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Mesothelioma is a benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, found in the pleura, a thin membrane between the lungs and the chest cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the other type. According to how the cells look in the microscope, mesothelioma can be divided into three sub-categories: epithelioid (the most common), sarcomatoid, and biphasic.
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.
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