The types of mesothelioma are named for the cavity in which they develop. When cancer develops in:

• The outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall, it is called pleural mesothelioma
• The lining of the abdominal cavity, it is called peritoneal mesothelioma
• The space surrounding the heart, it is called pericardial mesothelioma
• The lining that surrounds the testicles, it is called testicular mesothelioma

The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which accounts for about three of every four cases. Both pericardial mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma are extremely rare forms of the disease.

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