Malignant biphasic mesothelioma is the second most common cell type of the disease. Patients with this form of cancer will have varying life expectancy rates because prognosis will depend on the ratio of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells. Learning about biphasic and understanding its characteristics, how it is diagnosed, and how this type affects treatment can help you make informed decisions with your doctor.
Approximately 20 to 35 percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases are classified as biphasic. This cell type is more common among pleural patients. It is important to determine which cells are present because this information may have an impact on your prognosis.
Characteristics
In biphasic cases, epithelioid cells and sarcomatoid cells can exist in close proximity or, more frequently, within distinctly separate areas of a tumor. These cell types are important to detect because some clinical trials and treatments can be targeted at specific cell types. The characteristics of your cell type do not affect your symptoms and they may only affect your prognosis by a few months.
Epithelioid
Epithelioid mesothelioma is comprised of round, cube-like cells that have long and slender microvilli, which are small hair-like protrusions in the cell membrane.
Biphasic
Biphasic mesothelioma is often called the "mixed" cell type because it is made up of cells from both of the other mesothelioma cell types.
Sarcomatoid
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is made up of spindle-shaped cells arranged in a disorganized fashion.
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