Mesothelioma Diagnosis Process
Posted on: December 30, 2023 *Updated on: May 25, 2024The diagnosis of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer often associated with asbestos exposure, involves a multi-step process:
- Physical Examination: This initial step usually occurs when a patient presents with symptoms that may suggest mesothelioma. These symptoms can often be non-specific and might include shortness of breath, chest pain, or swelling in an arm.
- Imaging Tests: These are typically the first set of diagnostic tests. They can include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans. Imaging tests help doctors see abnormalities in the chest or abdomen, such as thickening of the pleura, fluid buildup, or tumor masses.
- Blood Tests: While blood tests alone cannot diagnose mesothelioma, they can support the diagnosis by detecting certain biomarkers that are often elevated in mesothelioma patients.
- Biopsies: This is the definitive step in diagnosing mesothelioma. A biopsy involves taking a sample of tissue from the affected area. There are different types of biopsies, such as needle biopsies, thoracoscopy, laparoscopy, or open surgical biopsies. The tissue sample is then examined under a microscope to look for cancer cells. Thoracoscopy, in particular, has a high diagnostic accuracy rate for mesothelioma.
- Staging and Monitoring: Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, further tests are conducted to determine the stage of the disease and to monitor the response to treatment.
It’s important to note that many patients are diagnosed after seeking treatment for what they believe to be unrelated symptoms. This highlights the importance of thorough medical evaluation when unusual or persistent symptoms are present.