Mesothelioma Cell Types
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which occurs on the outer surface of the lungs, and is most common in those who have been exposed to asbestos, although does occur in those who have never been exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma occurs in the mesothelial cells, the cells surrounding our organs, and there are 3 types of cancerous mesothelial cells, Epitheliod, Biphasic and Sacromatoid, and any one or more can be present in Mesothelioma patients.
The most common of the three types are Epitheliod, and they make up around 50-70% of malignant mesothelioma cells. They are usually formed in a uniform tubular patterm, with the actually cells adopting a box or cube like shape.
This type of cell is often misdiagnosed as they have a similar appearance to adenocarinoma cells, although if the cells are inspected under a high power microscope then a proper diagnosis can be made.
Biphasic Mesothelioma cells are less common than epitheliod, but are not the least common type. They make up twenty to forty percent of mesothelioma cancer cells and are created as a combination between the other types of cell. The biphasic cells usually occur when the epitheliod and sacromatoid cells combine continuously through a tumour.
The final type of cell, sacromatoid mesothelioma cells, are the least common of the three types and they account for between ten and fifteen percent of mesothelioma cells. Most frequently these cells have an irregular oval shape with a hidden nucleus, which makes them difficult to distinguish from the more common sarcoma cells.
Whether sacromatoid, epitheliod or biphasic cells are present the options for treatment are the same and include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, as more traditional treatment methods. However recent research has shown more and more untraditional methods are becoming more successful.
Oliver & Co are a Chester solicitor who specialise in claims relating to asbestos. So their site can help if you want to know more about making a mesothelioma claim.
