Mesothelioma Diagnosis Types of Mesothelioma 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is characterized by which of the following?
- Spindle-shaped cells and poor prognosis (Correct answer)
- Round epithelial cells and good prognosis
- Mixed cell types and moderate prognosis
- Glandular structures and variable prognosis
Correct answer: Spindle-shaped cells and poor prognosis
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma consists of spindle-shaped cells and is the most aggressive cell type with the worst prognosis.
Question 2: Biphasic mesothelioma contains which combination of cell types?
- Both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells (Correct answer)
- Both pleural and peritoneal cells
- Both benign and malignant cells
- Both primary and metastatic cells
Correct answer: Both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells
Biphasic mesothelioma is a mixed type containing both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells, with prognosis depending on which type predominates.
Question 3: Which mesothelioma cell type accounts for approximately 10–15% of cases and has the worst prognosis?
- Sarcomatoid (Correct answer)
- Epithelioid
- Biphasic
- Desmoplastic
Correct answer: Sarcomatoid
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma makes up 10–15% of cases and has the poorest median survival due to resistance to most treatments.
Question 4: The desmoplastic subtype is a variant of which mesothelioma cell type?
- Sarcomatoid (Correct answer)
- Epithelioid
- Biphasic
- Peritoneal
Correct answer: Sarcomatoid
Desmoplastic mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive subtype of sarcomatoid mesothelioma characterized by dense fibrous stroma.
Question 5: Which type of mesothelioma is most commonly associated with peritoneal spread and HIPEC treatment?
- Peritoneal mesothelioma (Correct answer)
- Pleural mesothelioma
- Pericardial mesothelioma
- Biphasic mesothelioma
Correct answer: Peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma spreads along the abdominal lining and is often treated with cytoreductive surgery combined with HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy).
Question 6: Which mesothelioma type is most difficult to differentiate from benign fibrous tissue on biopsy?
- Sarcomatoid (Correct answer)
- Epithelioid
- Papillary
- Deciduoid
Correct answer: Sarcomatoid
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, particularly the desmoplastic subtype, is notoriously difficult to distinguish from benign reactive fibrous tissue on biopsy.
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is characterized by which of the following?