Rare Mesothelioma Cell Types are difficult to diagnose. Understanding every Rare Mesothelioma Cell Types key to providing an accurate diagnosis and the best possible treatment plan for the patient.
Table of Contents
Highlights
- Rare Mesothelioma Cell Types may be epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic.
- The prognosis for Rare Mesothelioma Cell Types varies greatly.
- Location and symptoms by rare types of mesothelioma.
- Mesothelioma subtypes can be malignant or benign.
A mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that comes in many forms. There are three main histologic rare types of mesothelioma: epithelioid,sarcomatoid, andbiphasic. Within these three types, there are many subtypes, all of which are extremely rare. If a patient is suspected of having mesothelioma, doctors must determine the type of cell to determine an accurate prognosis and the most effective treatment plan for the individual patient.
How Is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Early diagnosis is critical to determining viable, effective mesothelioma treatment options for the patient. However, mesothelioma cancer can be difficult to detect because symptoms take decades to appear after asbestos exposure, the only known cause of the disease. Asbestos exposure and other potential risk factors can alert doctors to the possibility of mesothelioma. When symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.
When symptoms come to the attention of a medical professional, they will perform visual tests to determine possible tumors, their size, and their location. If cancer is suspected, imaging scans help to determine whether the cells are benign or malignant, as well as to determine the type of cell and direct a biopsy of the tumor. Doctors rely on two tests to correctly diagnose mesothelioma: histology and cytology.
Rare Mesothelioma Cell Types
Histology And Cytology For The Diagnosis Of Mesothelioma
Histology
- Study the function and structure of anatomy
- uses tissue biopsy to classify cancer types based on the point of origin and cell type
Cytology
- Study of cells, their structure, function, and chemistry
- Uses tissue and fluids to test for cancer and other health problems
Different Types Of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose accurately for a variety of reasons. The symptoms and masses of malignantpleuralandperitonealmesothelioma often mimic other conditions and cancers, including lung,testicular, lymphoma, and other common diagnoses. Tumors may contain various cancer cells, making an accurate diagnosis difficult and requiring more than one biopsy. Rare Mesothelioma Cell Types are difficult to identify accurately because they only occur in rare cases, so experts have little information to rely. Most subtypes fall under the Each has characteristics that vary according to location, cell structure, symptoms, and recurrence rate.
Benign And Malignant Mesothelioma
After collecting a tissue sample through a biopsy, specialists determine whether the mass isbenignor malignant. Benign tumors are not cancerous and, therefore, easier to treat with a much better prognosis. Some cases of mesothelioma are benign and treated with curative surgery. The treatment plan for malignancies is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the type, stage of diagnosis, and patient characteristics such as age and health.
Patients with benign forms of mesothelioma need frequent follow-ups with a specialist for long-term monitoring of possible recurrences. Some subtypes are more likely to recur than others, and recurrences can lead to malignancy. With early detection, malignant is treated more aggressively, prolonging the life of mesothelioma sufferers.
Subtypes of Epithelioid Mesothelioma
Consideringepithelial mesotheliomais the most common, accounting for about 70% of all malignant mesothelioma cases. It is most commonly found in the pleura (the lining of the lungs) but can also occur in the abdomen, genitals, and other reproductive organs. In general, epithelial cell types are easier to treat thansarcomatoidbecause they are less aggressive and more responsive to treatment. However, rare subspecies may differ.
Adenomatoid Mesothelioma
Adenomatoid is known in the literature as glandular and microglandular mesothelioma, found in both men and women.
Characteristics Of Adenomatoid Mesothelioma
- Symptoms:cough, shortness of breath (wheezing), and chest pain
- Location:Small glandular structures are commonly seen in the gonads
- Cell structure:Flat or cuboidal cells usually line small, glandular structures, usually the gonads.
- Metastasis:potential for local and distant metastases
Most cases of adenomatoid mesothelioma are benign, but they can be malignant. The typical treatment regimen issurgery, intending to remove the entire tumor when necessary. For malignant diagnoses, mesothelioma patients may undergo multimodal treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation). Local or distant recurrence may occur, so long-term monitoring is important regardless of its benign nature.
Cystic Mesothelioma
Cystic mesothelioma, commonly called multicystic mesothelioma, generally has a better prognosis than other subtypes. It is most commonly seen in women of reproductive age and is often consideredbenign cystic mesothelioma.
Characteristics Of Cystic Mesothelioma
- Symptoms:Abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and pelvic tenderness
- Location:Most commonly seen in the peritoneum or pelvic peritoneum. but occasionally occurs in other pelvic structures.
- Cell structure:flat or cuboidal, forming localized cysts with thin walls
- Metastasis:Metastasis is not common for this type of cancer
Surgery has proven to be very effective for this type of mesothelioma. However, the recurrence rate of cystic mesothelioma is high, so follow-up is very important to ensure that the disease does not recur in a malignant form.
Deciduoid Mesothelioma
This type of mesothelioma is very rare and unique, and only a limited number of cases have been reported. Many cases diagnosed in women do not have a history of asbestos exposure, with many suggesting that hormonal imbalances are a potential cause. Still, there are some cases of asbestos exposure. The prognosis of malignant mesothelioma is generally poor, and the median survival is one year. However, the deciduous is worse, and the average life is 5 or 6 months.
Features Of Deciduoid Mesothelioma
- Symptoms:Shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and bloating
- Location:abdomen and pleura
- Cell structure:large, polygonal, or elliptical cells form nodular white or gray tumors.
- Metastasis:Metastasis is common and unresponsive to treatment
Little is known about the best treatment regimen for aggressive metastases of deciduoid mesothelioma and the absence of cases. Usually, surgery is attempted to remove as much cancer as possible if this is a viable option for the patient. Otherwise, palliative care is the most common treatment plan to keep patients as comfortable and symptom-free as possible.
Papillary Mesothelioma
Papillary mesothelioma, commonly known as well-differentiated papillary (WDPM), is a common disease in women of reproductive age. But men are also diagnosed. The prognosis is usually favorable for patients with this type.
Characteristics Of Papillary Mesothelioma
- Symptoms:Abdominal pain, chronic pelvic pain, shortness of breath, and swelling
- Location:Peritoneum (lining of the abdomen), tunica vaginalis, pleura (lining of the lungs), and other areas of the male reproductive system
- Cell structure:Cells are difficult to identify because they look like normal, healthy cells
- Metastasis:very slow metastasis, microscopic, papillary growth patterns
Based on all reported cases of papillary mesothelioma, most are benign, making the prognosis favorable with surgical resection as a popular treatment option.
Small Cell Mesothelioma
Like many other subtypes, small cell mesothelioma is rarely misdiagnosed as cancers and diseases such as small cell carcinoma and small cell lung cancer. Some cases wereBiphasic, with tumors containing a mixture of epithelial, but most cases were classified as small cell mesothelioma.
Characteristics Of Small Cell Mesothelioma
- Symptoms:chest pain, weight loss, fatigue, cough, and shortness of breath
- Location:Most cases are based on the pleura
- Cell structure:small round cells with uniform growth patterns
- Metastasis:Metastasis is possible but variable
Based on its rarity, mesothelioma specialists have yet to determine an exact treatment plan for this type. Surgical resection included extrapleural pneumonectomy in some patients to remove as much cancer as possible. When diagnosed as epithelial, treatment may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but again, it will vary based on the individual patient’s condition.
Subtypes Of Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
Malignant is the rarest of the three primary cell types and is difficult to treat due to its aggressive nature. Treatment is very complex, and doctors usually recommend palliative care because conventional treatments may not suit patients.
Desmoplastic Mesothelioma
Desmoplastic mesothelioma is often classified as a sarcomatoid type, although there are rare cases of epithelial andBiphasicvariations. Survival rates are poor, with one study showing that patients lived about six months after symptoms began.
Characteristics Of Desmoplastic Mesothelioma
- Symptoms:chest pain, pleural orPericardialeffusion, weight loss, and nausea
- Location:Usually located in the peritoneum or pleura
- Cell structure:Atypical cell growth with tumors composed of at least 50% dense, fibrous tissue
- Metastasis:Metastasis has spread within the chest wall, lungs, and other distant organs
In the treatment of desmoplastic mesothelioma, Chemotherapy and radiation may use to shrink the tumor, and surgery is usually not an appropriate option: palliative procedures or surgical procedures such as pleurodesis or paracentesis. Pleurodesis or paracentesis may be performed to drain fluid accumulation and relieve symptoms such as pain and shortness of breath.
Heterologous Mesothelioma
Heterologous tumors are so rare that little is known about them, particularly regarding progression, prognosis, and best treatment regimens. Most heterologous tumors are of the sarcomatoid type, but biphasic cell types have been observed. The two most common types of heterologous mesothelioma Tumors that occur are tumors with osteosarcomatous elements and chondrosarcomatous elements, which differ in what cells are present in the tumor.
Heterologous tumors contain cells from other body tissues separated from the origin site. Osteosarcomatous tumors contain bone cells, and chondrosarcomatosis contain cartilage cells. The mixture of cell types makes diagnosingmesotheliomaeven more complicated and requires specialists to perform multiple biopsies to get an accurate picture of the cancerous mass.
Characteristics Of Heterologous Mesothelioma
- Symptoms:Shortness of breath, chest and back pain
- Location:Pleural,peritonealor pericardial cavities
- Cell structure:Various
- Metastasis:Various
Treatment may vary for heterologous mesothelioma. But may include multimodality treatment and palliative care for the range of symptoms that this type may present.
Lymphohistiocytoid Mesothelioma
Some biphasic cases of lymphohistiocytoid have been observed, but reported cases are predominantly of the cell type. Commonly diagnosed as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, carcinoma, and sarcomatoid carcinoma is one of the more difficult and rare subtypes to recognize.
Characteristics Of Lymphohistiocytoid Mesothelioma
- Symptoms:chest pain, weight loss, and fatigue
- Location:pleura and peritoneum
- Cell structure:Immune cells and inflammatory cells, usually large and spindle-shaped
- Metastasis:Metastasis is possible with visible spread to the lungs and abdomen.
There are a small number of clinical studies when considering treatment options for this type of mesothelioma since it accounts for only 1% of cases of this cancer. Surgical resection is performed to improve survival, and chemotherapy and radiation therapy are possible options.
Problems With Rare Mesothelioma Cell Types
Scientists and doctors often rely on past cases and clinical studies to understand the best way to treat a disease. For Rare Mesothelioma Cell Types, the number of cases is so small that there isn’t much history to refer to when looking for the most effective treatment. It is also difficult to give an accurate prognosis to the patient to reliably understand how the disease will develop.
Misdiagnosis is a concern for any disease or health condition. However, misdiagnosis becomes especially difficult with mesothelioma because this cancer can be very aggressive and must be caught early. Everyone should pay attention to health, and if suspect symptoms of mesothelioma, they should seek immediate medical attention. There are mesothelioma doctors who can help determine the presence and Rare Mesothelioma Cell Types and the most effective treatment plan.