Malignant Mesothelioma Cell Types
A malignant mesothelioma tumor may be made up of three different cell types:
Epithelial Cells – Epithelial cells appear the most frequently in malignant mesothelioma tumors, and this subtype accounts for about 50 percent of cases. These cells, which are uniform and sharply defined, feature prominent nuclei and often form complex branching patterns.
Sarcomatoid Cells – These spindle-shaped cells typically lack strong characteristics, occurring in approximately 30 percent of reported malignant mesothelioma cases.
Biphasic Cells – A malignant mesothelioma tumor is considered biphasic when both epithelial and sarcomatoid cells are present and each type accounts for at least 10 percent of the mass. Biphasic (mixed) cells are present in around 20 percent of all malignant mesothelioma reports.
Histological classifications are commonly used in developing a prognosis and treatment plan for malignant mesothelioma patients. Although the life span associated with malignant mesothelioma can be short, the subtype can account for differences in life expectancy ranging up to 200 days.
Of the subtypes, mesotheliomas involving epithelial cells are typically most responsive to treatment, resulting in a better prognosis. Sarcomatoid cells are the most stubborn when treated, and some surgeons do not consider sarcomatoid tumors as eligible for resection. Biphasic cells are also considered less responsive to treatment than epithelial.
Diagnosing what type of malignant mesothelioma a patient has can be challenging. One contributing factor is that it can be difficult to differentiate mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma, a cancer originating in glandular tissue, on small tissue specimens.
A malignant mesothelioma tumor may be made up of three different cell types:
Epithelial Cells – Epithelial cells appear the most frequently in malignant mesothelioma tumors, and this subtype accounts for about 50 percent of cases. These cells, which are uniform and sharply defined, feature prominent nuclei and often form complex branching patterns.
Sarcomatoid Cells – These spindle-shaped cells typically lack strong characteristics, occurring in approximately 30 percent of reported malignant mesothelioma cases.
Biphasic Cells – A malignant mesothelioma tumor is considered biphasic when both epithelial and sarcomatoid cells are present and each type accounts for at least 10 percent of the mass. Biphasic (mixed) cells are present in around 20 percent of all malignant mesothelioma reports.
Histological classifications are commonly used in developing a prognosis and treatment plan for malignant mesothelioma patients. Although the life span associated with malignant mesothelioma can be short, the subtype can account for differences in life expectancy ranging up to 200 days.
Of the subtypes, mesotheliomas involving epithelial cells are typically most responsive to treatment, resulting in a better prognosis. Sarcomatoid cells are the most stubborn when treated, and some surgeons do not consider sarcomatoid tumors as eligible for resection. Biphasic cells are also considered less responsive to treatment than epithelial.
Diagnosing what type of malignant mesothelioma a patient has can be challenging. One contributing factor is that it can be difficult to differentiate mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma, a cancer originating in glandular tissue, on small tissue specimens.
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