ABSTRACT
Malignant mesothelioma is an invariably fatal malignancy that arises from mesothelial cells lining the serosal cavities. The pleural surface is the most common (>90%) primary site of malignant mesothelioma, followed by the peritoneum (7%) and rarely the pericardium or tunica vaginalis. The global incidence of mesothelioma is predicted to continue to rise significantly, especially in developing countries, and the economic costs of malignant mesothelioma are hugeestimated to be US$200 billion in the United States and $80 billion in Europe over the next 40 years.
