Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly cancer that attacks three vital components of the human body. Mesothelioma damages the lining of the chest, abdominal cavity, and the heart. Unfortunately many cases of mesothelioma are not diagnosed in the early stages of the disease because symptoms may remain latent for decades.

Many cases of mesothelioma are caused by asbestos, a mineral fiber that was used in the construction of buildings because of its highly effective insulation and flame resistant properties. The inhalation of these fibers is directly related to the diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Over a period of decades mesothelioma destroys healthy cells by assaulting them with three main avenues of attack:

1. Epithelioid. Epithelioid mesothelioma cells are the most common and relatively easiest to treat of all types of mesothelioma. This type of cell appears to be a papillary or tubular growth that usually affects the outer membranes and linings of the internal organs and other bodily surfaces. Somewhere between 50 and 70% of all mesothelioma cases belong to this category, and although this cancer is usually extremely difficult to treat, epithelioid mesothelioma is the most likely to respond to treatment.

2. Sarcomatoid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the most serious form of mesothelioma, as it is the least likely to respond to treatment. These spindle-shaped patterns of cells that appear to overlap each other are also fortunately the rarest type of the cancer, with approximately 10 and 20% of all mesothelioma cases falling into this type. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is so dangerous because it attacks and arises from the support tissues of the body, such as bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle, and cancers in these areas are notoriously difficult and painful to treat. Patients with this form of cancer rarely live longer than six months after diagnosis.

3. Biphasic cells is the final condition. Biphasic mesothelioma is not an independent type of mesothelioma, but rather a combination of sarcomatoid and epithelioid. It is also a mixed bag of conditions in that it can take the good and bad aspects of the other two types, and almost 20-35% of all mesothelioma cases fall into either mixed or biphasic areas.

Is the Cure Finally Here?

Typically, treatment for mesothelioma depends on where the cancer actually is developed, the stage of the disease, and how old and healthy the patient is. But generally, like many other cancers, treatment for mesothelioma cancer includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a mixture of all three.

Treatment may ease the pain, and prolong the life of some patients. But unfortunately there is no cure for mesothelioma other than hope, and a strong fight. Although most mesothelioma patients do not live much longer than 12 months after diagnosis, some have lived upwards of 18 months.