Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a primary health issue which preoccupies the health professional community worldwide. The main cause of the disease is the environmental exposure to asbestos. Because of the lack of relevant symptomatology, the disease is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Despite the progress in the therapeutic means, the mortality of the disease remains high. Τhe optimal approach to the disease consists of the preventive efforts to remove asbestos materials, the early diagnosis and proper early therapeutic treatment. Despite the fact that new cases of MPM are diagnosed, it is believed that the incidence of the disease is declining. In this study an overview of the epidemiology, etiology, mechanisms of pathophysiology and symptomatology of MPM is carried out.

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