Mesothelioma Information
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What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which affects the protective lining, or mesothelium, which covers most internal organs. Often times, mesothelioma occurs in the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall, the abdominal cavity, or sac surrounding the heart (pericardium).
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare disease. Less than 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer each year, and the average age of people afflicted is between 50 and 70 years old.
Mesothelioma is strongly associated with exposure to asbestos, and can remain latent in those exposed for 30 to 40 years.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are two main types of mesothelioma cancer: pleural, in which the cancer affects the lining of the chest and peritoneal, which affects the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Pleural is the more common of the two, accounting for approximately three out of every four cases. Peritoneal comprises the bulk of the remainder of mesothelioma cancers. Other, extremely rare forms of mesothelioma cancer affect the lining of the heart (the pericardium) or testicles.
Next Topic: Mesothelioma Risk Factors
