Pleural mesothelioma is a rare tumour of mesodermal origin, overwhelmingly malignant, whose etiology is closely related to long-term inhalation of asbestos dust.
It is clinically classified into two types: diffuse and limited. Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma is a primary pleural tumour of mesothelial origin, with a high degree of malignancy, extensive lesions, rapid progression in some patients and a poor prognosis. Focal pleural mesothelioma is slow growing and is more common than diffuse malignant mesothelioma in clinical practice. The vast majority of patients have a benign presentation and half may be asymptomatic.
Chest pain and fever are the most common manifestations in symptomatic patients, with occasional pleural effusion, and CT scans of the chest often show a limited pleural bulge with a relatively good prognosis.