Types of mesothelioma

There are 2 main types of mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma
The pleural type grows in the tissues covering the lungs. The peritoneal type grows in the tissue lining the inside of the abdomen (tummy). Pleural mesothelioma is much more common than peritoneal mesothelioma.

Between 7 and 8 out of 10 (70-80%) cases of mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is much less common, making up between 1 and 2 out of every 10 cases (10 - 20%).