Well Differentiated Papillary Mesothelioma Treatment
Well differentiated papillary mesothelioma is found most often in the abdomen's lining called the peritoneum. It also occurs in the pleura surrounding the lungs and the tunica vaginalis in the testes.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive disease, however this type has low malignant potential and usually responds to treatment. However, it could recur and may progress to more advanced cancers.
Signs and symptoms
Well differentiated papillary mesothelioma is a type of tumor that grows on the membranes of various organs. It is most commonly found in the peritoneum. However, it can also appear on the pleura (lining around the lungs), the pericardium (a sac that is located around the heart) and the tunica vaginalis (the tissue that surrounds the testicles). Certain mesothelioma types are benign, while the majority are cancerous. They are referred to as low-grade mesothelioma that typically has a better prognosis than mesothelioma that is malignant.
Asbestos exposure is a major cause mesothelioma. In certain cases people suffering from this disease might not be able to recognize symptoms until several years after asbestos exposure. Therefore, doctors must determine the condition by performing physical examinations and collecting blood samples to test for the condition. They make use of imaging technologies such as x rays, MRIs, and PET scans to look for symptoms of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma treatment is most effective when patients are identified and treated prior to the tumors grow into malignant forms. Therefore, many mesothelioma specialists recommend regular follow-ups to spot any changes that could be occurring. A recent case report published by the Journal of Medical Ultrasound revealed that scheduled imaging follow ups are not required for papillary mesothelioma having a well-differentiated stage.
The study examined the first instance of WDPM that was found to be concurrently associated with a struma Ovariani, which is a rare tumor that occurs in the serosal tissue surrounding the uterus. The patient complained of symptomatic abdominal pain and underwent laparoscopy with debulking. The pathology that resulted revealed a non-invasive papillary proliferation of mesothelial cell with the BAP1 marker. BAP1 as deemed acceptable under the new WHO classification.
According to the study, WDPM is a benign tumor that rarely transforms into mesothelioma that is invasive. The authors of the study point out that epithelioid mesotheliomas that are invasive and are not ambiguous may also mimic WDPM.
Diagnosis
In most instances, the first signs of WDPM are abdominal discomfort or swelling. The condition can also cause swelling of the abdomen or lungs. It is crucial to be diagnosed by an experienced doctor. Mesothelioma can be classified as epithelial or Sarcomatoid and some are biphasic (a combination of both types). sarcomatoid mesothelioma treatment to malignant mesothelioma which can spread quickly and grow to other areas of the body, WDPM is typically benign.
Most mesotheliomas can be classified by their cell type, with epithelial the most prevalent and sarcomatoid being the most rare. However, a few studies have explored the possibility that mesothelioma could evolve into a well-differentiated, mesothelioma papillary. While sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a very poor prognosis, a well-differentiated mesothelioma is considered to have a low-risk.
In the past there were only 14 cases of well-differentiated papillary melanoma in the medical literature. This rare tumor forms in the lining of specific organs, such as the peritoneum and pleura. The exact cause is not known however it is believed that exposure to asbestos is the primary cause.
The WDPM tumor is located in the tissues of the organ it targets, which is typically the peritoneum. But it can also occur in the pleura, which is the sac that surrounds the lungs, and the tunica vaginalis in the tests.
WDPM is regarded as mesothelioma of low grade however it could transform into malignant mesothelioma in time. Some patients have developed both WDPM and malignant mesothelioma at the same area of their bodies.
Doctors detect WDPM by taking an sample of the affected tissue and performing tests in the laboratory. These tests are performed to detect the presence of cancerous cells and their level of differentiation. If a patient is diagnosed with this disease, they should attend regular follow-up appointments to ensure that the tumor doesn't grow or become recurrent. WDPM could be misdiagnosed or mistaken for benign mesothelioma. Therefore, it is essential that doctors understand the rare nature of WDPM and the potential for the possibility of recurrence. If you have a repeated occurrence of this disease should discuss their options with a knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer.
Treatment
Treatment of papillary mesothelioma using a well-differentiated approach is usually effective and provides a much better prognosis compared to other types of mesothelioma. Like other types of mesothelioma patients must consult a specialist to get the right diagnosis and receive the best treatment.
The initial step in mesothelioma treatment is to remove the tumor or cancerous tissue from the affected part of the body. The surgeon can also employ chemotherapy or radiation to kill any remaining cancerous cells and prevent the growth of tumors in the future.
The majority of mesothelioma cases occur in the the abdominal cavity, but doctors have observed it in other areas of the body and in the pleura (lung liner) as well as the pericardium (heart sac) and tunica vaginalis (tunicles). In the case of WDPMT the tumors typically appear as white to gray nodules that range from one to three centimeters wide. The tumors develop slowly, but can cause lots of pain and swelling as they expand.
The cell structure of a well-differentiated mesothelioma papillary is unique and differentiates it from other types of mesothelioma. The tumors are identified by a branching pattern that is formed by cuboidal cells that are bland and squishy mesothelial tissue, which form finger-like projections known as papillae. The papillae typically are located in the lining of the peritoneum however they can be found in the pleura as well as testicles.
Despite their distinct cellular structure, epithelial mesothelioma (WDPM) and other types must be differentiated from malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma that has a more aggressive course of action. Specifically, sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells tend to grow more quickly and spread across the entire.
Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma, on the contrary is more likely be associated with smoking than asbestos exposure. Yet, the link between mesothelioma and asbestos remains in doubt. Asbestos is believed to contribute to the development of benign and malignant mesothelioma, however, it doesn't appear to be a causal cause of WDPM. A number of studies have revealed that a single WDPM can progress to mesothelioma malign in a small subset of patients, however it isn't clear who is most at risk of this progression. For those whose solitary WDPM has a decrease in the BAP 1 and the MTAP, there is an increased likelihood that their tumor will take an aggressive course of treatment.
Prevention
Papillary mesothelioma is the most frequent in the linings of the abdomen (peritoneum), and less often in the linings of the lungs and testicles. This type of epithelial mesothelioma is usually benign and has a favorable prognosis. There is a tiny chance that the cancer could turn malignant. Asbestos, a well-known carcinogen, is thought to be the cause of this cancer, but research continues into other possible causes.
In a few cases, WDPM may transform into mesothelioma that is malignant. This is a rare occurrence. However it is crucial that you seek treatment and diagnosis as soon as you can if you notice any of the symptoms.
WDPM and sarcomatoid sarcomatoid are two types of malignant tumours that differ in their cell form and outlook. WDPM is usually epithelial, while sarcomatoid mesothelioma is more often a sarcomatoid type of cancer. It is also possible to develop mesothelioma that is biphasic, that has characteristics of both epithelial as well as sarcomatoid types.
Because WDPM is typically benign, this kind of mesothelioma has an overall better prognosis than most other malignancy types. This is particularly true when it is diagnosed in the peritoneum. However, it could cause serious health issues and is extremely difficult to treat in the tunica or pleura vaginalis.
Typically, doctors diagnose this type of mesothelioma after it is found in the course of surgery for another disease or by chance in a patient suffering from abdominal pain or fluid buildup. A biopsy is the only method to confirm the diagnosis with certainty.
Patients with a history asbestos exposure should be evaluated by a mesothelioma physician who has access to the most recent research and treatment methods. Patients have reported 3-year survivability rates of as high as 60% when combined with aggressive locoregional treatment which includes cytoreductive surgical elimination of all gross disease, and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy to eradicate the disease in a microscopic way. This is far higher than the median survival rate of historical controls. Because of this, it is essential to receive treatment at a mesothelioma referral center.