Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Stage 4
Stage 4 cancer cells have metastasized spreading to distant areas in the body.
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma stage 4. There are several defining characteristics that can help identify sarcomatoid cells. Because malignant mesothelioma is so difficult to detect early many patients are not properly diagnosed until it has progressed to a later stage. Mesothelioma stages by type pleural mesothelioma is currently the only mesothelioma type with standardized stages because its prevalence has allowed doctors to find out exactly how the disease progresses and place this progression. Treatments aim to improve survival and quality of life.
Stage 4 mesothelioma is the most advanced form of the disease and indicates the cancer has spread beyond its initial location. The average life expectancy for stage 4 mesothelioma is less than 12 months. Stage 4 is the final mesothelioma stage and considered terminal. If the amount is 10 or higher then the cancer is considered biphasic.
Epithelioid cells can be present in sarcomatoid mesothelioma but must comprise less than 10 of the tumors cells. It is the least common mesothelioma cell type and the most aggressive form of the disease. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less common cell type. Sarcomatoid cells are also more resistant to treatment compared to other mesothelioma cell types.
Connective tissue cells that become cancerous are called sarcomas which is the origin of the name sarcomatoid mesothelioma. What is sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult to treat once it has reached this stage. It accounts for about 10 15 of all pleural mesothelioma diagnoses and 4 of peritoneal mesothelioma diagnoses.
Stage 4 mesothelioma is a rare malignant cancer in an advanced stage. Tumors made up of sarcomatoid cells most often grow in the pleura the lining of the lung and are less common in the peritoneum the lining of the abdomen. Stage 4 mesothelioma is characterized by distant metastasis which means the cancer has spread to different areas of the body. Stage 4 mesothelioma has the worst prognosis on average about 12 months.
Because the cells form in separate nodules sarcomatoid mesothelioma metastasizes or spreads faster than other cell types. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma accounts for approximately 15 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses. Mesothelioma can be classified in four stages with stage 1 being the least advanced and stage 4 being the most. Stage 4 mesothelioma involves cancer spreading metastasizing to distant tissues organs and lymph nodes.
Some chemotherapy regimens combine different chemotherapy drugs. This is the most advanced stage. The most common combination is alimta and cisplatin. An oval elongated shape with a large nucleus.
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less common cell type. Stage 4 pleural mesothelioma patients typically have a life expectancy of about one year. Because surgery is often unhelpful in sarcomatoid mesothelioma chemotherapy is the next best option.