Epithelioid Mesothelioma

🧫 What Is Epithelioid Mesothelioma?

Understanding Epithelioid Mesothelioma: From Exposure to Legal Help

Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common mesothelioma cell type, accounting for roughly 70% of all cases. It arises from epithelial cells, which line the body’s internal surfaces. These cells are uniform, well-organized, and tend to grow in cohesive clusters, making them more responsive to treatment and slower to spread than other mesothelioma types.
Source: American Cancer Society

🛠️ How Do People Get Epithelioid Mesothelioma? (Causes & Progression)

The primary cause of epithelioid mesothelioma is asbestos exposure—usually from workplace materials, older construction, or contaminated environments.

Here’s how exposure turns into disease:

Asbestos materials are disturbed
Mechanical work, demolition, or maintenance activities release asbestos dust from insulation, tiles, or machinery.

Fibers are inhaled or ingested
Tiny fibers float in the air and are breathed in or swallowed, entering the lungs or digestive tract.

Fibers reach tissue linings
Asbestos embeds in the pleura, peritoneum, or pericardium—triggering inflammation and scarring.

Dormant for decades
Embedded fibers damage cells for 20–50 years, slowly causing genetic mutations and tumor formation.

Symptoms eventually develop
Depending on tumor location, patients may experience chest pain, fluid buildup, or abdominal swelling.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed
Doctors confirm epithelioid mesothelioma through biopsy and microscopic analysis of cancer cells.

🏗️ Common Sources of Exposure:

Shipyards and Navy vessels
Power plant boiler rooms
Auto mechanic shops (brake/clutch work)
Chemical, textile, and cement plants
Secondary household exposure from asbestos dust

Asbestos exposure—even short-term—can cause mesothelioma decades later.
Source: OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration

⚠️ Early Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms depend on tumor location but often include:

Chest or abdominal pain
Cough or shortness of breath
Pleural or peritoneal effusion (fluid buildup)
Fatigue or low stamina
Unexplained weight loss
Digestive issues or bloating

These symptoms typically emerge after decades, making early detection difficult.

🧪 How Epithelioid Mesothelioma Diagnosed

Diagnosis requires detailed tissue sampling and pathology:

Imaging: CT, PET, or MRI scans locate tumors or fluid
Fluid Analysis: Thoracentesis or paracentesis tests effusion
Biopsy: Needle or surgical biopsy provides tissue sample
Histology: Confirms epithelioid cell structure and behavior
Source: NIH Study

📊 Stages of Epithelioid Mesothelioma

Staging follows standard TNM classification based on spread:

Stage 1: Localized tumors with no lymph node involvement—best outcome with surgery.
Stage 2: Tumors spread to nearby tissue and lymph nodes, but may still be operable.
Stage 3: Extensive spread to chest wall or peritoneum, requiring aggressive therapy.
Stage 4: Cancer reaches distant organs—focus shifts to symptom control and quality of life.

Epithelioid cell type improves prognosis at each stage compared to other subtypes.

💉 Treatment Options for Epithelioid Mesothelioma

Treatment is more effective for this cell type than others:

Surgery:
Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D), Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP), or Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC may remove tumors.

Chemotherapy:
Standard regimen includes Pemetrexed and Cisplatin. Epithelioid tumors often respond better to chemo than biphasic or sarcomatoid types.

Radiation Therapy:
Used to reduce tumor burden, manage symptoms, or prevent recurrence after surgery.

Immunotherapy:
FDA-approved drugs like Opdivo + Yervoy (CheckMate 743) are showing promising survival outcomes.

Clinical Trials:
Ongoing research tests new targeted therapies and genetic treatments specifically for epithelioid subtypes.

📈 Life Expectancy & Survival Rates for Epithelioid Mesothelioma

Average survival: 18–30 months
Stage 1–2: 3–5 years with multimodal therapy
Stage 3–4: 12–24 months
Better prognosis than sarcomatoid or biphasic subtypes
Source: American Cancer Society

💰 Cost of Treatment for Epithelioid Mesothelioma

Treatment expenses may range from $150,000–$500,000+:

Surgery: $40K–$100K
Chemotherapy: $30K–$70K
Immunotherapy: $150K+/year
Additional costs: Imaging, travel, prescriptions, hospital stays

Legal compensation often helps cover uninsured treatment expenses.

⚖️ Legal Help and Compensation

Epithelioid mesothelioma victims may qualify for:

Asbestos Trust Funds – $30+ billion in available funds
Lawsuits & Settlements – Often result in $1M–$2.5M compensation
VA Claims – Available for veterans exposed during military service
Wrongful Death Claims – Filed by surviving family members
MesotheliomaHelp.org – Legal Guide

📚 Lawsuit Examples for Epithelioid Mesothelioma

Shipyard Worker — $11.2 Million Verdict (2022)
Details: Exposed to asbestos wiring and pipe insulation. Diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma.
Outcome: Jury held equipment manufacturers liable.
Source: Bloomberg Law

Drywall Installer — $9.1 Million Settlement (2021)
Details: Developed pleural epithelioid mesothelioma from joint compound exposure.
Outcome: Settlement reached with multiple defendants.
Source: HarrisMartin Publishing

Power Plant Mechanic — $10 Million Verdict (2019)
Details: Worked near turbines wrapped in asbestos insulation for decades.
Outcome: Jury awarded damages against insulation providers.
Source: Mealey’s Litigation Report

Custodian — $6.5 Million Verdict (2018)
Details: Diagnosed after exposure to asbestos in school boilers and ceilings.
Outcome: Public contractors held accountable.
Source: VerdictSearch

Veteran Pipefitter — $8.3 Million Settlement (2020)
Details: Diagnosed with epithelioid peritoneal mesothelioma after Navy service.
Outcome: VA claim plus civil lawsuit awarded combined compensation.
Source: National Law Review

🔬 Research and Ongoing Studies

CheckMate 743 Trial: Shows improved survival with immunotherapy
Targeted Gene Therapy: Exploring BAP1 and other gene links
Liquid Biopsy Studies: Detecting epithelioid markers in blood
Multimodal Trials: Combining surgery, chemo, and immunotherapy

View current trials: ClinicalTrials.gov

📍 Final Prognosis

Epithelioid mesothelioma responds better to treatment than other cell types. Early-stage detection paired with aggressive therapy may offer multi-year survival.

Supportive care, legal help, and research access improve patient quality of life and financial outlook.

👨‍⚖️ How a Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help

A qualified asbestos attorney can help by:

Identifying asbestos-containing products you worked with
Filing lawsuits, trust fund claims, or VA applications
Supporting families in wrongful death actions
Navigating legal deadlines with no fees unless you win
Maximizing compensation based on diagnosis and job history

📞 Free Legal Help for Epithelioid Mesothelioma Victims

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, you may be eligible for significant compensation.

Call Now: 800.291.0963
• No upfront cost
• No legal fees unless we win
• Product identification and job site review included
• Help for veterans, workers, and families

Or request help online 24/7