mesothelioma

noun

me·​so·​the·​li·​o·​ma ˌme-zə-ˌthē-lē-ˈō-mə 

ˌmē-,

-sə-

plural mesotheliomas also mesotheliomata ˌme-zə-ˌthē-lē-ˈō-mə-tə 

ˌmē-,

-sə-

: a usually malignant tumor derived from mesothelial tissue (such as that lining the peritoneum or pleura)

Examples of mesothelioma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Finally, she was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. —Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025

This includes melanoma—the most dangerous type of skin cancer—and mesothelioma—mainly affecting the lining of the lungs, though can also affect the lining of the stomach, heart of testicles. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025

In addition, a deadly cancer called mesothelioma is closely linked to asbestos exposure, though links to talc are less clear (partly because mesothelioma is extremely rare). —Matt Fuchs, Time, 23 July 2025

Generally, asbestos is known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and laryngeal cancer. —ArsTechnica, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mesothelioma

• cholesteatoma
• epithelioma
• lymphogranuloma
• medulloblastoma
• retinoblastoma
• adenocarcinoma
• choriocarcinoma
• pheochromocytoma
• ambystoma
• atheroma
• carcinoma
• coloboma

Medical Definition

mesothelioma

noun

me·​so·​the·​li·​o·​ma ˌmez-ə-ˌthē-lē-ˈō-mə, ˌmēz-, ˌmēs-, ˌmes- 

plural mesotheliomas also mesotheliomata -mət-ə 

: a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue (as that lining the peritoneum or pleura)