Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
Diagnosis of mesothelioma at its early stages can be a challenge even for the most experienced oncologists. Referred as asbestos cancer, this rare and aggressive disease is directly related to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma affects the tissue that is surrounding the lungs, heart and abdominal cavity.
Tests and Diagnosis
If the patient presents any of the signs described above, the doctor will order a computerized tomography (CT) scan, a chest X-ray, or a biopsy. He will also check for symptoms and possible risk factors and perform imaging test to find areas that might be cancerous. If mesothelioma is detected in the early stages, the patient's life expectancy increases significantly.Diagnosing this aggressive form of cancer can be done using PET scans, lung function tests, blood tests, and immunohistochemistry tests. The doctor may also order a laparoscopy to check for tumors, take out organs or do a biopsy. Depending on the doctor's recommendations, mesothelioma patients will undergo a thoracoscopy, a mediastinoscopy or a bronchoscopy. A chest X-ray can reveal the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, while a computed tomography (CT) test will detect any signs of chest wall invasion or pleural effusion.
If the doctor finds any abnormal tissue, he will do a biopsy. To diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma, the specialist will use a peritoneoscope to look inside the abdomen. One of the most popular tools for diagnosing mesothelioma is video-assisted thoracic surgery. This minimally invasive procedure allows doctors to do biopsies of the pleural fluid, nodules, masses and pleural lining by making small incisions through the chest wall. Most tests are done in the hospital with a local anesthetic.
For most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, the medical bills are overwhelming. If your illness has been caused by exposure to asbestos, or if you'd like to know more about mesothelioma, please fill out our mesothelioma packet form
