Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult diagnosis to make since the symptoms in the early stages of this rare disease are similar to those of other common diseases.  Hence, it is common for a Mesothelioma diagnosis to be delayed as even doctors mistake most of these symptoms as non-specific.

Both the radiological and clinical findings have to be carefully assessed to diagnose mesothelioma and along with the above mentioned two factors the tissue biopsy also needs to be confirmed carefully.

Mesothelioma diagnosis can be helped to a great extent by studying the patient’s history since through this, details like the patient’s complete physical examination, x-ray results of the chest and abdomen, their asbestos exposure and lung function can be observed.

At the initial stages of this disease a Computerized Tomography (CT) scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be performed and if the preliminary results obtained are suspicious in any way then in order to confirm the diagnosis a biopsy can be carried out.

The biopsy can help determine the location of the cancer and the stage of the cancer can be determined once the biopsy confirms the presence of mesothelioma after which a serious of tests can help determine how far the cancerous cells have spread.

The disease can be considered localized if the tests confirm that the cancerous cells have not developed beyond the membrane. Various tests can be performed during the Mesothelioma diagnosis procedure. These include tests which are used to look into the affected area such as X-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, CT (Computed Tomography) scans, PET (Positron Emission Tomography), mediastinoscopy and bronchoscopy.

Other tests performed include thoracoscopy to look directly into the tumour, cytology which is used to test the pleural fluid after it has been removed by a needle and needle and open biopsies.