Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Since mesothelioma is considered one of the rarer types of cancer in order for there to be a proper

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

, there are additional factors to be considered. Since there are so many symptoms that mirror mesothelioma is can difficult to start there will be a review of the patients history. With the history the doctor will want to know about your medical history, when your symptoms began and if the patient has ever worked with or been exposed to asbestos.

Once the review has been evaluated the patient will receive a physical, a chest x-ray and possibly a lung function test. From there a number other tests may be performed in order to conclude that it is a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Several of the different types of mesothelioma tests may include:

Blood Tests - Two substances are looked for to check the blood levels, osteopontin and soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRPs), are more often higher in people with mesothelioma. Although this not confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, it is a key part of the overall factors considered in the diagnosis.

Fluid and Tissue Sample Tests - If one of the patients symptoms is fluid buildup, this could be related to a positive mesothelioma diagnosis. The fluid is removed by your doctor by inserting a needle through the skin into the area of fluid buildup. The fluid is then examined under a microscope for cancer cells. If there are cancer cells found, further tests can be performed to see if it is mesothelioma. But just because the test comes out negative does not mean you do not have it, now a biopsy will need to be done.

You may find that the tests have different names and that is due to where the fluid buildup is:

• Thoracentesis – The chest cavity
• Paracentesis – The abdomen
• Pericardiocentesis – The membrane around the heart

There are several types of biopsies that may need to be done and vary due to the suspected location, to determine a mesothelioma diagnosis:

Needle Biopsy – This involves inserting a long, hollow needle through the skin to remove a tiny piece of a tumor along with an image test to make sure the needle finds its way to the tumor.

Thoracoscopy, Laparoscopy, and Mediastinoscopy – With these procedures, the doctor makes an incision and inserts a very thin lighted scope through it to see potential areas of mesothelioma.

• Thoracoscopy – the space between the lungs and chest wall
• Laparoscopy – the inside of the abdomen
• Mediastinoscopy -the center of the chest around the heart

Surgical Biopsy - There are some cases where a more invasive procedures may be needed in order to get a larger tissue sample for a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Bronchoscopic Biopsy – This procedure involves passing a long, thin, flexible tube down the throat to examine the airways for to take a sample of the tumor which can be pulled through the tube.

Also included in the mesothelioma diagnosis, there may be a series of imaging tests that are:

Chest X-ray - A chest x-ray may show abnormal thickening in the lining of the lung, fluid in the lungs and chest walls or other changes could suggest mesothelioma.

Computed Tomography (CT). This is known as a CT scan is a procedure where multiple X-rays and a computer create detailed images of the inside of the body. This will help determine if there is cancer, where it is and has it spread.

Positron Emission tomography (PET) – This is also known as a PET scan where radioactive material is injected and pictures are taken where if there is cancer, the cancer cells absorb a lot of the radioactive showing up brighter in cancer cells.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – This is called an MRI scans which uses radio waves and very strong magnets to make detailed images of the body. This scan shows details of the soft tissues and help with locating the location of the tumor.

The doctor will take a look at all of the information to come up with the mesothelioma diagnosis. Once the patient has been diagnosed, there will be further discussion as to what treatment will best suit that patient.