Final answer:
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelial cells linked to asbestos exposure, discovered through geographic clusters around asbestos mining sites in the 1960s.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mesothelioma is a malignancy of mesothelial cells that line the serous membranes caused by exposure to asbestos. This rare form of cancer is commonly found in the thin lining of the lung, chest, and rarely, the abdomen and heart. It was during the 1960s that researchers observed geographic clusters of mesothelioma and linked these clusters to regions associated with the mining and processing of asbestos.
As the dangers became more evident, biomedical researchers were able to establish a causal relationship between prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers and various lung diseases. Among the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, a non-cancer serious lung disease.
Unlike mesothelioma, squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer that originates in the squamous cells of the epidermis and is less likely to metastasize. It is important to differentiate between mesothelioma and other types of cancer, as their causes and development can be significantly different.