Mesothelioma
January 24, 2025
This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Jyoti Malhotra, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope® Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center; and Jae Y. Kim, M.D., associate professor, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, City of Hope Cancer Center Duarte
Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the cells that line certain organs, called mesothelial cells. It's a rare type of cancer — only around 3,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed more often in men than women. It's also more prevalent in White and Hispanic patients than in those who are Asian or African American. Mesothelioma affects four regions of the body: the lungs, the abdominal region, the heart and the testicles. When it affects the lungs, the average age of diagnosis is 72.
Mesothelioma symptoms may not appear until the disease has advanced. When they do occur, they may include chest or lower back pain, a persistent cough and shortness of breath.
If the care team suspects mesothelioma, they may perform a series of tests, which may differ based on the area of the body affected. These tests may include imaging scans, a biopsy and/or blood tests.
Mesothelioma treatment may depend on the disease’s location, stage and other factors. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and/or targeted therapy.
Getting mesothelioma treatment at City of Hope means you are steps away from labs developing exciting new therapies for mesothelioma every day. As a result, the latest and award-winning research we conduct moves quickly from the lab to our patients’ bedsides.
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma can be frightening. Getting through it and figuring out how to live a long life takes layers of support. At City of Hope, you get access to a strong support network, including staff to help you and your family at every step of your mesothelioma journey.
Our Mesothelioma Expertise
City of Hope is home to world experts on mesothelioma. These professionals collaborate freely and work urgently to ensure that you get the highest caliber of care. In addition, we are a leader in precision medicine, evaluating the specific characteristics of the disease to pinpoint the best treatment options.
Our Program Highlights
Our focus on translating science into patient care includes clinical trials to discover more effective drug combinations targeting mesothelioma cells. Here are some highlights of our program:
- For patients with pleural mesothelioma, lung experts who regularly treat aggressive and late-stage cancer, including complicated cases other institutions may have deemed untreatable.
- Minimally invasive surgical techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic surgeries that minimize harm to the body and speed up recovery.
- Compassionate mesothelioma care from staff members who listen and communicate openly to patient and family concerns.
- Advanced research into combination therapy with immunotherapy and chemotherapy, which may improve mesothelioma survival rates.
When we treat cancer at City of Hope, we don't just focus on high-quality care and innovation — we are working to make you whole again.
City of Hope is one of fewer than 60 facilities designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough mesothelioma treatments, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.