Three Cell Types of Mesothelioma, Epithelioid mesothelioma, Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, and Biphasic mesothelioma

While there are three main types of Mesothelioma categorized by the location of where the cancer resides in the body; Pleural Mesothelioma, Pericardial Mesothelioma, and Peritoneal Mesothelioma.  Mesothelioma is also classified by the actual types of cancer cells that are present.  Malignant mesothelioma is divided into three cell types:  epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma, and biphasic mesothelioma. 

This is the most common cancer cell type in about 50% to 70% of all mesothelioma cases.  The cells are uniform in shape with a tubular pattern.  The individual cells resemble cubes.  Because epithelioid mesothelioma cells look very similar to glandular cancer cells, the cancer can often be misdiagnosed without proper testing. 

The least common form of mesothelioma, Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Cancer occurs in about 10% - 15% of patients.  Unlike Epithelioid Mesothelioma cells, Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells have more of an oval shape to them.  This type of cell is also often mistaken with other more common cancer types. 

More common than sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells but less common than epithelioid mesothelioma cancer cells, biphasic mesothelioma cancer cells occur in about 20% to 40% of patients.  This is a combination of sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells and epithelioid mesothelioma cells in the same tumor. 

While the mesothelioma cells may differ in each prognosis, the treatment and life expectancy of the patient are basically the same for each cell type.