Mesothelioma used to be a rare disease, but because of the widespread use of asbestos it has now been described as an epidemic around the world. The disease has proven exceptionally resistant to common forms of treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery). Mesothelioma has a very aggressive natural history with a median survival of around 9 months. There has been an explosion in knowledge about mesothelioma in the past few years, partly stimulated by the formation of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group network. This book represents a state-of-the-art review of the disease, from laboratory through to the bedside, from diagnostic procedures through to treatment and from imaging and early detection through to medico-legal aspects. It will be of interest to any clinician or scientist with any involvement in asbestos-related diseases, as well as members of the legal profession and anyone with an interest in respiratory diseases.

The North American Experience of Malignant Mesothelioma. History and Experience of Mesothelioma in Europe. The History of Mesothelioma in Australia 1945-2000. Mesothelioma and exposure to Asbestos in South Africa 1956-1962. Clinical and Palliative Care Aspects of Malignant Mesothelioma. Pleuroscopy in the Management of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Pathology of Mesothelioma. Surgery and Staging of Malignant Mesothelioma. Imaging in Mesothelioma. Treatment of Malignant Mesothelioma: Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy. Gene Therapy for Malignant Mesothelioma - 'Suicide gene' and Immunological Approaches. Photodynamic Therapy and Pleural Mesothelioma. Doctors in the Courtroom: Medico-Legal Aspects of Mesothelioma in Australia. Asbestos Fibers and their Interaction with Mesothelial Cell In Vitro and In Vivo. Novel Molecular, Epidemiological, and Therapeutic issues in Mesothelioma: The Role of SV40. The Molecular Pathogenesis of Mesothelioma. Immunotherapy of Malignant Mesothelioma. Epidemiology of Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma in Japan.