About Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. If you or someone you know has mesothelioma cancer, this overview will help you understand the disease in greater detail.

Mesothelioma most often occurs in the thin membrane lining the lungs or abdomen. Between 2,000 - 4,500 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. Though the disease does not usually manifest itself until several decades after the exposure to asbestos, once mesothelioma appears it progresses very rapidly.

Because of the time lag between exposure and the onset of the disease, and because its initial symptoms often mimic common minor ailments, you may not realize you have mesothelioma until you are already experiencing its effects.

This section provides answers to common questions about the two main types of this disease: pleural mesothelioma (chest) and peritoneal mesothelioma (abdominal).