The most common primary malignant tumor of the pleura is malignant mesothelioma

The most common primary malignant tumor of the pleura is malignant mesothelioma, an insidious neoplasm with a dismal prognosis arising from the mesothelial surfaces of the pleura. Malignant mesothelioma may metastasize to lymph nodes outside thorax.

Individuals with a history of extended asbestos exposure are at the highest risk for developing malignant mesothelioma. Even a small exposure to this cancer-causing material can result in malignant mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma has a latency of up to thirty-forty years. There are three major types of malignant mesothelioma, epithelial, sarcomatoid, and mixed. Epithelial mesothelioma is most common.