Keywords: Asbestosis; Environmental medicine; Mesothelioma; Neoplasms, epidemiology; Review article
Abstract: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Australia is among the highest in the world as a result of widespread use of asbestos by industry and in construction throughout the 20th century. ∙ The risk of developing malignant mesothelioma after asbestos exposure is dose-related; a transient, low dose exposure confers a correspondingly very low risk of disease. ∙ Malignant mesothelioma is a heterogeneous disease, partly explaining the limited role of biomarkers in screening and diagnosis. ∙ The prognosis remains poor, and early advice on medico-legal compensation and a collaborative team approach to managing malignant mesothelioma are both essential. ∙ Chemotherapy can have a modest treatment effect in some people. New therapies, such as immunotherapy, do not yet have a defined role in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. ∙ As treatment options for malignant mesothelioma are limited and no cure is available, there is no established role for early detection or screening of at risk populations. ∙ A multidisciplinary approach to caring for patients with malignant mesothelioma and their carers is vital