Mesothelioma Treatment

For your convenience, we have consolidated mesothelioma treatment information for your review. This section is updated on a weekly basis. You should keep in mind that if you choose one course of action for mesothelioma treatment, you may preclude other courses. All of your options should be considered as soon as possible.
Typical treatment strategies are often developed based on the stage (using the Butchart staging system) of a pleural mesothelioma. Stage 1 mesothelioma can be treated with any number of different methods, depending on the patient's health, including surgical resection of the disease or more advanced procedures like extrapleural pnemonectomy and lung pneumonectomy. Patients diagnosed with advanced-stage disease will likely manage their disease and its symptoms through some combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and alternative therapies.
Chemotherapy options include the FDA-approved combination of Alimta® and Cisplatin, as well as other drugs which are currently in active clinical trials. Other drugs showing positive results in trial include Gemcitabine and Navelbine. Conjunctive treatments include the approach which combines one conventional therapy with another such as surgery in combination with chemotherapy. Multi-modal mesothelioma treatment includes heated intra-operative chemotherapy which applies a potent dose of chemotherapy to the surface of the actual affected area. For mesothelioma patients, radiation is sometimes used in conjunction with chemotherapy for optimal results.
Other experimental therapies for mesothelioma, although used much less frequently, include gene therapy, immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy. These therapies are still in their experimental stages.

More Mesothelioma Treatment Information

Some of the more notable mesothelioma doctors include Dr. David Sugarbaker of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Valerie Rusch of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Dr. Harvey Pass of the New York University Medical Center Division of Thoracic Surgery. Each of these oncologists have an acute knowledge of the behavior and pathology of malignant mesothelioma and its treatments. It is likely that if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you will be referred by your personal physician to a larger scale comprehensive cancer center like those discussed here.
Some of the most exciting and advanced mesothelioma treatment techniques are being researched and explored through the International Mesothelioma Program at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Harvard University Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston under the auspices of Dr. Sugarbaker. Multi-modal therapies, including combination therapies including advanced surgical procedures in conjunction with chemotherapy are some of the many exploratory therapies being researched at the IMP. Exciting studies are also arising out of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the University of California San Francisco under the auspices of Dr. David Jablons.
Information about current studies of promising new or experimental mesothelioma treatments. Several clinical trials are actively recruiting patients of malignant mesothelioma. Patients undergoing mesothelioma treatment should strongly consider participating in a clinical trial. Mesothelioma survival rate can be dramatically extended in those who are treated with as-yet unapproved/experimental therapies. Given the lack of a mesothelioma cure, participation in clinical trials among mesothelioma patients is common. A patient's ability to participate in a clinical trial will be dependent on a number of factors including age, general health, and stage of disease at diagnosis.
As you deal with your cancer and the process of treatment, you need to have honest, open discussions with your cancer care team. We have listed some questions that you might want to ask in this section. We urge not only patients undergoing mesothelioma treatment, but also family members and loved ones to read this section carefully, and pursue answers not only these questions but all mesothelioma treatment-related questions with your oncologist or mesothelioma specialist.
Many of those being treated for serious illness find comfort in different alternative therapies such as massage and acupuncture. These untraditional methods of disease management can complement conventional therapies and allow the patient to be more at peace and comfortable during this difficult time. Meditation and Yoga are common methods used by many to reach a state of relaxation, and release endorphins, our body's natural pain relievers The majority of these treatments are based upon patient preference but patients undergoing mesothelioma treatment are encouraged to utilize one or many of these options, which can dramatically improve patient stamina and strength while undergoing treatment for mesothelioma. Nutritional supplements and other health enhancers should also be considered by all patients undergoing mesothelioma treatment, as the disease can deplete strength and general immune health.
This section of our web site is updated frequently as we know how important it is for those diagnosed with mesothelioma to be kept informed about the latest mesothelioma research. We have also provided a wide range of information specifically designed for caregivers and loved ones. You can even find providers of cancer care related services in your geographic area.
National Cancer Institute - Treatment Options for Malignant Mesotheliomahttp://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malignantmesothelioma/Patient/page5

Mesothelioma Charities

There are a number of mesothelioma research initiatives underway that are funded not only by medical and educational institutions, but also by charities dedicated to the defeat of mesothelioma and cancer in general. Research in this area is still evolving but great advances are being made, in large part, due to the support of these organizations. Below are a few of the better-known mesothelioma research initiatives and charities.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, more commonly referred to as MARF, is a non-profit national organization dedicated to lobbying for and funding mesothelioma research initiatives. In addition to funding initiatives and research projects, MARF also seeks to connect patients with cancer specialists and mesothelioma programs at the nation’s leading cancer centers. Another tier of MARF’s mission is advocacy for mesothelioma patients in the form of federal and state-level lobbying efforts.

International Mesothelioma Program

The International Mesothelioma Program is a joint initiative of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University School of Medicine. Led by the esteemed Dr. David Sugarbaker, the IMP is at the forefront of all leading mesothelioma treatment research and practice. Combining a holistic treatment and support program, the IMP has made tremendous strides in surgical treatment for early-stage mesothelioma diagnosis as well as aggressive chemotherapy treatments for later-stage disease.

National Cancer Institute

The National Cancer Institute is part of the National Institute of Health, one of 11 agencies currently operating under the umbrella of the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to research conducted in its own clinics and laboratories, the NCI supports and coordinates research projects through cancer centers, hospitals, and universities, while also being the primary federal entity responsible for disseminating information about cancer. Mesothelioma research is among the many projects and initiatives being conducted by the institute.

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a nationwide network of community based, voluntary health organizations committed to the research and defeat of cancer. While the ACS is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and offers services through 9 regional chapters, the organization works in concert with international health organizations to carry out strategic initiatives across the globe. The ACS cooperates with and encourages coordination among cancer specialists and doctors throughout the country in the fight against malignant mesothelioma. They also support research to learn more about the causes of the disease.

LUNGevity Foundation

LUNGevity is primarily a lung cancer advocacy and awareness initiative with a singular stated goal to “Stop Lung Cancer Now.” LUNGevity understands that advancements in lung cancer research and investment into lung cancer initiatives is a national priority and may have ramifications for the advancement of similar mesothelioma projects. Many drugs researched for use among lung cancer patients have been successfully applied to the treatment of malignant mesothelioma and other carcinomas. LUNGevity also provides mesothelioma and non-squamous small cell lung cancer community support forums.

Cancer Hope Network

The Cancer Hope Network is a community of support resources for cancer patients and their families. Among the support resources offered are one-on-one interactions with former cancer patients who can empathize with patient struggles and answer difficult questions both for patients and their families. The Cancer Hope Network has flourished through Internet interaction and now features a full-scale social network, “HopeNet.”

Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)

ADAO (Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization) is an independent organization dedicated to raising awareness about the harmful effects of asbestos exposure. Their goal is to provide a voice for asbestos victims, to unite those who have been affected by an asbestos-related disease through community forums and to support research in the areas of asbestos disease prevention, early detection and improved treatment methods.

Miles for Meso

Miles for Meso supports mesothelioma awareness and research through 5K races and fun runs/walks . These events take place throughout the country and proceeds are donated to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. The generosity of both participants and sponsors has helped raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos and unite communities in the fight against mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundationhttp://www.curemeso.org
International Mesothelioma Programhttp://www.brighamandwomens.org/.../mesothelioma/default.aspx
National Cancer Instituehttp://www.cancer.gov
American Cancer Societyhttp://www.cancer.org
LUNGevityhttp://events.lungevity.org/site/PageServer?pagename=v2_AboutUs
Cancer Hope Networkhttp://www.cancerhopenetwork.org
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organizationhttp://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/
Miles for Mesohttp://www.milesformesothelioma.org/

Mesothelioma Information

As with any disease or health condition, mesothelioma researchers have, over time, collected statistical information about mesothelioma. These statistics can help us learn about the proclivities of the disease and its incidence and potentially help future patients as we learn more about mesothelioma.

How Common is Mesothelioma?

New cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in between 2,500 and 3,000 Americans each year. These numbers, while significant, would indicate that mesothelioma is still a relatively rare disease, though incidence is expected to rise in the next decade according to projections.

What is the Typical Age at Diagnosis?

The first diagnosis of mesothelioma typically occurs in men and women between the ages of 50 and 70 years. Mesothelioma patients, certainly, have been diagnosed at ages younger than 50 and older than 70, but diagnoses for those age groups are considered statistical anomalies.

Does Mesothelioma Occur in a Particular Sex or Racial Demographic More than Another?

Mesothelioma is much more common in men than women, due mostly to occupational asbestos exposure being more common among men of industrial labor sites. That is not to say, however, that women cannot be diagnosed with mesothelioma. In fact, recent evidence suggests that mesothelioma incidence in women may rise in the coming years as secondary exposures to asbestos can manifest in the form of a positive mesothelioma diagnosis. Also of note is that mesothelioma is much less common among African Americans than in Caucasians, the reasons for which researchers are still investigating.

What are Typical Patient Survival Rates Following a Mesothelioma Diagnosis?

As mesothelioma is often diagnosed in its advanced stages, the mesothelioma prognosis is sometimes poor with life expectancy being little more than a year following diagnosis. If diagnosed early enough however, patient prognoses increase dramatically. Patient survival rates are often contingent on the treatments available to the particular patient. In early mesothelioma stages, tumors eligible for mesothelioma surgery and will result in improved prognoses over those who are diagnosed with stage 3 mesothelioma or stage 4 mesothelioma. As new and alternative mesothelioma treatments are researched and employed in the future, it is realistic to anticipate an improvement in patient survival rates.

Other Mesothelioma Information

Mesothelioma Latency Period

Typically, there is a great deal of time between an individual's exposure to asbestos and the development of asbestos-related health complications. Mesothelioma is associated with a long-latency period (often 20-50 years) after exposure. Over a long period of time, lodged asbestos fibers slowly inflame the lung's external tissue, often serving as a pre-cursor to the development of malignant mesothelioma.

Adult Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is most common in adults. Adults who have asbestos exposure history are typically those most at risk for the development of malignant mesothelioma. It can take many years for those exposed to asbestos exposure to exhibit the effects of exposure and, as such, mesothelioma is most often diagnosed in older individuals, often up to 40 years following exposure.

Child Mesothelioma

Childhood diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is extremely rare, although it has been documented. Mesothelioma is known only to be caused by exposure to asbestos and takes many years following exposure to asbestos to manifest in adults. Generally speaking, childhood mesothelioma is considered to be unrelated to asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma and Women

Many women that have been diagnosed with mesothelioma had no direct exposure to asbestos from working in industrial job settings. Instead they discover that they are victims of second-hand asbestos exposure that occurred while washing their husband's clothes that came home from work with asbestos fibers on them.

Mesothelioma Prevention

Mesothelioma is known only to be caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was used for many years as an industrial insulation component. As such, the best mesothelioma prevention is the avoidance of exposure to asbestos. However, in recent years, physicians and cancer specialists have been developing a mesothelioma vaccine that will arm the body's immune system with cancer fighting anti-bodies and antigens in those who are at risk for the development of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Vaccine

Recent studies by researchers in the Netherlands have found promising results in preventative therapies for mesothelioma. Using cancer-fighting antigens within the body's immune system, mesothelioma patients have responded positively in most cases when treated with the mesothelioma vaccine. The hope is now that this therapy can be applied to those who may be at risk of developing mesothelioma in the future, particularly those who have been exposed to asbestos but have yet to develop asbestos disease.

Medical Timeline

Historical timeline containing important facts and developments related to the manufacture and use of asbestos and documented cases of mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos related diseases.

Mesothelioma Misspellings

The word “mesothelioma” is often misspelled by people searching on the internet for information about this asbestos cancer. In this section we list some of the most common misspellings that we have seen individuals use in their internet searches for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Misconceptions

There are several common myths and misconceptions about mesothelioma. Learn more about what the true facts are about this asbestos-related disease.

Mesothelioma Disease

Mesothelioma cancer is a rare disease that attacks the cells of the tissue that lines the body cavity called the mesothelium. It’s only known cause is exposure to asbestos fibers.

Where Can I Find More Information?

We urge those seeking more mesothelioma information to complete the brief form on this page. The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance will rush you a comprehensive mesothelioma and asbestos exposure information packet. In our packet you’ll find information about cutting-edge treatments, leading mesothelioma cancer center programs, and legal options you may have if you were exposed to asbestos. Act now and find out more today!
National Cancer Institute - Mesothelioma: Questions and Answershttp://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/mesothelioma

When an individual is diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other kind of cancer, one of the first questions they will have is “How long do I have to live?” This is a scary question - and a hard one to ask - but one for which most cancer patients will eventually seek an answer.
It is often very difficult for oncologists and members of a patient’s medical team to give a definitive answer to this query. Indeed, every case is different and cancer can be an unpredictable disease. Sometimes, cases that look hopeless turn out to be not so bleak. In other cases, cancers that don’t look so bad progress quickly and result in an untimely death.
Overall, the prognosis has been rather grim for mesothelioma patients during these past few decades. Malignant mesothelioma is extremely aggressive and has a long latency period. Hence, cases are usually not detected until the disease has reached the advanced stages of cancer. As a result the prognosis for such patients is often not favorable; the mesothelioma survival rate following diagnosis is usually just a year or two. That doesn’t mean, however, that there won’t be exceptions and that this dour outlook will not change in years to come, especially as more and better treatments are developed.

Determining Prognosis

Currently, a number of different issues determine the mesothelioma patient’s prognosis. These include:

Type - Mesothelioma is classified as one of three types, depending on the tissues involved. The epithelial type accounts for about 50 percent of all cases, sarcomatoid mesothelioma is seen in 15 percent of diagnosed patients, and 35% have the mixed type of the disease. Those with epithelial mesothelioma have a better survival rate than the other types.
Location - Mesothelioma is also classified on the basis of location. For example, pleural mesothelioma, which attacks the lining of the lung, is the most common, accounting for approximately 8o percent of all cases. Those with this type of cancer have the best rate of survival. Peritoneal mesothelioma, found in the lining of the abdomen, is the next most common and is diagnosed in about 10 -15 percent of mesothelioma victims. It is generally harder to treat. Less common types are very difficult to treat, including pericardial and testicular mesothelioma.
Stage of the disease - The prognosis for mesothelioma cancer depends on how early the disease is diagnosed and how soon treatment can begin. Because of the disease’s extended latency period, it is often not diagnosed until it has reached Stage 3 or 4, when mesothelioma symptoms finally appear. Sadly, many of these symptoms are common to a wide range of respiratory diseases including many that are less serious, like the flu or pneumonia. This often results in misdiagnosis.
Metastasis - When a mesothelioma diagnosis is finally made, oncologists will often find that the cancer has spread - or “metastasized” - from the location of the primary tumor - usually the pleura - to other parts of the body, often to the nearby organs as well as the lymph nodes. The extent of the metastases will determine what type of treatment is recommended as well as the prognosis.
General health of the patient - Simply put, younger and stronger patients with mesothelioma live longer than those of advanced age who have extant health problems. Seniors are often dealing with issues like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, making mesothelioma surgery as well as traditional cancer treatments much more risky and severely limiting treatment options.

Additional Mesothelioma Prognosis Factors

Mesothelioma Life Exptectancy

Life expectancy for those diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma depends on a number of factors including, general patient health, cancer stage at diagnosis, and the eligibility of the patient for certain treatment options. Those diagnosed with early stage cancer and in generally good health will have a more favorable prognosis than those diagnosed with later-stage disease.

Mesothelioma Survival Rate

Most survival rates for cancer are quoted in regards to what is commonly known as the relative five-year survival rate. This indicates the number of patients who are still alive five years after they are diagnosed with the disease. Currently, the five-year survival rate for mesothelioma victims is just 10 percent. Though this seems like a grim number, it is indeed higher than it was about 10 years ago and much higher than it was 20-30 years ago.
The current one-year survival rate for mesothelioma patients is about 40 percent. This has also increased significantly in the last 10 years. Unfortunately, however, the prognosis for most mesothelioma patients remains poor overall. Many still die less than a year after diagnosis, with the average survival rate being 10-11 months, according to the American Cancer Association.

Mesothelioma Remission

Mesothelioma is one of the most aggressive types of cancer and can quickly metastasize from its origin into the lungs, abdominal cavity, and lymph nodes. As a result, very few mesothelioma patients go into remission. However, if treated properly and early enough, many patients have been able to extend survival rates long beyond previous expectations. Treatment options include surgical resection, chemotherapy, and mesothelioma radiation.

Mesothelioma Survivors

While there is currently no cure for mesothelioma, many patients have had success in managing their cancer with not only traditional treatments like chemotherapy and surgical methods, but also through the use of nutritional supplements, palliative therapies, and body-stress reduction techniques. Some patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have survived many years after what was an initially unfavorable prognosis.

Improving the Mesothelioma Prognosis

During the last decade, the plight of mesothelioma sufferers has gained more attention and more research dollars have been funneled towards the study of this disease and the discovery of new and novel drugs and treatments to provide more hope of a better prognosis for the mesothelioma sufferer.
Scientists have been working on new tests that strive to diagnose the disease at an earlier stage. For example, the Mesomark® assay is a simple blood test that measures the rate of Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides (SMRP) in the blood. This biomarker is released by mesothelioma cells into the bloodstream and SMRP can be elevated for many years before symptoms appear and an actual diagnosis of the disease is made. This tool for early diagnosis could potentially save hundreds of lives.
Treatments with new chemotherapy drugs like Alimta® and procedures that deliver more targeted radiation to the tumor have also helped to add to a mesothelioma patient’s life expectancy. In addition, experimental treatments such as immunotherapy, gene therapy, and photodynamic therapy have shown some success in treating this difficult disease.
Each new step in the field of mesothelioma research improves the mesothelioma prognosis little by little and provides additional hope for mesothelioma-affected individuals and their loved ones.
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/MalignantMesothelioma/OverviewGuide/malignant-mesothelioma-overview-survival-rates

Mesothelioma Stages

Staging is the process of finding out how far the cancer has spread. Staging of mesothelioma is based on imaging studies such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. The mesothelioma treatment and life expectancy for patients with the disease largely depends on the stage (extent of spread) of their cancer. Since pleural mesothelioma occurs most frequently and has been studied the most, it is the only mesothelioma for which a staging classification exists.

Mesothelioma Staging Systems

Today, there are three primary staging systems used to assess how far mesothelioma cancer has spread and each system uses four stages to describe the progression of the disease. It is the definition of each stage within the various systems that can vary slightly.

Butchart Staging System

The staging system most often used for mesothelioma cancer is the Butchart system and is focused on defining the location of the primary tumor mass in body for each stage. The system doesn’t address how many cancer cells are present, how big the tumor is or the level of cancer present in the body overall.

TNM Staging System

The TNM Staging System, developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), is similar to staging systems used for other types of cancer. It considers the characteristics of the tumor (T), whether or not lymph nodes are involved (N) and if the cancer has metastasized to other locations in the body (M).

Brigham Staging System

The Brigham Staging System also has four stages of progression and is very similar to the TNM Staging System. The primary difference between the two is that in addition to defining the location of the tumor, and assessing lymph node involvement and the presence of metastatic disease, the Brigham System also helps assess the possibility for and effectiveness of surgical intervention at each stage.

The Stages of Mesothelioma

The four stages of mesothelioma, as noted above, vary slightly within each system but can be generally characterized as indicated below. Please click into the individual pages to get more information about each stage in general and as is it defined within each staging system:

Stage 1 Mesothelioma

In Stage 1 the tumor is localized, there is no lymph node involvement and the cancer has not spread to other organs or tissues.

Stage 2 Mesothelioma

In Stage 2, the tumor is larger and has invaded the lung or diaphragm. Lymph nodes may also be involved.

Stage 3 Mesothelioma

In Stage 3, mesothelioma has invaded a single region or area such as the chest wall.

Stage 4 Mesothelioma

In Stage 4, mesothelioma has invaded multiple regions such as different areas of the chest wall, the diaphragm and/or the pericaridium. Lymph glands are also involved and the cancer has spread to other organs.
National Cancer Institute - Stages of Malignant Mesotheliomahttp://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malignantmesothelioma/Patient/page2
David C. Rice. “Staging of Malignant Pleura Mesothelioma: A Guideline for Patients.” www.mdanderson.org

Types of Mesothelioma by Site

Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma often originates within the chest cavity and can, at times, involve the lung. This particular form of mesothelioma can metastasize to numerous organs in the body - even the brain - and tends to do so more frequently than not.
Pleural mesothelioma is not always easily detectable. Frequently, in the early stages of the disease, such as stage 1 mesothelioma, symptoms may be mild. Patients usually report pain in one area of the chest that never seems to go away, weight loss and fever. Occasionally, other symptoms are more severe and include problems with breathing due to fluid build up in the chest. A CT Scan of the chest area has proven to be the best test for identifying how far along the disease has progressed.
Frequently serum markers are used to diagnose of various forms of cancer. Mesothelioma cannot be diagnosed using this method as no serum markers currently exist. If high levels of hyaluronic acid are present it may be possible to distinguish mesothelioma types from other types of cancer or to determine the effectiveness of a treatment protocol.
The mesothelioma survival rate for patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma typically is not high as patients often do not live beyond seventeen months from the onset of symptoms. Only 8% of those with a mesothelioma diagnosis will live three to five years from the onset of mesothelioma symptoms.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the abdomen and will frequently spread to other organs in area including the liver, spleen or bowel. Severe abdominal pain is the most common complaint that patients present to mesothelioma doctors. There may also be a discomfort level with fluid buildup in the abdomen as well. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include difficult bowel movements, nausea and vomiting, fever and swollen feet.
The survival rate is even worse for those diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma with patients typically surviving only ten months from the time that they first started experiencing the symptoms noted above.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is the least common form of mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma, as the name suggests, involves the heart. This rare type of mesothelioma cancer invades the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart. As the cancer progresses, the heart is not able to deliver oxygen as efficiently to the body causing further decline in health at an increasingly rapid rate. The symptoms most commonly associated with pericardial mesothelioma mimic those of a heart attack: nausea, pain in the chest and shortness of breath.

Types of Mesothelioma Tumors

Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer and of all asbestos related diseases, the most serious. The symptoms associated with the disease make it difficult for doctors to diagnose. Often, by the time that a proper diagnosis is made, the disease has progressed to a point where patients do not respond well to treatment therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by the inhalation of airborne asbestos particles. Another unique factor associated with the disease is that there can be a long latency period between the time of asbestos exposure and the actual manifestation of the disease in the form of malignant mesothelioma.

Benign Mesothelioma

Benign mesothelioma, or non-malignant mesothelioma, is much easier to treat than the malignant form of the cancer and can be treated successfully in many cases.

Mesothelioma Cell Types

Epithelial Mesothelioma

Epithelial Mesothelioma is the most common cell type and accounts for approximately 50-75% percent of all diagnosed cases each year. These cells are uniform in shape, with an elongated pattern that makes them easily distinguishable when viewed under high magnification. These types ofcancercells are adenocarcinomas, malignancies which are more commonly associated with pure lung cancers as opposed to cancers of the mesothelium.

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less common cell type, accounting for between 7 and 20% of mesothelioma cases each year. These cells grow forth out of supportive structures, such as muscles and bones.

Biphasic Mesothelioma

Biphasic mesotheliomas are those with a mix of epithelial and sarcomatoid cell types. Mesothelioma treatment options do not vary greatly for different cell types, but often sarcomatoid mesotheliomas are more difficult to treat as a result of the surrounding affected tissues that they spread from.

Papillary Mesothelioma

Papillary mesothelioma, also known as well-differentiated mesothelioma, is a form of the asbestos cancer that typically affects women. In many cases this cell type is benign and not likely to spread to other organs in the body.
Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America - Types of Mesotheliomahttp://www.mesorfa.org/about-meso/types.php
Cancer Research UK - Types of Mesotheliomahttp://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=4398