Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

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Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
TCG Law Group

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a type of histological classification for the cellular makeup of malignant mesothelioma cancer, a rare asbestos disease believed responsible for more than 200,000 deaths worldwide. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is one of three histological classifications associated with malignant mesothelioma, the other two of which are epithelioid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma.

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the least common type of mesothelioma cancer cell accounting for a mere 10 to 15% of all diagnosed cases. According to a study that was conducted on 167 mesothelioma patients, sarcomatoid mesothelioma sufferers have an average post-diagnostic survival time of seven months.

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cancer cells can develop in pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma sufferers alike. The only way to diagnose a case of sarcomatoid mesothelioma is through the histopathological examination of excised tumor tissue. A histopathologist is an expert in the study of diseased tissue. A histopathological examination indicates the type of malignant mesothelioma someone is suffering from, the cellular makeup of the malignancy, and the stage to which the asbestos disease has progressed. Based on this information, mesothelioma specialists can determine the best course of action through which to treat the virulent cancer.

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Cellular Appearance
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells have a nucleus that is not clearly defined when viewed under high magnification. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells are irregular oval in shape, a somewhat common feature in many cancer cells. As such, sarcomatoid mesothelioma can often be confused with a variety of other cancer types.

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma vs. Sarcomatoid Carcinoma
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is most often confused with cancers of the sarcomatoid variety, notably sarcomatoid carcinoma. While sarcomatoid mesothelioma affects the mesothelial cells of the body, sarcomatoid carcinoma affects the epithelial cells of the body.

Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma is the most common type of sarcomatoid carcinoma to be confused with sarcomatoid mesothelioma. The location of a pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma can produce symptoms that are similar to those associated with pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. These symptoms include chronic chest pain, pleural effusions and breathing irregularities. Similarly, pleural mesothelioma can often be confused with asbestosis or asbestos lung cancer because of the close proximity of the diseases and symptomatic similarities.

Areas of Legal Interest
Stevens Johnson Syndrome, Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, Zyprexa and Diabetes, Ortho Evra Blood Clots, Guidant Pacemaker Recall, Malignant Mesothelioma, Personal Injury, Benzene Exposure, Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, Other resource, Traumatic Brain Injury

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