Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the mesothelial cells.

These cells exist in

the lining that covers the outer surface of the body's organs.
Mesothelioma occurs most often in the pleura, or the lining of the lungs. However,
the cancer can also attack the linings of the heart and abdomen. The main cause is
exposure to asbestos.

In 2015, the fatlity rate for mesothelioma in the United States (U.S.) was 10.93
per million people. Only 9 percent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma live longer
than 5 years.

Cancers happen when there is uncontrolled division of mutated cells. Mesothelioma

is an aggressive form of cancer, meaning that it progresses and spreads quickly.

There are three types:

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form. It affects the pleura, or the lining
around the lungs.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form. It attacks the lining of
the abdomen, called the peritoneum.
Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form. It affects the protective layer of the
heart.

Fifty-five percent of those with mesothelioma survive for 6 months after diagnosis,
and 33 percent survive for a year.

It can take up to 30 years for symptoms to show after exposure to asbestos

particles and dust. Diagnosis often happens when the disease is already advanced.
The outcome depends on how early the malignancy can be diagnosed.

Mesothelioma is directly linked to exposure to a combination of six minerals made

from long, thin fibers called asbestos.

Asbestos is a group of minerals that occur naturally. They exist as fibers or

bundles. These fibers may be found in soil or rocks and exist in many parts of the
world naturally. Asbestos is made of silicon, oxygen and some other elements.

Asbestos is used in a range of products, especially building materials, including

siding, floor tiles, ceiling materials, and roof shingles. Its presence is also
found in friction products, such as brake parts, as well as heat-resistant fabrics,
packaging, coatings, and gaskets.

It was often used in the past to insulate products and buildings and make them
soundproof or fireproof.

When asbestos products are installed, repaired, or demolished, the fibers can
become airborne. They can then be inhaled or swallowed and become permanently
lodged in the lungs, for decades in some cases. Other organs can also be affected.

Mesothelioma can develop from these fibers.

Who is at risk?

The likelihood of developing mesothelioma is directly proportional to the length of

exposure to asbestos, and how much a person inhaled. People in jobs with high
exposure, such as on construction sites, steel mills, or power plants, have the
highest risk of developing the disease.