Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is not very common. It only accounts for about 6 to 19 percent of mesothelioma cases and cancer cells. There are three cellular mesothelioma types; biphasic, epithelial and sarcomatoid. Malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma is not as common as biphasic and epithelial. Scarcomatoid cells are detected by its shape which is oval shaped with a little irregularity. However, the irregular oval shape is also common among other cancer cells like sarcomatoid carcinoma and sarcoma and can create confusion if not diagnosed correctly.
Malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma is often times very difficult to diagnose because the cells look almost alike to another type of cancer called pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. So if you have been diagnosed with cancer due to asbestos exposure on the job or elsewhere, make sure you get the proper diagnosis and treatment. It is recommended to get a second opinion by a different doctor.
The type of mesothelioma a patient is diagnosed with and the stage of the cancer can sometimes affect a patient’s treatment options. If a patient is misdiagnosed they will not receive the correct treatment for their illness. Treatment for sarcomatoid mesothelioma is often based on where the tumor is located and the stage of the cancer. Patients are given the option to take aggressive treatment if other treatments are not effective. Unfortunately, the prognosis for sarcomatoid mesothelioma is poor and death usually occurs within six months of diagnosis.
Patients suffering from malignant mesothelioma will undergo many procedures which will determine the location and nature of the cancer. For example, a patient will undergo a biopsy of cells if the cells are suspected to be cancer cells. Immunohistochemistry can be used to detect sarcomatoid mesothelioma and is often used to distinguish epithelial mesothelioma from other types.
Although sarcomatoid mesothelioma is not as common as other types, it is the most serious form of mesothelioma. It is aggressive and rarely responds to treatment. But, fortunately, it is one of the least common forms of mesothelioma and only strikes approximately 6 to 19 percent of patients.
No comments:
Post a Comment