Most Common Mesothelioma Cell Types

Epithelial Mesothelioma

Accounting for 50 to 70 percent of all cases, epithelial mesothelioma is by far the most common histological subtype. Compared with other cell types, epithelial mesothelioma typically responds best to treatment. It is therefore associated with the best survival.

Papillary mesothelioma, also known as well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma (WDPM), is a rare subtype of epithelial mesothelioma. WDPM is considered a benign type of mesothelioma that grows slowly and responds well to treatment. It most commonly occurs in the abdomen of women, but can develop in the pleura as well.

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

The least common of the three major histological subtypes, sarcomatoid mesothelioma is observed in about 10 to 20 percent of all cases. Because this subtype is particularly aggressive, survival is usually poor.

Biphasic Mesothelioma

In about 20 to 35 percent of cases, mesothelioma tumors contain a mix of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells. This subtype is called biphasic mesothelioma. The ratio of epithelial to biphasic cells can vary significantly from case to case, which influences the patient’s outlook. When a biphasic tumor has a greater number of epithelial cells, survival is generally better.