Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Anyone who has worked with or in an industry that used asbestos, or anyone who suspects they might have been exposed in some other location, should consider consulting with a doctor even if no symptoms have been observed. Symptoms of asbestos related diseases usually show decades after exposure, but testing can find signs of disease earlier. The earlier an asbestos related disease is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment can be.

When a patient having symptoms of lung or abdominal disease sees a doctor, the doctor will usually take a thorough medical, work, and environmental history. In deciding if a patient has mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer the patient's possible exposure to asbestos will be helpful information. Information about the individual's past, even twenty to fifty years ago, is needed because diseases caused by asbestos have a long latency period. Questions will include not only the patient's possible exposure at work, but also at home. Exposure has been from fibers brought home by a worker on hair or clothing. Asbestos can be found in many places and even exposure for a brief period of time can be hazardous.

In a physical examination your doctor will check for swelling in the face and neck. He will also look for stomach mass, and/or a lump on the chest wall. A lung function test will reveal if a smaller amount of normal lung tissue available for breathing. A blood will reveal whether or not high levels of CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen), clotting abnormalities or elevated plate counts are present. These results can help distinguish between mesothelioma and other diseases with similar symptoms. Although a chest x-ray may be taken, a computer tomography (CT) scan and/or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can provide a more complete and unobstructed view of the anatomy and the diseased tissue than a standard x-ray examination. A CT scan of a patient's chest produces over 100 "cross sectional" images. In the diagnosis of mesothelioma, the images shoe a thick "rind" surrounding the outer area of the lung. The thickness of this rind is important in determining the stage of the mesothelioma, and a comparison among scans acquired from the same patient over time provides the basis for assessing the progression of the disease and the response of the disease to treatment.

In some cases the doctor will order a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. A biopsy may be either a needle biopsy or an open biopsy. In a needle biopsy, fluid is removed from lung and examined for cancerous cells. In an open biopsy, a surgeon will make a small incision in the chest wall or abdominal cavity and remove a sample of tissue to be examined for cancerous cells. The tissue is processed microscopically examined. In the majority of cases, a definite diagnosis can be from this examination. In the remaining cases, electron microscopic examination can be used to gain more diagnostic information.

When a patient suspects mesothelioma, it is important to consult with a doctor who is familiar with asbestos related diseases. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer and has symptoms similar to other diseases. It can be misdiagnosed, especially if the doctor has little experience with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma progresses rapidly and an early diagnosis is important. If the patient is unsure of the diagnosis, he/she should seek a second opinion without hesitation. Lung disease is frightening and the patient should feel confidence with his/her physician ability to treat the disease.