Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma refers to a specific type of mesothelioma that is classified by the shape and appearance of the cancer cells, which typically appear to be somewhat oval and irregular; the nucleus usually isn’t as visible as other types of mesothelioma, such as epithelial mesothelioma.

How does Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Form?

Almost all cases of mesothelioma begin with asbestos exposure and inhalation of asbestos fibers. Once these fibers enter the body, they migrate to areas such as the mesothelioid and become lodged there, where, over a period of time, they cause changes to cells that begin the process of developing into cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The process for diagnosing sarcomatoid mesothelioma begins much the same as that for diagnosing other types of cancers. However, final diagnosis depends on very complex diagnostic procedures.

Symptoms

The symptoms of sarcomatoid mesothelioma depend on two main factors: where in the mesothelioid the sarcomatoid cells are located, and how advanced the disease’s progression is.
If the disease begins in the pleura (lungs), the patient typically experiences some or all of these symptoms: shortness of breath, a persistent cough, chest or back pressure or pain, wheezing or difficulty breathing, fever or night sweats, fatigue, weight loss.
If the disease beings in the peritoneum (stomach or abdomen), the victim may experience some or all of these symptoms: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, pressure or pain in the area, intestinal blockage, fever or night sweats, or fatigue.
Rarely, sarcomatoid mesothelioma can attack the mesothelioid of the heart. If this happens, some of the symptoms may include pressure or pain the chest, persistent and dry cough, fever or night sweats, weight loss, or fatigue.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing mesothelioma can be difficult, and even more so for sarcomatoid mesothelioma. There are a number of factors that may contribute to delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis:

• Mesothelioma can have a long latency period. It can take years or decades between asbestos exposure and the development of symptoms.
• A patient may be unaware that they were exposed to asbestos, and this knowledge can speed an accurate diagnosis.
• Early mesothelioma symptoms are similar to numerous other, less serious conditions and can be easily attributed to something else.
• Sarcomatoid mesothelioma can be confused with other types of cancer such as sarcomatoid carcinoma or sarcoma because the cells can appear similar.

To achieve an accurate diagnosis, sophisticated diagnostic procedures are usually needed. The pathologist and/or physician must be familiar with the appearance of sarcomatoid mesothelioid cells and be able to differentiate them from other types of cancer.
Sometimes, analysis using immunohistochemistry is required. Immunohistochemistry uses enzymes, dyes or colloidal gold to mark substances produced by sarcomatoid mesothelioid cells, such as proteins or antigens, for proper identification.
Because sarcomatoid mesothelioma can be confused with other types of cancer, if you’ve been exposed to asbestos and are diagnosed with sarcomatoid carcinoma or sarcoma rather than sarcomatoid mesothelioma, it is highly recommended you seek a second opinion for confirmation.
Receiving a correct diagnosis is important for several reasons. Since sarcomatoid mesothelioma is considered incurable and other types of cancer may be treated more easily, you’ll want to know your actual prognosis when considering treatment options. Also, if you are considering seeking legal help because you suspect your condition may be the result of asbestos exposure, receiving a correct diagnosis is essential to the outcome of your case.

Treatment

Treatment for sarcomatoid mesothelioma usually doesn’t differ from treatment for other types of malignant mesothelioma and is prescribed based on several factors:

• The stage of mesothelioma
• The overall condition of the patient
• The wishes of the patient and their family
• Other miscellaneous considerations

There is no cure for mesothelioma. Treatments either attempt to reduce the amount of cancer in the body and slow the disease These are often referred to as curative treatments even though they haven’t been shown to cure the disease, or to make the patient as comfortable as possible (palliative treatments).
Curative treatments can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of any of those. New, experimental treatments are being researched and some are being tested in clinical trials. A person must meet certain criteria to be considered for a clinical trial. You may wish to discuss this option with your physician.
Palliative treatments include a broad variety of measures to ease a patient’s emotional and/or physical suffering.

Survival

The prognosis for sarcomatoid mesothelioma is grim, and may be even worse than other types of mesothelioma. All malignant mesothelioma is incurable and the average survival rate is one year after diagnosis.
There is some evidence to show that sarcomatoid mesothelioma may be more aggressive and even less responsive to treatment than other forms. Your survival rate will depend on many factors and it is important to note that while the average is one year, some people much less and some have lived five years or even longer.