Pleural mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive malignant tumour that originates from the pleura, the membrane lining the lungs and chest wall. It is frequently associated with occupational or environmental exposure to asbestos, even decades after contact.

Initial symptoms may include chest pain, breathlessness and pleural effusion. Diagnosis is usually made by chest imaging and pleural biopsy.

Our centre ensures a rapid and co-ordinated investigation through the Thoracic Admission Centre (CAT), an outpatient clinic dedicated to suspected thoracic neoplasia, which allows early access to examinations and diagnostic procedures.

The treatment of pleural mesothelioma requires a multidisciplinary approach: oncologists, thoracic surgeons, pneumologists, radiotherapists, radiologists and anatomic pathologists meet weekly to assess the most appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment options include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, radiotherapy, selected surgery and interventional radiology procedures. The choice of therapy depends on the stage of the disease, the patient's condition and the histological type.

At our centre, participation in national and international clinical trials is active, giving selected patients access to innovative and highly monitored treatment protocols.

Our centre is part of the board of the national network dedicated to mesothelioma MET.I (Mesothelioma Team Italy), with an active role in promoting clinical research and standardising treatment pathways.

Our team works in synergy with TUTOR (Associazione Tumori Toracici Rari), supporting the information and protection activities of pleural mesothelioma patients.