Role of p16 deletion and BAP1 loss in the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare but highly aggressive neoplasm. It has a poor prognosis and a median survival time of 20 months after diagnosis (1). Tumor development is associated with exposure to several known carcinogens such as asbestos fiber, rhesus virus 40, and radiation, of which asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor (2). The early clinical symptoms of MM lack specificity and are often characterized by large amounts of pleural effusion, which make clinical and imaging diagnoses difficult. Mesothelioma often goes undiagnosed until the late stages of the disease, at which time no marked effects can be achieved, regardless of whether the patient and medical team select surgery or radiotherapy and chemotherapy.