Malignant pleural mesothelioma

Malignant  mesothelioma  is  a  rare  tumour  that  arises  from  the mesothelial surfaces of the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium, or the tunica vaginalis, with  the  pleura  the  most  commonly  affected  site.   By  2015, mesothelioma  is expected to result in approximately 2,000 deaths per annum in the UK. In the US, there are approximately 3,000 cases of malignant mesothelioma diagnosed yearly. Mesothelioma historically carried a dismal prognosis but, with the advent of new treatment options and translational research, progress is being made. This article will address pleural mesothelioma.