There are three types of mesothelioma and each one occurs in the mesothelium lining of a specific internal organ.
The pleurae are a pair of membranes that line the chest cavity and the lungs themselves. Pleural mesothelioma is the form of cancer that affects this particular lining of the lungs. Approximately 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases are of this type.
The peritoneum is the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and abdominal organs. The cancer that can affect this area is peritoneal mesothelioma, and occurs in 10 to 20 percent of documented cases.
The pericardium is the membrane that encloses the heart and in very rare cases, pericardial mesothelioma can occur in this membrane.
The pleurae are a pair of membranes that line the chest cavity and the lungs themselves. Pleural mesothelioma is the form of cancer that affects this particular lining of the lungs. Approximately 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases are of this type.
The peritoneum is the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and abdominal organs. The cancer that can affect this area is peritoneal mesothelioma, and occurs in 10 to 20 percent of documented cases.
The pericardium is the membrane that encloses the heart and in very rare cases, pericardial mesothelioma can occur in this membrane.
