Malignant mesothelioma: Clinical and imaging findings

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare tumor. The incidence has been rising since the 1970s with a male to female ratio of 5:1 which is likely due to the increased frequency of occupational exposure to asbestos in men. The clinical and imaging features of malignant mesothelioma vary widely depending on the stage of presentation. A significantly high index of suspicion is required to make a diagnosis due to the nonspecific nature of the symptoms, signs, and early radiology. Invasive surgical procedures are often required to obtain adequate tumor tissue samples to secure the diagnosis.