Mesothelioma Diagnosis: Imaging Tests, Biopsies & Blood Tests - Mesothelioma Diagnosis
| One or more mesothelioma diagnosis will be used by your doctor, if there is reason to suspect you may have a mesothelioma. A complete medical history is analyzed to establish risk factors and presence of symptoms. Patients with pleural malignant mesotheliomas often have pleural effusion (fluid in their chest cavity), ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity) in the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial effusion (fluid in the pericardium) in the case of pericardial mesothelioma, which can be detected during a physical exam.
Mesothelioma diagnosis support by imaging such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans will help determine the location, size, and extent of the cancer. A chest x-ray may show irregular thickening of the pleura, pleural calcifications (mineral deposits), lowering of the lung fissures (spaces between the lobes of the lungs), and fluid in the pleural space. These findings suggest asbestos exposure, hence a probable imminence of malignant mesothelioma. A sample of this fluid for test can be extracted by inserting a needle into the chest cavity. A similar technique can be used to obtain abdominal fluid and pericardial fluid.
A tissue sample of a pleural malignant mesothelioma can be obtained using a relatively new technique called thoracoscopy. A thoracoscope (telescope-like instrument connected to a video camera) is inserted through a small incision into the chest. The doctor can spot the tumor through this and can use special forceps to take a tissue biopsy. Similarly, laparoscopy can be used to see and obtain a biopsy of a peritoneal tumor.
For patients who might have pleural malignant mesothelioma, the doctor may also do a bronchoscopy. In this procedure a flexible lighted tube is inserted through the mouth, down the trachea, and into the bronchi to see if there are other masses in the airway. Small samples of abnormal-appearing tissue can be removed for testing. The patient may also have a mediastinoscopy. During this procedure a lighted tube is inserted under the sternum (chest bone) at the level of the neck and moved down into the chest. The surgeon is then able to view the lymph nodes in this region and take samples to diagnose malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma diagnosis should never be taken lightly, it should be dealt with as soon as possible.
Lymph nodes are bean-sized collections of immune system cells that immunize body against infections and cancers. Lung cancers frequently spread to lymph nodes, but mesotheliomas rarely do this. Examination of the lymph nodes allows the doctor to determine whether a cancer is still localized or if it has begun to spread, and whether it is lung cancer or malignant mesothelioma. Some lab tests use special techniques to identify certain chemicals known to be present in mesotheliomas, different than those present in cancer of the lung or ovary. The electron microscope may also be helpful to diagnose malignant mesothelioma.
The difficulty in distinguishing between mesothelioma and other forms of cancer or benign, noncancerous pleural inflammation is the primary problem posed during the initial mesothelioma diagnosis. The most favorable diagnostic tools presently remain the open pleural biopsy performed during thoracoscopy which allows for direct inspection of the inside of the chest, and provides information on the involvement of the other organs and any spread of disease. Less successful procedures are CT guided pleural biopsy, or blind pleural biopsy. In addition to the gross appearance of the tumor, pathologists often rely on a panel of histochemical and immunohistochemical stains to diagnose or exclude malignant meosothelioma.
Because mesothelioma is a rare disease, it may be misdiagnosed by the everyday physician. If you have a history of constant exposure to asbestos you have to be cautious. Once inflicted with the daring disease, you may remain symptom-less for decades. The disease is slow to incubate and exhibit the symptoms. If you come across any symptoms related to mesothelioma you may immediately find a specialist who has treated numerous mesothelioma patients. Various mesothelioma diagnosis methods will determine whether you have the disease or not. If detected early, you can start the treatment to extend your life span.
This website is only for informational purpose.It is your responsibility to verify the information provided.Always seek legal and/or medical counsel where needed.
| One or more mesothelioma diagnosis will be used by your doctor, if there is reason to suspect you may have a mesothelioma. A complete medical history is analyzed to establish risk factors and presence of symptoms. Patients with pleural malignant mesotheliomas often have pleural effusion (fluid in their chest cavity), ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity) in the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial effusion (fluid in the pericardium) in the case of pericardial mesothelioma, which can be detected during a physical exam.
Mesothelioma diagnosis support by imaging such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans will help determine the location, size, and extent of the cancer. A chest x-ray may show irregular thickening of the pleura, pleural calcifications (mineral deposits), lowering of the lung fissures (spaces between the lobes of the lungs), and fluid in the pleural space. These findings suggest asbestos exposure, hence a probable imminence of malignant mesothelioma. A sample of this fluid for test can be extracted by inserting a needle into the chest cavity. A similar technique can be used to obtain abdominal fluid and pericardial fluid.
A tissue sample of a pleural malignant mesothelioma can be obtained using a relatively new technique called thoracoscopy. A thoracoscope (telescope-like instrument connected to a video camera) is inserted through a small incision into the chest. The doctor can spot the tumor through this and can use special forceps to take a tissue biopsy. Similarly, laparoscopy can be used to see and obtain a biopsy of a peritoneal tumor.
For patients who might have pleural malignant mesothelioma, the doctor may also do a bronchoscopy. In this procedure a flexible lighted tube is inserted through the mouth, down the trachea, and into the bronchi to see if there are other masses in the airway. Small samples of abnormal-appearing tissue can be removed for testing. The patient may also have a mediastinoscopy. During this procedure a lighted tube is inserted under the sternum (chest bone) at the level of the neck and moved down into the chest. The surgeon is then able to view the lymph nodes in this region and take samples to diagnose malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma diagnosis should never be taken lightly, it should be dealt with as soon as possible.
Lymph nodes are bean-sized collections of immune system cells that immunize body against infections and cancers. Lung cancers frequently spread to lymph nodes, but mesotheliomas rarely do this. Examination of the lymph nodes allows the doctor to determine whether a cancer is still localized or if it has begun to spread, and whether it is lung cancer or malignant mesothelioma. Some lab tests use special techniques to identify certain chemicals known to be present in mesotheliomas, different than those present in cancer of the lung or ovary. The electron microscope may also be helpful to diagnose malignant mesothelioma.
The difficulty in distinguishing between mesothelioma and other forms of cancer or benign, noncancerous pleural inflammation is the primary problem posed during the initial mesothelioma diagnosis. The most favorable diagnostic tools presently remain the open pleural biopsy performed during thoracoscopy which allows for direct inspection of the inside of the chest, and provides information on the involvement of the other organs and any spread of disease. Less successful procedures are CT guided pleural biopsy, or blind pleural biopsy. In addition to the gross appearance of the tumor, pathologists often rely on a panel of histochemical and immunohistochemical stains to diagnose or exclude malignant meosothelioma.
Because mesothelioma is a rare disease, it may be misdiagnosed by the everyday physician. If you have a history of constant exposure to asbestos you have to be cautious. Once inflicted with the daring disease, you may remain symptom-less for decades. The disease is slow to incubate and exhibit the symptoms. If you come across any symptoms related to mesothelioma you may immediately find a specialist who has treated numerous mesothelioma patients. Various mesothelioma diagnosis methods will determine whether you have the disease or not. If detected early, you can start the treatment to extend your life span.
This website is only for informational purpose.It is your responsibility to verify the information provided.Always seek legal and/or medical counsel where needed.
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