Describe three types of malignant mesothelioma.
Malignant mesothelioma can be categorized into pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial mesothelioma based on the location of the tumor.
Pleural mesothelioma – the most common form of malignant mesothelioma – is cancer of the thin membrane that covers the lungs and lines the walls of the chest; this membrane is called the pleura. The pleura function to assist the movement of the lungs during breathing.
A small percentage of malignant mesotheliomas originate in the abdomen. This form of the disease is referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma. The peritoneum is the lining that surrounds the stomach; it functions to protect the stomach by producing a lubricating fluid that allows the stomach to move freely during various activities.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart, which is known as the pericardium.