Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is one of three histological classifications that are associated with a given case of malignant mesothelioma, the rare asbestos disease responsible for more than 200,000 deaths worldwide.
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells can develop in pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma sufferers alike. In order to definitively diagnose a case of sarcomatoid mesothelioma, a biopsy is required. A small section of suspect tissue is removed and examined by a histopathologist, a specialist in the study of diseased tissue.
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells have an irregular oval shape and a nucleus that is not as clearly defined as that of epithelioid mesothelioma cells when viewed under high magnification by a histopathologist. Many cancer cell types have an irregular oval shape, making it possible for a case of sarcomatoid mesothelioma to be misdiagnosed as another type of cancer.
Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma vs. Sarcomatoid Carcinoma
A case of sarcomatoid mesothelioma can often be confused with other types of cancer of the sarcomatoid variety, notably sarcomatoid carcinoma. Carcinomas are cancer cells that affect the epithelial cells of the body. Sarcomatoid cancer is often found throughout the body; however, it rarely affects the epithelial tissue of the lungs (less than 1.3% of lung carcinomas are of the sarcomatoid variety).
The most common type of sarcomatoid carcinoma to be confused with sarcomatoid mesothelioma is pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. In addition to having a similar cellular structure, sarcomatoid carcinoma sufferers may also present with similar symptoms as sarcomatoid mesothelioma sufferers, some of which can include chronic chest pain, pleural effusions and breathing difficulties.
Mesothelioma Cell Types
A case of malignant mesothelioma is given one of three histological classifications: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma or biphasic mesothelioma. While epithelioid and sarcomatoid mesothelioma present a unique cellular structure, biphasic, or mixed mesothelioma, is simply a combination of the two.
Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most commonly diagnosed cellular type while sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the least common. The differing mesothelioma cellular types have proven capable of impacting patients' average post-diagnostic survival time:
- Epithelioid mesothelioma sufferers tend to live the longest; eight and a half months.
- Sarcomatoid mesothelioma sufferers tend to live for seven months.
- Biphasic mesothelioma sufferers have the bleakest outlook; six months.
Knowing the histological classification of a case of malignant mesothelioma can help doctors determine the best course of treatment. For example, biphasic mesothelioma sufferers may be more willing to explore certain experimental treatment methods in effort to combat the aggressively fatal asbestos disease.
Asbestos Disease
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is exclusively linked with exposure to asbestos, a metamorphic mineral group that was commonly used throughout a variety of industries for its insulating and fire resistant capabilities. The use of asbestos was regulated in the early 1970s following widespread concern regarding the health effects of asbestos exposure. Those exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing a number of diseases in addition to malignant mesothelioma, notably asbestos lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques or diffuse pleural thickening.