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Types of Mesothelioma

If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, you likely have a lot of questions about this type of cancer. You deserve answers, and the best place to get them is from your doctor, since following your treatment plan can improve your quality of life.

If you’re worried about how you’ll afford your treatment options, you should contact a law firm devoted to getting mesothelioma patients compensation from the party responsible for long-term asbestos exposure. After all, mesothelioma is typically caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, which are known to irritate the mesothelium lining certain organs, resulting in cancerous tumors.

So, if your lawyer can prove that your mesothelioma diagnosis is due to asbestos exposure, you may be eligible for compensation. Before initiating a legal claim, ensure you understand the different types of mesothelioma. While they are most often categorized by which organs they affect, they can also be grouped by cell types. Consider what you need to know about the types of malignant mesothelioma, and then contact Frost Law Firm for help with your case.

What Is Pleural Mesothelioma?

The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which is found to affect the lining of the lungs. Malignant pleural mesothelioma develops when you breathe in asbestos fibers, causing mesothelioma tumors to eventually grow along the lining of the lungs and chest cavity.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are:

  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dry cough
  • Loss of appetite
  • Coughing up blood
  • Weight loss

The average life expectancy of malignant pleural mesothelioma is about 18 months with treatment. Some treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the stage of pleural mesothelioma. If you can’t afford your recommended treatment plan for malignant pleural mesothelioma, contact a law firm known for helping mesothelioma patients get compensated.

You can schedule a free consultation at Frost Law Firm for help pursuing compensation after a pleural malignant mesothelioma diagnoses.

What Is Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

The next most common type of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdominal cavity, also referred to as the peritoneum. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma forms when asbestos fibers are inhaled, though the fibers may also be swallowed. When this occurs, malignant tumors may grow on the lining of the abdominal organs, such as the liver, stomach, or intestines.

The most common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are:

  • Pain in the abdomen
  • Bloating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Bowel changes

The life expectancy of peritoneal mesothelioma patients who get treatment is about three years, which is longer than it is for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. However, peritoneal mesothelioma is not as common as pleural mesothelioma, so less is known about it.

There are clinical trials with mesothelioma specialist taking place to better treat peritoneal mesothelioma, but in the meantime, peritoneal patients should talk to a lawyer about how to afford their mesothelioma treatments plan.

What Is Pericardial Mesothelioma?

The other types of mesothelioma are extremely rare compared to pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Among the rarest mesothelioma types is pericardial mesothelioma. This affects the lining of the heart, also called the pericardium. Researchers believe that pericardial mesothelioma forms due to asbestos exposure, similar to the other types of mesothelioma.

The most common symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are:

  • Chest pain
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Dry cough
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swelling in the legs
  • Fluid buildup in and around the pericardium

The treatment options for pericardial mesothelioma can include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. However, this type of mesothelioma is often diagnosed at a later stage of the disease, after the cancer cells have spread, so the life expectancy is usually six months. If you were diagnosed with this type of malignant mesothelioma and need help affording radiation therapy and other treatment options, contact a law firm to see if you qualify to seek compensation.

What Is Testicular Mesothelioma?

Another rare type of mesothelioma is testicular mesothelioma. This type of cancer develops in the lining of the testicle, which is also called the tunica vaginalis. Due to its rarity, not much is known about testicular mesothelioma, except that it is caused by asbestos exposure.

The most common symptoms of this type of malignant mesothelioma are:

  • Swelling in the scrotum
  • Testicular lumps
  • Fluid buildup in the scrotum
  • Inguinal mass that mimics a hernia

The average life expectancy of testicular mesothelioma is longer than that of other types of mesothelioma, as it’s about six years with treatment. Your treatment methods can include radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy, though you might be eligible for clinical trials. If you’re worried about your ability to afford to treat mesothelioma, contact a law firm that has helped malignant mesothelioma patients get the compensation they deserve.

What Are the Most Common Mesothelioma Cell Types?

While the different types of mesothelioma are often grouped by what part of the body they affect, they can also be categorized based on the cancer cell types that cause mesothelioma tumors. The three cell types are epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic. The cell type determines how fast a mesothelioma tumor spreads and how it responds to treatment, so it’s helpful to know which cell type your mesothelioma diagnosis involves.

Epithelial Cells

Most mesothelioma cases involve epithelial cells. This is good because epithelial mesothelioma is considered the easiest type of malignant mesothelioma to treat. Though epithelioid mesothelioma can develop quickly, it does not spread throughout the body very fast since epithelial cells usually stick together. If you get treatment for this type of malignant mesothelioma, you could survive for about two to six years on average.

Sarcomatoid Cells

The next most common cell type is sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Unlike epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells do not stick together, so they can spread quickly throughout the body. As a result, sarcomatoid mesothelioma is usually harder to treat than epithelioid mesothelioma. The average sarcomatoid mesothelioma patient can live for about ten months, though certain treatments can slightly extend this.

Biphasic Cells

The biphasic cell type is a mix of sarcomatoid and epithelial cells. With this rare type of mesothelioma, your life expectancy will depend on the ratio of the cancer cell types involved. More specifically, you’ll have a better prognosis if most of the cancer cell types involved in your case are epithelial cells rather than sarcomatoid cells. On average, the life expectancy of a patient with this type of malignant mesothelioma is just over one year.

No matter which type of malignant mesothelioma you have, this diagnosis can be devastating since most patients are given only a few years to live. While radiation therapy, clinical trials, and other treatment options can extend your life expectancy by anywhere from months to years, you likely won’t get as much time to enjoy life as you had hoped.

This is why you should seek justice by pursuing compensation from asbestos manufacturers after being diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, or any other types of mesothelioma regardless of cell type or tumor location. If you want to learn how Frost Law Firm can assist with your mesothelioma legal claim, call 866-FROST-WINS.