Adenomatoid mesothelioma is a subtype of epithelial mesothelioma, also known as glandular mesothelioma.[1] The affected cells arise from tissue in the body’s glands. Adenomatoid tumors are benign, but adenomatoid mesothelioma is not. Distinguishing between the two can be difficult during diagnosis.
About Adenomatoid Mesothelioma
Adenomatoid mesothelioma occurs when mesothelioma cells have a growth pattern described as adenomatoid, a specific type of cell found in glands.
Cancer can arise directly in the gland’s cells, but when the cancer cells begin in the mesothelium and resemble adenomatoid, it is called adenomatoid mesothelioma.
The growth pattern of this type of mesothelioma is tubular spaces that are lined with epithelial cells. This looks similar to the pattern seen in benign adenomas and malignant adenocarcinomas.[2]
What Are Adenomas?
An adenoma, or adenomatoid tumor, is a benign tumor that arises in the epithelial cells of a gland. These tumors may also develop in non-glandular tissues. However, in these cases, they will show signs of gland-like cell patterns.
Some common body areas adenomas originate in include the genital tracts of both men and women. Many of these tumors seem to include tissue from the mesothelium, yet others do not.[3]
What Is Adenocarcinoma?
Adenocarcinoma is a cancer of glandular tissues and is malignant. Mesothelioma in the pleura that has adenomatoid cells may be the result of metastasized adenocarcinoma. In other words, the cancer originated elsewhere, eventually spreading to the pleura.[3]
Differences Between Mesothelioma and Adenocarcinoma
Although similar in many ways, these are two different types of cancer:
- Adenomatoid mesothelioma originates in mesothelial cells.
- Adenocarcinoma cells originate in adenoid, or gland, cells.
- Adenocarcinoma cells are malignant.
- Adenomatoid mesothelioma cells arising in the peritoneum are nearly always benign.
- Pleural adenomatoid mesothelioma cells can be malignant or benign.
What makes adenocarcinoma and adenomatoid mesothelioma similar are the shape and growth pattern of the cells. They are bland and either flat or cube-shaped. They grow in a uniform pattern and can sometimes create microcystic structures.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Adenomatoid Mesothelioma?
Because adenomatoid cells in mesothelioma can have a variety of origins, diagnosis can be problematic. The malignant cells mimic benign cells. This makes it difficult to tell if the cells originated as adenocarcinoma and spread to the mesothelium or if they originated in the pleura or other parts of the mesothelium.
Diagnosis begins with a physical exam, a description of the typical symptoms, imaging scans, and biopsies. These procedures help doctors diagnose mesothelioma; however, histological study, or examination of the tumor and fluid cells under the microscope, is crucial to diagnose the specific type of mesothelioma.
Since adenomatoid mesothelioma’s cell structure and growth patterns mimic those of other types of tumors, a basic histological study of biopsied samples may not be sufficient.
Research has shown immunohistochemical staining and examination can distinguish between cells originating in the mesothelium and those that metastasized from elsewhere, as well as those that are benign.
Immunohistochemical staining uses specific antibodies to target cellular components characteristic of a cell type. This diagnostic tool helps doctors identify cell types more accurately.[4] Pathologists look for markers characteristic of mesothelioma to distinguish it from adenocarcinoma.
What Is the Treatment for Adenomatoid Mesothelioma?
If adenomatoid cells found in the tumors of the pleura or other parts of the mesothelium are determined to be benign, treatment is clear. Surgery is generally used for tumor removal and to prevent further growth of abnormal cells.
If it is true malignant mesothelioma, the treatment is similar to treatments for other types of this cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
What Is the Prognosis?
Unfortunately, the prognosis is not usually good for most cases of adenomatoid mesothelioma. Most are found to be malignant. In one study, participants being studied for adenomatoid mesothelioma tumors received treatment but only lived an average of ten months after the initial diagnosis.
Asbestos exposure is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma. If you believe you might have been exposed in the past, talk to your doctor about cancer screenings.
