Peritoneal Mesothelioma Affects Older Men

One of the fatal types of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma in which the cancerous cells attack the lining of the abdomen which is called the peritoneum. The peritoneum is a thin membrane, which protects or shields various organs of the abdomen and also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects this lining, is still a relatively rare disease that accounts for about one fifth of all mesothelioma cases. Its only known cause in the U.S. thus far is previous exposure to asbestos.
Though mesothelioma is neither age nor sex specific, peritoneal mesothelioma is mostly seen in men who are in the age group encompassing 50-70 year olds.