Editing Understanding Your Diagnosis (section)

== How Does Mesothelioma Cell Type Affect Your Prognosis? ==

Your pathology report will identify the cell type of your mesothelioma, which significantly impacts both prognosis and treatment options. Three primary cell types exist: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic (a combination of both) ([https://mesotheliomaattorney.com/mesothelioma/types/ Mesothelioma Types Overview]).

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; margin:1em 0; border-collapse:collapse;"
|-
! style="background:#1a5276; color:white; padding:12px; text-align:left; width:20%;" | Cell Type
! style="background:#1a5276; color:white; padding:12px; text-align:left; width:15%;" | Frequency
! style="background:#1a5276; color:white; padding:12px; text-align:left; width:20%;" | Median Survival
! style="background:#1a5276; color:white; padding:12px; text-align:left; width:45%;" | Key Characteristics
|-
| style="padding:12px; font-weight:bold; background:#d4edda;" | Epithelioid
| style="padding:12px; background:#d4edda;" | 50-70%
| style="padding:12px; background:#d4edda;" | 18-24 months
| style="padding:12px; background:#d4edda;" | Best prognosis; responds well to treatment; most surgical options available
|-
| style="padding:12px; font-weight:bold; background:#f8d7da;" | Sarcomatoid
| style="padding:12px; background:#f8d7da;" | 10-20%
| style="padding:12px; background:#f8d7da;" | 6-9 months
| style="padding:12px; background:#f8d7da;" | Most challenging prognosis; spreads rapidly; treatment-resistant
|-
| style="padding:12px; font-weight:bold; background:#fff3cd;" | Biphasic
| style="padding:12px; background:#fff3cd;" | 20-40%
| style="padding:12px; background:#fff3cd;" | Variable
| style="padding:12px; background:#fff3cd;" | Prognosis depends on ratio of epithelioid to sarcomatoid cells
|}

=== Epithelioid Mesothelioma ===

Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for approximately 50-70% of all diagnoses and carries the most favorable prognosis. These cells grow more slowly and respond better to treatment than other cell types, with median survival of 18-24 months and some patients surviving 5+ years with aggressive multimodal treatment. Surgical options are most viable for epithelioid diagnoses.

=== Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma ===

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma represents 10-20% of cases and presents the most challenging prognosis, with median survival of approximately 6-9 months. These spindle-shaped cells spread more rapidly and resist treatment more effectively than epithelioid cells ([https://mesotheliomaattorney.com/mesothelioma/types/sarcomatoid/ Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Guide]). Treatment focuses on symptom management and quality of life.

=== Biphasic Mesothelioma ===

Biphasic mesothelioma, containing both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells, accounts for 20-40% of diagnoses. Prognosis depends heavily on the ratio between cell types—tumors with higher percentages of epithelioid cells generally respond better to treatment. Detailed pathology review is essential to accurately assess this ratio.