Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. People who are exposed to asbestos can inhale the tiny fibers that float in the atmosphere where asbestos is found. The Mesothelium is a protective lining on internal organs of the body. This lining on the lungs is called “pleura”, the lining on the heart it is called “pericardium”, and on the abdominal cavity it is called “peritoneum.”
When Mesothelium is exposed and infected with asbestos particles, the cells start dividing uncontrollably as a condition called Cancer. So, this cancer condition caused on Mesothelium tissue is called “Mesothelioma”. Mesothelioma is also categorized into three types: Epithelial, which is the most common type; Sarcomatoid, which is the rarest type; and finally Biphasic, which is the combination of both Epithelial and Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma.
Introduction to Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
This type of cancer is most rare as well as the most serious form of cancer because it responds very slowly to treatment.
Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma cancer is found only in 10% to 20% of the patients. With this cancer, the cells transform as spindle-shaped pattern that overlap each other and occurs from support tissues of the body such as cartilage, bone, fat and muscle. In advanced stages, it spreads to other parts of the body such as abdominal organs, lymph nodes, lungs, or chest wall. Cancer in these areas is very painful and difficult to treat and therefore patients suffering with this disease hardly live as long as six months after diagnosis.
Diagnosis and Symptoms of Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
Diagnosis of this disease is very difficult because its symptoms are similar to those of other respiratory diseases. It is usually diagnosed during biopsy by the extraction of affected tissue. Symptoms of this disease appear 30 to 40 years after being exposed to asbestos. Therefore, people usually come to know about their disease during advanced stages because it responds so poorly to early treatment. The common symptoms of Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma are pain because of fluid retention in the pleural area, spinal swelling and cough, accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity and weight loss. Fever, anemia, and blood clotting abnormality are also common symptoms.