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Biphasic Mesothelioma
Malignant forms of mesothelioma are categorized into three types: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic. While epithelioid and sarcomatoid mesothelioma each exhibit only one type of cancer cell, biphasic mesothelioma is distinguished by exhibiting both epithelioid and sarcomatoid mesothelioma cancer cells (1).
Biphasic mesothelioma was once thought to be the least common of the three types, but in recent years it has been increasingly diagnosed, and is now said to comprise 20 to 35% of all malignant mesothelioma cases. This increase may be due to more advanced and thorough diagnosis techniques (1).
Biphasic mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed as either epithelioid or sarcomatoid mesothelioma if only one type of cancer cell is found, and for this reason it is common to biopsy multiple areas of a cancerous region (2). It has been said that failing to identify mesothelioma as biphasic is not problematic, as treatment of the three types of malignant mesothelioma cancer is the same. However, biphasic mesothelioma cancer patients have the lowest mean survival time (six months), so an accurate diagnosis may help patients determine if they prefer to pursue more aggressive or experimental treatment options (1, 3).
Methods of treatment for all forms of mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. In addition, biologic therapy-which attempts to utilize the body's immune system to fight the cancer-and gene therapy are increasingly being added to treatment regimens (1, 3).
- Chahinian, A. P., M.D., et al. (1997) "Malignant Mesothelioma." Cancer Medicine, Volume 2, 4th ed., 1805-1826.
- Bueno, R. M.D., et al. (November 2004) "Pleural Biopsy: A Reliable Method for Determining the Diagnosis But Not Subtype in Mesothelioma." The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Volume 78, Issue 5, 1774-1776.
- Evans, D. Ph.D., M.B.A., et al. "Mesothelioma Cancer." All About Malignant Mesothelioma: Your Mesothelioma Information Source. Available: http://www.allaboutmalignantmesothelioma.com/mesothelioma-biphasic.htm (Accessed July 10, 2007).