therapeutics

Co-Chair

GU Committee

US Oncology Research

Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada

Las Vegas

NV

Disclosures

NJV is a past chair of a US-based mesothelioma foundation. NJV is an author of a reference cited in this topic.

Tom Treasure, MD, MS FRCS, FRCP

Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery (Honorary)

Clinical Operational Research Unit

Department of Mathematics

University College London

London

UK

Disclosures

TT is an author of a reference cited in this topic.

Peer reviewer acknowledgements

BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.

Disclosures

Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: mesothelioma: pleural [internet publication].Full text

Woolhouse I, Bishop L, Darlison L, et al. British Thoracic Society guideline for the investigation and management of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Thorax. 2018 Mar;73(suppl 1):i1-30.Full text  Abstract

Popat S, Baas P, Faivre-Finn C, et al. Malignant pleural mesothelioma: ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2022 Feb;33(2):129-42.Full text  Abstract

Kindler HL, Ismaila N, Armato SG 3rd, et al. Treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline. J Clin Oncol. 2018 May 1;36(13):1343-73.Full text  Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
  • Mesotelioma images
  • Differentials

    • Hiperplasia mesotelial reativa benigna
    • Reações pleurais benignas relacionadas ao asbesto
    • Câncer pulmonar de células não pequenas
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • Suspected cancer: recognition and referral
    • Mesothelioma: pleural
    More Guidelines
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