Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of internal organs.

Mesothelioma most often affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs as a result of asbestos exposure. It can sometimes take more than 60 years for mesothelioma to develop after a person has been exposed to asbestos.

Although the prognosis for patients with mesothelioma is typically grim, it may improve with treatment. The GW Cancer Center’s Thoracic Oncology Program is home to a team of experts in medical oncology, radiation oncology, and pulmonology who will support patients every step of the way after a positive diagnosis.