There are several types of mesothelioma. All but one are cancerous, and most are aggressive and deadly. Some types denote the area of the body that is affected. These include pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial. Other types denote the type of cell affected. These include epithelial and sarcomatoid. Mesothelial cells produce a lubricating fluid that protects organs as they function and move.

    * Pleural
    * Peritoneal
    * Pericardial
    * Benign
    * Malignant
    * Epithelial
    * Sarcomatoid
    * Biphasic
    * Papillary

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, which begins in the lungs, is the most common type of mesothelioma accounting for 75% of all diagnoses. The root cause is exposure to asbestos. Many professions and jobs utilized and were exposed to asbestos without taking precautions, thereby putting their workers at risk to breathe in the asbestos fibers that eventually cause mesothelioma.

The cancer attacks the lining of the lungs and ribs, known as the pleura. Because the symptoms of mesothelioma take twenty or more years to present themselves, the disease is usually in the advanced stages before a diagnosis is made.

The symptoms for pleural mesothelioma are common and often misdiagnosed. This creates even more delays in completing the appropriate diagnosis and seeking proper treatment.

If you have been exposed to asbestos, notify your physician to assist with the correct diagnosis of your symptoms. Otherwise, your doctor may assume more common medical ailments, such as pneumonia, to explain your condition.

Some symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

    * Coughing
    * Fever
    * Shortness of breath
    * Weight loss

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the stomach and abdomen, is second most common after pleural mesothelioma and accounts for less than 20% of all mesothelioma cases. This type of mesothelioma is often caused by ingesting asbestos fibers. The fibers can become trapped in the digestive system, creating a tumor.

As with other mesothelioma types, peritoneal mesothelioma has a long latency period thereby delaying diagnosis and impeding treatment. Because the symptoms are common to other ailments, diagnosis can be delayed.

Some symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:

    * Swelling
    * Abdominal pain
    * Fever
    * Weight loss

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma and accounts for very few cases. This asbestos cancer affects the heart and its surrounding cavity. As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma has a long latency period thereby delaying diagnosis and impeding treatment.

Some symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include:

    * Persistent coughing
    * Chest pain
    * Palpitations
    * Shortness of breath

If you have been exposed to asbestos, make sure to notify your doctor so appropriate measures can be taken to ensure a correct diagnosis of your symptoms.
Benign Mesothelioma

Unlike all other forms of mesothelioma, benign mesothelioma is not cancerous. A tumor forms in the mesothelial layer around the heart, lungs, stomach or elsewhere in the abdomen and grows larger. However, it is not cancerous and does not spread to nearby tissues or other areas of the body.

The symptoms of benign mesothelioma are often similar to those of other types of mesothelioma, and depend, somewhat, on what area's mesothelial lining is affected. Typically, they include:

    * Pressure, tightness, swelling or pain in the affected area
    * For peritoneal (abdomen): nausea, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction
    * For pericardial (heart): heart palpitations, shortness of breath, persistent cough
    * For pleural (lungs): shortness of breath, wheezing, persistent cough

Treatment for benign mesothelioma is usually surgery. The prognosis after surgery is excellent.
Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a general term that encompasses all cancerous types of mesothelioma. To learn more about each of the types of mesothelioma including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and survival, follow these links:

    * Pleural
    * Peritoneal
    * Pericardial

Epithelial Mesothelioma

Epithelial mesothelioma is a malignant form of mesothelioma that specifically affects the epithelial cells. Epithelial cells build the tissue and membranes that line and protect the outside of organs as well as the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). 50% - 70% of all diagnosed cases of malignant mesothelioma are classified as epithelial, or epithelioid, mesothelioma. The symptoms of epithelial mesothelioma depend on the area or organ where the cancer is located such as the lungs, stomach or abdomen, or heart or if it has spread to other areas of the body.
Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is another form of malignant mesothelioma. It is responsible for between 7% and 20% of all mesothelioma cases. This type of mesothelioma can occur in most areas of the mesothelioid layer, and is classified by cell shape (oval-ish, irregular) and nucleus appearance (less visible, vague).

Symptoms are similar to other types of mesothelioma and depend on the area the disease begins and the stage of the disease. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma may be confused with other sarcoma types of cancer, and as a result may be more difficult to diagnose. There is some evidence to suggest that this type of mesothelioma may be even more aggressive and resistant to treatment than other types.
Biphasic Mesothelioma

Biphasic mesothelioma is diagnosed when a tumor is found in the patient that contains both epithelial mesothelioma cells and sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells—either mixed together or in separate areas of the tumor. Symptoms and treatment of the disease are similar to other types of mesothelioma and depend on the area the cancer begins, the stage the disease is in, and other factors.
Papillary Mesothelioma

Papillary mesothelioma is a very rare form of mesothelioma that is not well understood. It can occur in the heart, lungs, stomach or abdomen like other forms of mesothelioma, but also occurs in the ovaries and testicles. Some cases of papillary mesothelioma have been associated with asbestos exposure, others have not.

In a good portion of the cases that have been reported, the disease did not spread to other areas of the body, but it did show a high rate of recurrence. A uniform method of treatment has not been established, but surgery and chemotherapy have most often been used. Prognosis after treatment for this form of mesothelioma is often much better than other types of malignant mesothelioma.