| Summary: | © 2017 AMPCo Pty Ltd. Produced with Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. · The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Australia is among the highest in the world as a result of widespread use of asbestos by industry and in construction throughout the 20th century. · The risk of developing malignant mesothelioma after asbestos exposure is dose-related; a transient, low dose exposure confers a correspondingly very low risk of disease. · Malignant mesothelioma is a heterogeneous disease, partly explaining the limited role of biomarkers in screening and diagnosis. · The prognosis remains poor, and early advice on medico-legal compensation and a collaborative team approach to managing malignant mesothelioma are both essential. · Chemotherapy can have a modest treatment effect in some people. New therapies, such as immunotherapy, do not yet have a defined role in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. · As treatment options for malignant mesothelioma are limited and no cure is available, there is no established role for early detection or screening of at risk populations. · A multidisciplinary approach to caring for patients with malignant mesothelioma and their carers is vital.
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