Desmoplastic Mesothelioma

Desmoplastic Mesothelioma
Desmoplastic Mesothelioma

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Desmoplastic malignant mesothelioma is a rare subtype of diffuse malignant mesothelioma, defined as "A sarcomatoid mesothelioma that has greater than 50% dense collagenized stroma sometimes with a vague storiform appearance." What that means is that the molecular structure of the cell includes elements not found in a typical sarcomatoid mesothelioma cell. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells are the cause of about ten percent of all mesothelioma cases, and are found in the biphasic cell configuration which occurs in twenty to thirty percent of all cases. The desmoplastic form of the cell was found in one extensive review as present in less than seven percent of all cases.

A storiform pattern is irregular and whorled, similar to the fibrotic cells associated with other growths associated with asbestos. Stroma cells are found in connective tissue. The unusual cellular makeup makes it difficult to distinguish as a form of malignant mesothelioma in standard diagnostic procedures. The malignant cells often appear to be pleural plaques, a benign fibrous growth that can affect the pleura or peritoneum but that are not cancerous. They are extremely aggressive cells, difficult to treat because they don't respond readily to the types of chemotherapy that are usually employed for mesothelioma.
Frequency of Desmoplastic Mesothelioma

Another study of two thousand consecutive mesothelioma cases received clinically found 326 of them to be sarcomatoid (16.6%). Of those, 70 cases or 21% were deemed to be desmoplastic cells. This study showed that while the desmoplastic cases were a rare subtype, they nevertheless showed an association with the existence of pleural plaques and the presence of asbestosis.
Patients with Desmoplastic Malignant Mesothelioma

Desmoplastic malignant mesothelioma victims who were exposed to asbestos through another's fault or negligence may be entitled to financial compensation. Desmoplastic malignant mesothelioma patients and their families could recover monies for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A mesothelioma ttorney experienced in desmoplastic malignant mesothelioma litigation may be able to advise you as to your legal options.
Mesothelioma Lawyers

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Sources:

1. Desmoplastic Malignant Mesothelioma, Journal of Clinical Pathology, Wilson et al, 1992, http://jcp.bmjjournals.com/content/45/4/295.abstract
2. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma: a Pathological Correlation of 326 Cases, Modern Pathology, March 2010, http://www.nature.com/modpathol/journal/v23/n3/full/modpathol2009180a.html

Desmoplastic Mesothelioma