mesothelioma

noun me·so·the·li·o·ma \ ˌme-zə-ˌthē-lē-ˈō-mə , ˌmē- , -sə- \

|Updated on: 1 Aug 2018

Definition of mesothelioma

plural mesotheliomas also mesotheliomata play \-mə-tə\

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

Recent Examples of mesothelioma from the Web

The use of asbestos in the United States has decreased dramatically in recent decades as links to health effects such as mesothelioma and lung cancer have come into focus.

— eli rosenberg, chicagotribune.com, "Asbestos sold by Russian company is branded with Trump's face," 11 July 2018
Jorge Cortez, 56, died from complications of mesothelioma in June 2017 after a stay in Galveston County Jail.

— Houston Chronicle, "Family alleges negligence led to man's death in Galveston County jail," 26 June 2018
The majority of the lawsuits that J&J faces involve claims that talc itself caused ovarian cancer, but a smaller number of cases allege that contaminated talc caused mesothelioma, a tissue cancer closely linked to asbestos exposure.

— NBC News, "Johnson & Johnson told to pay $4.7 billion in baby powder case," 13 July 2018
It’s been closely linked to mesothelioma, a form of cancer often found in the lungs.

— jef feeley, Bloomberg.com, "J&J Faces High-Stakes Trial Over 22 Women's Talc Claims," 6 June 2018
A day earlier, the panel called for $21.7 million in compensatory damages for plaintiff Joanne Anderson, who suffers from mesothelioma, a lung cancer linked to asbestos exposure.

— christopher weber, USA TODAY, "California jury recommends $25M in Johnson & Johnson baby powder lawsuit," 25 May 2018
Doctors diagnosed Anderson with pleural mesothelioma, a cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs that is often linked to exposure to asbestos.

— jen christensen, CNN, "Johnson & Johnson hit with $25.75 million verdict in talc-asbestos case," 24 May 2018
The mesothelioma cases represent a growing share of the more than 9,000 claims Johnson & Johnson faces over its talcum powder.

— sara randazzo, WSJ, "Juries Weigh Cases Over Alleged Harms of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder," 28 May 2018
Exposure to asbestos in dust or fibers can cause cancer or respiratory diseases such as mesothelioma, according to the OSHA page.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Asbestos warning posted, as floor tiles are replaced in Aberdeen post office," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mesothelioma.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.