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Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue that covers most internal organs. The most common site is the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma).
read more about mesothelioma ...The cause is nearly always exposure to asbestos fibers. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they travel to the pleura (lung lining) and cause inflammation and permanent scarring that eventually leads to cancer development.
Chest pain and shortness of breath develop gradually and mimic other lung disorders. A persistent dry cough and fatigue are common. Unintended weight loss and reduced exercise capacity appear as disease advances. Fluid around the lung causes breathlessness and requires drainage. Pain can radiate to the shoulder or back when the chest wall is involved.
Diagnosis is challenging and often involves advanced imaging (CT scans), specialized fluid analysis, and a biopsy of the affected tissue to confirm the specific type of cancer. Treatment involves chemotherapy, radiation, and, when possible, surgery.
Mesothelioma does not directly impact vision. However, some forms of chemotherapy used to treat the cancer can have known side effects that affect the eyes, such as chronic dry eyes, excessive tearing, or temporary blurred vision.
The latency period is exceptionally long. Symptoms often do not appear until 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos fibers, making early diagnosis very difficult.
No, mesothelioma is not contagious. It is caused by environmental exposure to asbestos.
Smoking is a cause of lung cancer, but the direct cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
No, the long latency period means the disease is often advanced by the time symptoms appear.
See a doctor for persistent chest pain or shortness of breath if you have a history of working around old insulation or shipyards. In rare cases, mesothelioma can metastasize to the orbit of the eye, causing bulging (proptosis) or double vision.
National Cancer Institute. Malignant Mesothelioma (cancer.gov). 2025.
Mayo Clinic. Mesothelioma Symptoms (mayoclinic.org). 2024.
NHS. Mesothelioma Overview (nhs.uk). 2022.
Cancer Research UK. Mesothelioma (cancerresearchuk.org). 2023.