Mesothelioma is a rare form of aggressive cancer that affects people who have had a long and sustained history of either direct or indirect exposure to asbestos, a mineral which had been used in a lot of industrial products, especially in the 19th century, until its cancerous effects were revealed to the public. Asbestos particles float around in the ari and enter the body, most commonly through the nose or the sputum and settle in the lungs to form malignant mesothelioma cells. There are three kinds of mesothelioma that can happen to a person with prolonged asbestos exposure.

The first and the most common type is called Pleural Mesothelioma. In this the malignant cells are formed in the lining or the sac that encloses the lungs within. It also contains a thin membrane called the mesothelium which helps the movement of the lungs while breathing. The asbestos fibers cause irreparable damage to the mesothelium. However, about 75% of all mesothelioma cases are cases of pleural mesothelioma, since most of the asbestos particles are airborne and enter the victim through the nose.

The second form of mesothelioma is called Peritoneal Mesothelioma. This affects the peritoneum which is the membrane surrounding the gastrointestinal tract and provides it with lubrication to assist movement. In this kind of mesothelioma, the tumours develop on the stomach lining.

The third form of mesothelioma is the rarest form and is called Pericardial Mesothelioma. In this the pericardium or the membrane that covers and lubricates the heart is affected by the asbestos particles. The latter shred the pericardium and cause genetic mutations to occur, ultimately resulting in mesothelioma. Usually 5% of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial mesothelioma.

All the three forms of mesothelioma have common courses of treatment which include radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. The last form is usually the most drastic form of treatment where the cancer cells are operated upon. These treatments do not aim at a complete cure and aim to extend the lifespan of the patient by five or more number of years. As of yet, no certain cure has been found and experiments are on at full course. Immunotherapy is another experimental form of treatment that is slowly yielding results.