Mesothelioma
Metastatic mesothelioma is very aggressive cancer that affects cells in the pleura, a membrane that enfolds your lungs and prevents them from sticking to other tissues during breathing. The disease can also affect the abdominal lining, the peritoneum, and often spreads into the abdominal area. Mesothelioma is a disease that barely existed 100 years ago. In fact, it wasn't formally identified until the 1930s. Today, however, the incidence of the disease, although still rare, is increasing in many countries. Unlike most cancers, we know exactly what causes most cases of metastatic mesothelioma: exposure to asbestos, naturally occurring fiber-like minerals that have unique fire- and heat-resistant properties. - p. 1.