Malignant mesothelioma cells come in three distinct types:

Malignant mesothelioma cells come in three distinct types: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an asbestos related tumour difficult to detect early and treat effectively. Malignant mesothelioma of the pleura is divided in three morphological variants: epithelioid, sarcomatous, and biphasic. Histological similarities between epithelioid malignant mesothelioma (EMM) and lung adenocarcinoma are responsible for the difficult differential diagnosis.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common cell type, constituting approximately 50% to 70% of all malignant mesothelioma. Fifty to seventy percent of malignant mesothelioma is considered epithelial malignant mesothelioma. Epithelial malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that effects the epithelial or tissue membranes that line the organs. Mesothelioma is cancer to any of the tissues that surround internal organs.