Types of mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is named for the lining where it starts. The location shapes the symptoms, the tests, and the treatment choices.
Last reviewed October 27, 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this page.
In short
- Pleural (chest) mesothelioma is by far the most common: more than 8 in 10 cases.
- Peritoneal (abdomen) mesothelioma makes up most of the rest.
- Pericardial (heart lining) and testicular (tunica vaginalis) mesothelioma are rare.
- Separately, doctors describe the cell type: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic.
Four places it can start
| Type | Starts in | How common (American Cancer Society) | Common first symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleural | The pleura, the lining around the lungs and inside the chest wall | More than 8 in 10 cases | Chest or lower back pain, shortness of breath, cough |
| Peritoneal | The peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen | Most of the remaining cases | Belly pain or swelling, nausea, loss of appetite |
| Pericardial | The pericardium, the sac around the heart | Rare | Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath |
| Testicular | The tunica vaginalis, the covering of the testicles | Very rare | Swelling or a lump in the scrotum |
Each type has its own page with more detail. Because the disease can spread within a body cavity, doctors sometimes find it in more than one lining.
Three cell types
Separately from where it starts, a pathologist (a doctor who studies tissue under a microscope) describes how the cancer cells look. This is called the histology or subtype:
- Epithelioid: about 6 in 10 mesotheliomas. It tends to have a better outlook.
- Sarcomatoid: about 1 in 10. It includes a form called desmoplastic mesothelioma, and it tends to be harder to treat.
- Biphasic or mixed: contains both epithelioid and sarcomatoid areas, about 3 in 10.
NCI's summary for health professionals notes that the subtype affects prognosis and can affect which treatments are offered. If your report does not name a subtype, ask why. Sometimes a small needle sample is not enough to tell, and a larger biopsy is needed. See diagnosis and staging.
Benign tumors that sound similar
Not every tumor of the lining is cancer. Some rare growths of the mesothelium are benign (not cancer) or behave in a less aggressive way, and their names can sound alarming. If your report uses a term you do not recognize, ask your doctor whether the tumor is malignant and look it up in our glossary.
Why the type matters for a legal claim
For legal purposes, all four types can be linked to asbestos exposure, and the same records matter: the pathology report that confirms the diagnosis and a history of where exposure may have happened. A lawyer will usually ask for the pathology report later. You do not need to send it through any website form.
Tell us what happened. A lawyer from a participating firm can call you to talk through your options.
Start the free reviewThis page is general health information, summarized from the sources below. It is not medical advice. Talk with your own doctor or care team about your situation.