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.

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mesothelioma British  

/ ˌmɛzəʊˌθiːlɪˈəʊmə /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of mesothelioma

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

Example Sentences

All the claimants have cancers - such as ovarian and mesothelioma - that they allege are linked to asbestos exposure.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Asbestos lawsuits have helped to provide some compensation to mesothelioma victims.

From Slate • Apr. 27, 2026

Payouts to mesothelioma victims can top $1 million.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

Earlier this year a Los Angeles County jury hit Johnson & Johnson with a $966 million judgment in a lawsuit claiming the company’s baby powder gave a woman mesothelioma, which she died of in 2021.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

Last week, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $966 million to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma.

From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025