Three Types of Malignant Mesothelioma Cells

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Cancer

The following are three categories of mesothelioma cancer cells:

• Biphasic mesothelioma cancer
• Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cancer
• Epithelioid mesothelioma cancer

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, the most serious type of mesothelioma, rarely responds to treatment.  Approximately 10% to 20% of mesothelioma patients have sarcomatoid mesothelioma. 

Sarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in the body's supportive tissues such as the fat, muscle, bone or cartilage. The other two are biphasic mesothelioma and epithelioid mesothelioma. These types of mesothelioma cells can further divide into other types of cancerous cells including tubopapillary cells, clear cells, acinar cells and small cells.

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is hard to diagnose and has been mostly resistant to treatment. It can be mistaken for other sarcomas because it has a similar cell structure and originates in the same parts of the body. For example, pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma is often confused with sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Patients may exhibit similar symptoms including trouble breathing, chest pain and pleural effusions.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma or a high grade sarcoma of the lungs and has been exposed to asbestos, seek a second opinion from an oncologist who specializes in mesothelioma.

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