Varieties of mesothelioma can be broken down into three histological types of cancer cells. Each of these cells behave in a unique way and determining the type of cancer cell can be helpful in establishing a prognosis and prediction of how the cancer will behave within a give patient. The three types of cancer cells are epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic mesothelioma cells. Let's examine each of these briefly with regards to prominence, shape, and overall cancer behavior.
Epithelioid Mesothelioma Cancer CellsEpithelioid mesothelioma cells are the most common variety, constituting approximately 50-70% of all mesothelioma cells. These cells are distinctly uniform in shape, with tubular pattern appearance and a clear cell nucleus visible under microscope examination. The individual cells are shaped like small cubes or multi-side boxes. These cells bear a striking resemblance to adenocarcinoma cells, which are a variety of lung cancer. For this reason, mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed by a physician untrained in the specifics of the disease. Shape distinction under high powered microscope can assist in distinguishing the two separate malignancies, but chemical analysis may ultimately be the best factor in determining the precise nature of the disease.
Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Cancer CellsSarcomatoid mesothelioma cells are the rarest variety of mesothelioma, constituting only 10-15% of mesothelioma malignancies. These cells are oblong and oval in appearance, with a nucleus that is far less visible than their epethelioid counterparts. Because of a similar appearance, the sarcomatoid cancer cells can easily be confused with their close counterparts, the sarcoma cancer cell. It is Sarcoma cancer cells have nearly identical physical and chemical properties as sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells, but occur in distincty different regions of the body. Those diagnosed with sarcoma and know they may have been exposed to asbestos should alert their physician to the possibility of a misdiagnosis.
Biphasic Mesothelioma CellsBiphasic mesothelioma cells are actually a combination of both sarcomatoid and epithelioid mesothelioma cells in the body and constitute anywhere from 20-40% of mesothelioma cells. These cells can occur in the same tumor but will typically be marked by transitional lines upon closer examination under a microscope. A mix of boxy epithelioid cells with visible nuclei and oval and oblong sarcomatoid cells will be indicative of a biphasic malignancy.