Mesothelioma, is a disease that affects directly the mesothelium, a protective bag that covers and protects most internal organs of the body. Thus, there are different types of mesothelioma depending on the specific organ affected by the disease, so for example in the case of the lungs, mesothelioma is called pleural mesothelioma, when it affects the abdomen, is called peritoneal mesothelioma and when affects the testicles is defined as testicular mesothelioma.

Considering the above definition, the most common types of mesothelioma are:

Benign fibrous mesothelioma:  a tumor of the pleura, firm, encapsulated, of variable size.

Malignant Mesothelioma: cancer in the pleura, peritoneum or pericardium appears as an accumulation of cellular layers, some spindle-shaped and other sarcomatous.

Peritoneal mesothelioma: a tumor of the peritoneum that sometimes accompanies pleural tumors, produced by excessive exposition to asbestos. Symptoms include ascites and pain in the presence of an abdominal mass. Along with testicular mesothelioma, they have a lower incidence in relation to other types of mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma: pleural malignant mesothelioma that spreads widely invading other thoracic cavities. It usually appears as a diffuse tumor in the pleura or as multiple nodules scattered in it. There are few published cases of localized malignant mesothelioma, which is presented as a single mass, well defined, adhered to the pleura, either pedunculated or sessile form.
Pleural mesothelioma is approximately 3% of malignant neoplasms of the pleura, and when the diagnosis is made, especially in advanced stages of the disease, its course is rapid and invariably fatal, usually within the next two years. Thus, early diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma, and all types of cancer or other asbestos-related diseases like asbestosis, can enhance the quality of life and survival of the individual.

Testicular Mesothelioma: A malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginal hydrocele occurs initially and is considered as a metastatic pleural mesothelioma.