Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. Although mesothelioma is a rare malignancy, it has a poor prognosis. The incidence rate of malignant mesothelioma has been rising since the mid twentieth century century. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy is currently the best choice of treatment and monoclonal antibody therapy is a new treatment option for the future. In the present study, we thoroughly reviewed the pathogenesis, clinical features, laboratory diagnosis, modalities of treatment, and clinical outcomes of this condition.
malignant mesothelioma, chemotherapy for mesothelioma, asbestos, monoclonal antibody therapy
10.31524/bkkmedj.2017.02.016