Malignant Epithelial Mesothelioma

Based on cell histology, mesothelioma cells can be divided into four types:
a-Epitheliod
b-Biphasic
c-Desmoplastic {this is thought to be a variant of sarcomatoid}
d-Sarcomatoid
Out of these four, the commonest is the epithelial mesothelioma. It occurs in 50-70% of all cases.
There are numerous subtypes of epithelial mesothelioma, including:
• Tubulopapillary
• Glandular
• Histiocytoid
• Adenoid cystic
• Microcystic
• Macrocystic
• Signet Ring
• Single File
• Diffuse - NOS
• Glomeruloid
• Small Cell
• Poorly Differentiated (large cell) or Pleomorphic
• Deciduoid
• Mucin Positive
• Gaucher Cell-Like
• In Situ
• Well-Differentiated Papillary
Epithelial mesotheliomas are known as epithelioid mesothelioma. An epithelioid cell is a mesenchymal cell whose morphology resembles that of epithelial cells. Epithelioid mesothelioma cells are so named because they look like epithelial cells when viewed under a microscope (the suffix "-oid" indicates similarity or similarity). These are the cells that line structures and cavities located throughout the body.
Mesothelial cells themselves are a type of epithelial cells and that these cells become cancerous in malignant mesothelioma develops in the pleura, peritoneum or pericardium. Mesothelioma Epithelial cells tend to have a well-defined, smooth when viewed under a microscope.
An important point to note is that the epithelioid malignant mesothelioma cells closely resemble cells of another type of cancer known as adenocarcinoma, which can develop in the lungs or other vital organs. This type of cancer originates in epithelial tissue. When adenocarcinoma develops in the lungs, it can often extend to the mesothelial lining of the lungs (the pleura).
For these reasons, patients with adenocarcinoma who have been exposed to asbestos in the past should seek a second expert opinion to determine the exact diagnosis.
Prognosis and Treatment
In general, different types of mesothelioma are treated the same way, the type of treatment is based on the location and stage of cancer instead of cell types involved.
However, the different types of cancer cells respond to treatment differently. In general, patients with epithelioid malignant mesothelioma have a better prognosis than patients with either type sarcomatoid or biphasic, so that treatment can not be as aggressive as others.

For more information: http://mesoblog.org/blog/