Additional Information
Mesothelioma Cancer Cell Types
Malignant mesothelioma cancer is divided into one of three subtypes: epithelial mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma or biphasic (mixed) mesothelioma.
Patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma receive a great deal of information regarding the different types of mesothelioma - pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. These three types of malignant mesothelioma are location-specific, but should not be confused with the identification of the different types of mesothelioma cancer cells.
The three types of mesothelioma cells are sarcomatoid mesothelioma, epithelioid mesothelioma, and biphasic mesothelioma (a combination of the first two). One or more of these mesothelioma cells may be present at any given time.
Epithelioid mesothelioma cells are the most common, found in at least half of all cases of malignant mesothelioma. Detecting these cells is often difficult, because they can be mistaken for a different type of cancer called adenocarcinoma. To properly distinguish epithelioid mesothelioma cells from adenocarcinoma, they must be studied under a microscope, and their chemical makeup must be positively identified. That positive identification is key in preventing misdiagnosis and treatment for a condition other than mesotheioma.
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells are less common, occurring only in 20 to 40% of all cases. These cells must also be studied closely to avoid being misidentified as more common carcinomas. Sarcomatoid cells may be found in the type of malignant mesothelioma cells known as biphasic cells-- a combination of sarcomatoid and epithelioid cells. At one time, biphasic mesothelioma was found in 25% of all cases. Today that number is higher.
