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Understanding Mesothelioma

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Understanding Mesothelioma
By Nicky Joe Mentroe
Sep 5, 2009
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is often associated with high and prolonged exposure to asbestos. The disease is characterized by malignant cells that develop in the mesothelium (the protective membrane that surrounds most of the body's internal organs).

The cancer is commonly found in the outer lining of the lungs (pleura), the inside lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). The two most common types of mesothelioma are pleural and peritoneal.

Who is at Risk?

Exposure to asbestos is a significant risk factor. People who have worked in jobs where they have been exposed asbestos and family members of these workers who

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