There are 3 Main Types of Mesothelioma: peritoneal, pleaural and pericardial.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the peritoneum with about 250 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. It is the second most common site for mesothelioma development and accounts for 10-20% of all mesotheliomas diagnosed in the United States. Mesotheliomas are aggressive tumors arising from serous surfaces: pleura (65%-70%), peritoneum (30%), tunica vaginalis testis, and pericardium (1%-2%).Peritoneal mesothelioma was first described in 1908 by Miller and Wynn. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the abdominal lining, or peritoneum (paira-tin-e-um), which is why is is sometimes referred to as abdominal mesothelioma. This membrane supports and covers the organs of the abdomen.

The peritoneum is made of two parts, the visceral and parietal peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum covers the internal organs and makes up most of the outer layer of the intestinal tract. Covering the abdominal cavity is the parietal peritoneum.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma accounts for 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Like the other mesothelioma's, it is caused by inhaling asbestos dust. Pleural mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura Pleural mesothelioma is not a type of lung disease.It is actually cancer of the serous membranes. These membranes enclose a number of organs throughout the midsection of the body, including the lungs. The most common type of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma,  affects the serous membranes of the lungs. Pleural Mesothelioma is also called asbestos lung cancer.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma affects the lining of the heart (pericardium). . It is a common misconception that mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer; it is not. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the serous membranes. Pericardial mesothelioma is the least common of the mesothelioma's.

Other Mesothelioma Terms Explained

Malignant Mesothelioma

A rare type of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the sac lining the chest or abdomen. Exposure to airborne asbestos particles increases one's risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

Benign Mesothelioma

A noncancerous tumor of the pleura (lining of the lung and chest cavity).

Abdominal Mesothelioma

Same as Peritoneal Mesothelioma.

Sacromatoid Mesothelioma, Biphasic Mesothelioma and Epitheliod Mesothelioma...

are all sub-types of mesothelioma that are categorized according to the shape of the cells. These types of mesothelioma cells can further divide into other types of cancerous cells called:

• Clear cell
• Small cell
• Acinar cell
• Tubopapillary cell