Malignant biphasic mesothelioma is the second most common cell type
of the disease. Patients with this form of cancer will have varying life expectancy rates
because prognosis will depend on the ratio of epithelial and
sarcomatoid cells. Learning about biphasic and understanding its
characteristics, how it is diagnosed, and how this type affects
treatment can help you make informed decisions with your doctor.
Approximately 20 to 35 percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases
are classified as biphasic. This cell type is more common among pleural
patients. It is important to determine which cells are present because
this information may have an impact on your prognosis.
Characteristics
In biphasic cases, epithelioid cells and sarcomatoid cells can exist
in close proximity or, more frequently, within distinctly separate areas
of a tumor. These cell types are important to detect because some
clinical trials and treatments can be targeted at specific cell types.
The characteristics of your cell type do not affect your symptoms and
they may only affect your prognosis by a few months.
Epithelioid
Epithelioid mesothelioma is comprised of round, cube-like cells
that have long and slender microvilli, which are small hair-like
protrusions in the cell membrane.
Biphasic
Biphasic mesothelioma is often called the "mixed" cell type
because it is made up of cells from both of the other mesothelioma cell
types.
Sarcomatoid
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is made up of spindle-shaped cells arranged in a disorganized fashion.
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