Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the sac lining the chest or abdomen. Exposure to airborne asbestos particles increases one's risk of developing malignant mesothelioma. The cancer typically develops 20 to 40 years after a person's initial exposure to asbestos. In the United States 18,068 deaths in the United States were attributable to malignant mesothelioma from 1999 to 2005 according to a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).^[1]

[edit] See also

Mesothelioma, which may also be benign

[edit] External links

• Asbestos topic page from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Malignant mesothelioma entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

[edit] References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the U.S. National Cancer Institute document "Dictionary of Cancer Terms".

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