This book offers an updated review of malignant mesothelioma, including the latest advances in our understanding of its genetic control and molecular biology, as well as pre-clinical and clinical research. It also presents state-of-the-art diagnostic approaches and therapeutic options, and an open discussion on the future prospects for patient management.

Malignant mesothelioma is an enormous global health problem related to asbestos exposure. Despite the best efforts of scientists and oncologists, the prognosis for those affected remains poor. Due to anatomical characteristics and non-specific symptoms, the diagnosis of mesothelioma at an early stage is often difficult, while surgery and radiotherapy are only of limited use, even if some multimodality approaches seem promising. In turn, medical treatments are sometimes successful in tumor control, but have little impact on overall survival. However, advances in our understanding of the disease's biology, together withthe availability of new drugs and combinations, make mesothelioma an essential and highly topical field for pre-clinical and clinical studies.

This book is subdivided into four parts: epidemiology and preclinical data, diagnosis, therapy, and extrathoracic mesothelioma. It highlights the progress made in a variety of areas - e.g. in vitro and in vivo experimental models, genetics, environment, biomarkers, targeting agents, immunotherapy, metabolic imaging and ongoing clinical trials - and describes the standard clinical management of mesothelioma patients, including those with extra-thoracic localizations. Given its scope, the book offers an invaluable tool for researchers, oncologists and clinicians alike.

Epidemiology of mesothelioma

Asbestos and pathophysiology of mesothelioma
Screening issues in exposed subjects and early diagnosis
Genetics and epigenetics of mesothelioma
Microenvironment and immunology of  mesothelioma
Pre clinical models in mesothelioma
Pathological diagnosis of mesothelioma
Tissue and circulating biomarkers in mesothelioma
Diagnostic imaging of mesothelioma
Measuring malignant pleural mesothelioma
Role of metabolic imaging in mesothelioma
Staging of malignant pleural mesothelioma
Surgery and multimodality treatment in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Role of radiotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Role of chemotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Targeting angiogenesis in mesothelioma
Targeted therapies in mesothelioma
Mesothelin-targeting agents in mesothelioma
Immunotherapy of mesothelioma: vaccines and cell therapy
Immunotherapy of mesothelioma: immune checkpoints inhibitors
Peritoneal mesothelioma: diagnosis and management
Rare localizations of mesothelioma
Unmet needs and future outlook of mesothelioma management<p></p><p></p>