mesothelioma

American  

[mez-uh-thee-lee-oh-muh, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh-] / ˌmɛz əˌθi liˈoʊ mə, ˌmɛs-, ˈmi zə-, -sə- /

noun

Pathology.

plural

mesotheliomas, mesotheliomata

1. a malignant tumor of the covering of the lung or the lining of the pleural and abdominal cavities, often associated with exposure to asbestos.

---

mesothelioma British  

/ ˌmɛzəʊˌθiːlɪˈəʊmə /

noun

1. a tumour of the epithelium lining the lungs, abdomen, or heart: often associated with exposure to asbestos dust

---

Etymology

Origin of mesothelioma

First recorded in 1905–10; mesotheli(um) + -oma

Example Sentences

Liz Darlison, chief executive at Mesothelioma UK, said the country "shamefully has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in the world" with research urgently needed.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Almost two years on, he said a new support service for people like him who are living with mesothelioma has been "invaluable" for him and his family in dealing with the diagnosis.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Payouts to mesothelioma victims can top $1 million.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

The Maryland woman, Cherie Craft, claimed Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder exposed her to asbestos, leading to her diagnosis of mesothelioma in January 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

The complainants allege that their use of the baby powder caused diseases such as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, a type of cancer that develops in the lining of internal organs, between 1965 and 2023.

From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025