You know mesothelioma is a rare (but aggressive) cancer that develops in the mesothelium, which is an internal tissue lining the chest cavity, abdomen and heart. You probably also know that scientists and medical researchers continue searching for a way to cure pleural mesothelioma.
You may not know this, but pleural mesothelioma is classified by the region of cells in which it develops. Knowing more about your condition may improve your prognosis by preparing you to talk more in-depth about treatments with your medical team.
Epithelioid mesothelioma
As the most common form, epithelioid pleural mesothelioma accounts for 60 to 80% of cases. Doctors find that it the easiest type of mesothelioma to treat because it grows more slowly than other forms and generally responds better to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is believed to be the rarest, as it only accounts for about 10% of new cases. Unfortunately, it’s also the hardest to treat due to its rapid growth rate and because it does not typically respond well to standard therapies.
Biphasic mesothelioma
Although not quite as rare as sarcomatoid mesothelioma, the biphasic variety is still uncommon, accounting for 10 to 15% of cases. What separates this pleural mesothelioma from others is that it impacts both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cell types. Its treatment and prognosis resemble that of epithelioid mesothelioma.
Let this blog post be just the start of your journey toward learning about pleural mesothelioma. The more you learn, the better you can discuss all your treatment options with medical providers and perhaps improve your life. When delving deeper into your diagnosis, remember to explore the compensation options available to mesothelioma patients in Washington.