Types of Mesothelioma Flashcards

What is the medical term for the fluid buildup between the two layers of the pleura in pleural mesothelioma?

Answer: Pleural effusion

Pleural effusion is the accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural space and is one of the hallmark symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Which mesothelioma type is sometimes treated with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)?

Answer: Peritoneal mesothelioma

HIPEC is used specifically for peritoneal mesothelioma, delivering heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity during surgery.

A patient with mesothelioma has a biopsy showing both elongated spindle cells and cuboidal epithelial cells. What is the diagnosis?

Answer: Biphasic mesothelioma

Biphasic mesothelioma contains both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cell types in varying proportions within the same tumor.

Which subtype of sarcomatoid mesothelioma is characterized by dense fibrous tissue making diagnosis particularly difficult?

Answer: Desmoplastic

Desmoplastic mesothelioma is a rare sarcomatoid subtype dominated by dense fibrous stroma, often mistaken for benign fibrous pleuritis.

Where does peritoneal mesothelioma most commonly spread once it progresses?

Answer: Within the abdominal cavity to nearby organs

Peritoneal mesothelioma tends to spread locally within the abdominal cavity, invading nearby organs like the liver, intestines, and stomach.

Which mesothelioma type accounts for approximately 1% of cases and is most commonly discovered incidentally during cardiac surgery?

Answer: Pericardial mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare (about 1%) and is often found unexpectedly during procedures for other cardiac conditions.

What percentage of mesothelioma cases are classified as epithelioid cell type?

Answer: 50–70%

Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common cell type, representing approximately 50–70% of all mesothelioma diagnoses.