Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the thin cell walls which surround the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum. This thin membrane acts a lubricant within the abdominal cavity so that surrounding organs and internal body structures may contract and expand within their normal body function.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an extremely rare cause of cancer. Mesothelioma is broken into four different groups: pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesoethelioma, percardial mesothelioma, and mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis. Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma life expectancy is unfortunately lower than pleural mesothelioma. The cancer in peritoneal occurs in the abdomen's tissue. The cancer is formed in the mesothelial cells.

Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer linked to chronic asbestos exposure. There has been a sharp decline in asbestos exposure since the 1970s when asbestos use was halted for most applications. However, the incubation period for mesothelioma from initial exposure to asbestos to the onset of the disease varies from 20 to 50 years. As such, deaths related to this disease have risen recently and are expected to continue rising until the year 2020.