Mesothelioma Types

What Are the Types of Mesothelioma?

All mesothelioma types develop in the thin layer of tissue called the mesothelium, which covers many internal organs. There are four mesothelioma types, and each corresponds with a specific location in the body where the cancer starts.

Malignant mesothelioma can occur in the linings of the:

• Lungs (pleural mesothelioma)
• Abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma)
• Heart (pericardial mesothelioma)
• Testes (testicular mesothelioma)

Mesothelioma can also be categorized by cell type. The three primary mesothelioma cancer cell types are: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with any type of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may have legal options. A mesothelioma law firm can review the facts of your case and seek compensation on your behalf if you qualify.

The Link Between Mesothelioma and Asbestos

All mesothelioma types are caused by asbestos, a mineral used to make thousands of products for most of the 20th century. The companies that made these products knew the dangers for decades but kept quiet to protect their profits.

About 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the United States as a result of this corporate greed. Those affected may be able to file a mesothelioma lawsuit against the asbestos companies that harmed them and seek compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.

“Your insurance doesn’t pay for everything. You need the compensation. You need it for your treatments. You need it for your transportation.”

– Mary Jane Williams, 15-year mesothelioma survivor

Mesothelioma lawsuits award over $1 million on average, and most patients are able to access money without going to court. Taking legal action also holds negligent asbestos companies accountable and sends a message that their actions are unacceptable.

Get a free case review right now to see if we may be able to help you seek justice and compensation, no matter which mesothelioma type you have.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

Take the first step toward compensation and justice for mesothelioma.

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Legal Compensation for All 4 Types of Mesothelioma

Since negligent companies knew of the risk factors of asbestos but hid them, those diagnosed with mesothelioma may be able to take legal action and pursue compensation.

LawFirm.com works with mesothelioma lawyers who have secured over $9.6 billion for families affected by all four mesothelioma types.

Mesothelioma settlements and verdicts secured by our legal partners include:

• $60 million to a New York laborer with pleural mesothelioma
• $34 million on behalf of a mechanic with pleural mesothelioma
• $4.93 million for a woman with peritoneal mesothelioma due to secondhand exposure
• $3.26 million to an insulator with peritoneal mesothelioma in Illinois
• $2 million for a Massachusetts union laborer with testicular mesothelioma
• $1.58 million to lumberyard worker with testicular mesothelioma in Wisconsin
• $1.36 million on behalf of a tanker driver in Virginia with pericardial mesothelioma
• $1.2 million to a truck driver in Alabama with pericardial mesothelioma
• $1 million for a medical writer in Pennsylvania with pericardial mesothelioma
• $3.84 million to a restaurant worker in Ilinois diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma
• $10 million for a boiler tender with pleural mesothelioma
• $15 million to the family of a New York construction worker with pleural mesothelioma

“We spent all of our savings, so we were busy looking for more ways to find money to pay for my treatment. If we hadn’t gotten a mesothelioma settlement, we probably wouldn’t be where we are today.”

– Dr. Bonnie Snyder, 2-year mesothelioma survivor

If you or someone you love is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, consider reaching out to a law firm to see if you may be entitled to mesothelioma compensation that can allow you to get treatments and live as long as possible.

The Main Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can form in four main parts of the body. In most patients, the cancer starts in the lining of the lungs or abdomen. Rare cases can also form in the heart or testicle linings. Learn more about mesothelioma types.

Pleural Mesothelioma

This is the most common type, accounting for over 75% of cases, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). It occurs in the lining of the lungs (pleura).

In the early stages of malignant pleural mesothelioma, the cancer is only in the chest and hasn’t metastasized (spread) to nearby lymph nodes.

Early diagnosis is important since pleural mesothelioma is easier to treat before it has spread. Common treatment options include mesothelioma surgery to remove the lung lining or the lung itself, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are often vague and associated with more common illnesses like pneumonia.

Common pleural mesothelioma symptoms include:

• A cough that won’t go away
• Chest and back pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath

If you’re experiencing any mesothelioma symptoms, check in with your health care provider and share your asbestos exposure history with them.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common mesothelioma type, representing up to 15% of all cases, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center. It develops in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).

Patients with this type of mesothelioma have a better prognosis (health outlook) than those with pleural mesothelioma since the cancer responds better to treatments.

One common treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma is cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC (heated chemotherapy), which may extend patients’ life expectancies and survival rates.

If surgery isn’t possible, less aggressive treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy to reduce mesothelioma tumors and palliative care to relieve symptoms, may be used.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Since this cancer affects abdominal organs, patients often develop symptoms related to digestion and appetite. As with symptoms associated with other mesothelioma types, these typically begin as mild and worsen over time.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include:

• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Digestive issues
• High fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Weight loss and loss of appetite

Your doctor can run diagnostic tests to get to the bottom of your symptoms and order a biopsy, the only way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the heart (pericardium), is one of the rarest types of mesothelioma, with only about 350 reported cases. It is often mistaken for other cardiac conditions and may not be diagnosed until after death.

Symptoms of mesothelioma of the heart include heart palpitations, chest pain, and a persistent cough.

Treatment options for pericardial mesothelioma are limited, but surgery and chemotherapy could be used if a diagnosis is made early on. In advanced cases, doctors typically focus on making the patient comfortable and managing their pain through palliative care.

Testicular Mesothelioma

Testicular mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the testicles (tunica vaginalis) and is the rarest kind of this cancer, making up less than 1% of cases.

Common symptoms of testicular mesothelioma include fluid buildup in the scrotum and swelling of the testicles.

Though rare, this mesothelioma type is highly treatable with surgery and chemotherapy and has a favorable prognosis, with patients living for about 4 years on average.

If you’ve been diagnosed with any of the different mesothelioma types, you may be entitled to compensation. See if a top mesothelioma lawyer may be able to access compensation on your behalf during a free case review.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

Take the first step toward compensation and justice for mesothelioma.

Get a Free Case Review

Mesothelioma Cell Types

Mesothelioma cell type refers to which cells make up a person’s cancer tumors. Cell type affects a patient’s mesothelioma treatment plan and prognosis, since some types of cells respond better to treatment.

The different mesothelioma cell types are:

1. Epithelioid mesothelioma: This is the most common cell type, accounting for the majority of cases. Mesothelioma epithelioid type cells are uniform in shape and clump together, so they spread more slowly and are easier to treat.
2. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma: This cell type makes up about 10-20% of cases. Mesothelioma sarcomatoid type cells are spindle-shaped and aggressive, making them more difficult to treat.
3. Biphasic mesothelioma: Also known as mixed mesothelioma, this type contains both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells and accounts for about 20-30% of cases. The prognosis and treatment response depends on the ratio of epithelioid to sarcomatoid cells, with more epithelioid cells leading to a better outcome​.

Oncologists (cancer doctors) determine your mesothelioma cell type by taking a small sample of cancer cells from the affected area through a biopsy and looking at them under a microscope.

Each mesothelioma cell type responds differently to cancer treatments, so an accurate diagnosis can improve your mesothelioma prognosis and quality of life.

Legal Help for All Types of Mesothelioma

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be devastating, affecting patients physically, emotionally, and financially. The average cost of mesothelioma treatment is over $400,000 — a sum many may not be prepared for.

Our legal partners never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees and can help families in all 50 states.

They can explore all sources of mesothelioma compensation you may qualify for, like asbestos trust funds and out-of-court settlements, to maximize your total payout.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill in our form to see if they may be able to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.