mesothelioma histopathology
In histological terms, there are four different types of mesothelioma: sarcomatoid, epithelial, biphasic, and desmoplastic (a variant of sarcomatoid). In terms physicians, the term refers to histopathology microscopic examination of tissue to better understand the manifestations of disease.
Mesothelioma malignant sarcomatoid is the least common of the four cell types. It is responsible for approximately 7 to 20 percent of cases. When viewed under a microscope, the malignant cells appear as elongated spindle cells are irregularly shaped and often overlap each other.
Desmoplastic Mesothelioma is considered a variant of mesothelioma sarcomatoid. This form is probably the most difficult of all mesotheliomas diagnosed. When invading or metastatic desmoplastic mesothelioma cells can look very soft and can be misdiagnosed as benign fibrous tissue. Medical experts say this form should not be diagnosed with a biopsy needle. Importantly, sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose based on histological methods. For example, cells of other cancer called pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma are very similar in appearance (and other features) for sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma.
For this reason, if diagnosed with cancer and you know you have been exposed to asbestos at some time in the past, obtaining a second opinion of diagnosis may be important. Different cancers vary widely in prognosis and treatment options, and if misdiagnosed, patients can not receive treatment most appropriate for your cancer.
Treatment and Prognosis
Each of the four forms of mesothelioma cell is usually treated the same way. The treatment is not based on the specific type of cells involved, but instead of the location of tumors and cancer stage. Each type of cancer is very different treatment. In general, sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma patients have a worse prognosis than patients with type epithelioid, sarcomatoid cancers as are more aggressive and more resistant to treatment. Unfortunately, the overall prognosis for all types generally poor, and the difference in prognosis between sarcomatoid, epithelioid, biphasic and desmoplastic cancers may amount to only a few months.
Biopsy and histopathology
The patients undergoing medical evaluation to determine a diagnosis of mesothelioma may also have to undergo a series of medical tests to determine the location and the nature of cancer.
About the Author:
Bello Kamorudeen is an health worker and author of several mesothelioma online articles.For more information on mesothelioma go to http:www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Malignant Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma-What is This?
Histopathology Lung, pleura–Mesothelioma
