Epithelioid mesothelioma is accountable for a major portion of all mesothelioma cancer cells. An estimated 50-70% of all cancer cells for mesothelioma are a result of epithelioid mesothelioma. The pattern of the cells is very interesting; they are uniformly shaped, and form a tubular pattern. Epithelioid mesothelioma has a better life expectancy than the other forms of mesothelioma, and patients diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma, have more of a chance of surviving than patients diagnosed with other types of mesothelioma, such as malignant pleural mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma is caused when the harmful particle, asbestos, is released into the air. Many of the individuals who suffer from epithelioid mesothelioma are people who have worked in factories, industries, mines, construction, and in any other place where exposure to asbestos is common. A majority of these individuals were kept uninformed as to the dangers in their working situations. Since symptoms for all mesothelioma cases take at least 20-50 years after exposure to asbestos to appear, these individuals find that they have been deceived a little too late sometimes. Right after diagnosis, the patient may have only a few more months to live, and only a few more months at a chance of therapy and treatment. Forms of treatment may include: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, among others. The type of treatment the doctor recommends for the patient depends in some part on how serious the situation is for the patient at the time of diagnosis. Some patients may wait too long until they consult a physician about their symptoms, while others may report their symptoms immediately to a physician, and therefore, have more time and more of a chance at successful treatment and a longer life.