mesothelioma

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

|Updated on: 20 Jun 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 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
The jury’s decision was the first to find that the health-care company’s baby powder led to a mesothelioma diagnosis and the first talcum powder case to involve a male plaintiff.

— sam wood, Philly.com, "Baby powder nets banker with cancer an $80M verdict," 11 Apr. 2018
According to a 2017 report by the Centers for Disease Control, 2,400 – 2,800 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States each year.

— newsweek legal insight, Newsweek, "Premier Law Firms 2018," 14 Mar. 2018
This should be the first playoff series sponsored by mesothelioma lawyers.

— andrew sharp, SI.com, "NBA Playoff Talking Points: Life Without Steph, the Westbrook Rule and More," 27 Apr. 2018
Johnson & Johnson and its talc supplier have been ordered to pay $80 million in punitive damages to an investment banker who said the pharmaceutical giant’s baby powder caused him to develop life-threatening mesothelioma.

— sam wood, Philly.com, "Baby powder nets banker with cancer an $80M verdict," 11 Apr. 2018
Last year, Colgate settled a mesothelioma suit headed for trial in New Jersey over a woman’s claims that the company’s Cashmere Bouquet powder caused her cancer.

— jef feeley, Bloomberg.com, "J&J Jury Set to Weigh Banker's Claims Baby Powder Caused Cancer," 4 Apr. 2018
He was diagnosed in 2016 with mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart as the result of asbestos fibers.

— dave schatz, (east brunswick, USA TODAY, "Johnson & Johnson hit with $37M verdict in asbestos-related cancer lawsuit," 6 Apr. 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.