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Mesothelioma Diagnosis

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Diagnosing mesothelioma can indeed by a tricky process. Because the symptoms are similar to those of so many other common diseases, this aggressive form of cancer can often be mistaken for something else. An accurate diagnosis largely depends on the patient providing a complete history - both medical and occupational. This may indicate any past exposure to asbestos which may have caused the disease. 1

A diagnosis of mesothelioma is most often obtained with careful assessment of clinical and radiological findings in addition to a confirming tissue biopsy. Learn about typical mesothelioma symptoms.) A review of the patient’s medical history, including history of asbestos exposure is taken, followed by a complete physical examination, x-rays of the chest or abdomen, and lung function tests. A CT scan or MRI may also be done at this time. If any of these preliminary tests prove suspicious for mesothelioma; a biopsy is necessary to confirm this diagnosis. 2

Mesothelioma is a serious disease. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos. By the time the symptoms appear and cancer is diagnosed, the disease is often advanced. The average survival time is about 1 year. The 5-year relative survival rate is around 10%, but this rate has been slowly improving. 3

Patients with pleural mesothelioma first experience general difficulty in breathing (dyspnea) and as well as pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest. Other mesothelioma symptoms may include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), or sweating and fevers. An increase in waist size or abdominal pain may be a symptom of the growth of cancer cells in the stomach area and peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer of the abdomen or stomach). Both peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma patients may have poor appetites and become gaunt and thin. 4

Your doctor may begin your pleural mesothelioma diagnosis by analyzing your mesothelioma symptoms, which could also be signs of other cancerous or non-cancerous diseases. Even if you currently have no mesothelioma symptoms, however, it is important to tell your doctor if you have had any significant exposure to asbestos. This will help your doctor carefully monitor your health over the years, being on the look-out for asbestos diseases such as asbestosis as well as for peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma. 5

If you do have mesothelioma symptoms, your physician will ask for details about your exposure to asbestos and perform a complete medical examination before making a mesothelioma diagnosis. You may be asked to provide fluid and tissue samples. Imaging is also a common part of the diagnostic process. Imaging tests include x–rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and positron emission tomography or PET. Doctors use both sampling and imaging techniques to make the mesothelioma diagnosis process easier and to help distinguish pleural mesothelioma from other diseases such as lung cancer. 6

Pleural mesothelioma diagnosis is made partly on the basis of symptoms, but because symptoms are non-specific, additional diagnostic tested are needed to confirm the presence of cancer. Following a medical history and physical examination, patients must typically undergo imaging tests to confirm the location of cancer, and fluid and tissue tests to confirm the type of cancer involved. 7

Peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis cannot be made on the basis of symptoms alone. The diagnostic process begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination, followed by sophisticated diagnostic testing, such as a CT scan, PET scan, or MRI. These tests can not only confirm a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma, but also provide important information that will help determine the patient’s best mesothelioma treatment options. 8

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that most often affects the pleura, the thin layer of tissue covering the lungs. As this eMedTV segment explains, malignant mesothelioma is often the result of exposure to asbestos. 9

Anyone experiencing the basic signs and symptoms of mesthoelioma must consult with a doctor for a comprehensive exam. Mesothelioma diagnosis can help reduce the cancer from spreading, and limit any complications associated with the disease. Mesothelioma diagnosis involves a few different tests and approaches to determine the health of the patient. 10

There are often very few signs during an initial physical exam that would identify the presence of mesothelioma. On the basis of patient symptoms, medical history, the presence of specific risk factors (work environment, asbestos exposure), and a complete physical examination, the doctor can use one or more of the methods described below to determine if the disease is present. 11

ldquo;Mesothelioma” is a scary word, and rightfully so—it represents a scary, albeit rare, disease in which the mesothelium, the membrane that lines many of the body’s internal cavities, becomes infected with cancer cells. Mesothelioma, which is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos, is also considered a very rare, unique form of cancer because mesothelioma symptoms often don’t show up until decades after the victim was first exposed to asbestos—sometimes up to 50 years later! 12

With potential mesothelioma patients, the first biopsy usually performed is one which removes fluid from around the lungs. Other doctors, however, might prefer to proceed directly to the tissue biopsy, deeming the fluid biopsy inconclusive. Still, other physicians may opt for a laparoscopy or thoracoscopy, which involves making a small incision and using a tiny camera to look at the affected area. A tissue sample can be taken during this procedure. These procedures will probably involve a local anesthetic. 13

For pleural mesothelioma the doctor may look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope. A cut will be made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope will be put into the chest between two ribs. This test is usually done in a hospital with a local anesthetic or painkiller. 14

In most cases, it will take several days or longer to receive the results of many of these tests. While it may be difficult to be patient during the waiting period, patients should be assured that doctors are offering the best tools available for an accurate diagnosis and will deliver the diagnosis as soon as possible. A proper diagnosis will help your doctor to determine the best mesothelioma treatment available. 15

    References

The Panacea offers these health-extracts to help people investigate health-related subjects in greater depth using the references given in each paragraph. Kindly note that these are current extracts from the web, meant for research, and that these are not meant to be medical advise. For all your health-related needs you must consult trained and licensed personnel.

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