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Types of Mesothelioma Cancer

There are five known types of mesothelioma cancer:
  • Pleural mesothelioma
  • Peritoneal mesothelioma
  • Pericardial Mesothelioma.
  • Testicular Mesothelioma
  • Benign Mesothelioma
Four of these are malignant cancers, and one is a benign condition.
Pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, with around 70 percent of cases being pleural in origin.
Pleural mesothelioma symptoms are often shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura. Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can also cause these signs and symptoms: chest wall pain, pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung, fatigue or anemia, wheezing, hoarseness, or cough, blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up.
More about Pleural mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma.

This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane. Approximately 25 percent of mesotheliomas are of this type.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
More about Peritoneal mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma. This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. About 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial.
When a person develops pericardial mesothelioma, they begin to exhibit cancerous growths along the tissues of the heart. Most of the signs and symptoms of this illness are similar to those of cardiovascular disease. This makes it difficult for a patient to determine what is making them feel sick. Since this type of mesothelioma is so rare, doctors find it hard to diagnose properly and determine how asbestos fibers have become lodged in that area. There are many cancers and diseases that affect the pericardial space around the heart, and pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest. Misdiagnosis is common, and treatment options are slim. It is most likely that doctors will find other types of mesothelioma, such as secondary lung cancer.
The most prevalent pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, cough, shortness of breath (as a result of increased pressure on the heart due to buildup of mass tumor) , chest palpitations, abnormal heart beats or heart palpitations (as a result of fluid buildup in the pericardium that makes it difficult for blood to flow into the heart and also makes it difficult for the ventricles to completely fill), fever and fatigue, night sweating.
More about pericardial mesothelioma
Misdiagnosis pericardial mesothelioma

Testicular Mesothelioma. This is the rarest type of malignant mesothelioma; to date, there have been less than 100 recorded cases. Testicular mesothelioma is when malignant tumors invade the tunica vaginalis; a membranous lining that surrounds, protects and insulates the testicles. Since the testicles are the reproductive organs of the human body, it can be very dangerous if they are damaged by cancerous tumors. Unlike peritoneal, pleural and pericardial mesothelioma where there is a list of common symptoms, there are no defined symptoms for testicular mesothelioma. One of the most distinguished testicular mesothelioma symptom is appearance of testicular lumps in the testicles. This is the only recognized sign by which doctors can diagnose testicular mesothelioma. Testicular lumps are usually found when a patient undergoes surgery or a biopsy.
More about testicular mesothelioma

Benign mesothelioma often has no apparent symptoms. It is frequently discovered during routine medical exams or x-rays for other health concerns. However, when symptoms are apparent, they are typically the same symptoms felt by someone with malignant mesothelioma. Both types of tumors create physical pressure on surrounding bodily organs that in-turn creates feelings of discomfort. Symptoms of benign mesothelioma of the chest cavity include shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic cough, weakness, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, raspy voice, fever, and coughing up blood. Clubbed fingers are sometimes a symptom of benign chest mesotheliomas, because they indicate a possible lack of oxygen in the blood due to pressure of the tumors on the lungs. Symptoms of benign mesothelioma of the abdominal cavity include abdominal pain or swelling, a visible mass or a mass that can be felt upon external examination, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, fever, anemia, chest pain, and weight loss. Symptoms of benign mesothelioma around the heart include chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, chronic cough, and heart palpitations.