- Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma Facts
- Mesothelioma Symptoms
- Mesothelioma Awareness
- Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma Causes
- Mesothelioma Risk Factors
- Mesothelioma Incidence
- Mesothelioma Diagnosis
- Mesothelioma Tests
- Mesothelioma Biopsy
- Mesothelioma Blood Test
- Mesothelioma Pathology
- Mesothelioma Prognosis
- Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
- Mesothelioma Life Span
- Mesothelioma Survival Rate
- Mesothelioma Survivors
- Mesothelioma Death Rate
- Mesothelioma Types
- Pleural Mesothelioma
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- Pericardial Mesothelioma
- Well-Differentiated Papillary Mesothelioma
- Malignant Mesothelioma
- Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
- Biphasic Mesothelioma
- Epithelial Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma Staging
- Mesothelioma Metastasis
Epithelial Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma tumors may be comprised of one of three different types of cells: epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. The most common cells, present in approximately 50 to 70 percent of cases, are epithelial. All forms of mesothelioma – pleural, peritoneal and pericardial – may be formed from epithelial cells.
Epithelial Cell Subtypes
Epithelial mesothelioma has many subtypes, including tubulopapillary, glandular, signet ring, small cell and deciduoid. Other subtypes include:
- Adenoid Cystic
- Diffused –NOS
- Gaucher Cell-Like
- Glomeruloid
- Histocytoid
- In Situ
- Microcystic
- Macrocystic
- Mucin Positive
- Poorly Differentiated/Large Cell/Pleomorphic
- Single File
- Well-Differentiated Papillary
Epithelial Cell Characteristics
Epithelial cells have a well-defined and uniform shape that is evident when viewed under a microscope. Special care must be taken in the diagnosis of malignant epithelial mesothelioma because these cells resemble those of another form of cancer called adenocarcinoma.
Epithelial Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma treatment generally is not influenced by the types of cells involved with the cancer. Instead, treatment plans are based on the location and stage of the cancer as well as other general health factors. Since epithelioid mesothelioma tends to be more responsive to treatment than other forms, patient prognosis is usually better and less aggressive treatments may be recommended.