Mesothelioma Diagnosis-How do you diagnose mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is very aggressive and spreads quickly. Most often, a diagnosis can not be made until the latter advanced stages of the cancer of the cancer as its symptoms do not show up until the cancer is well advanced. On the average it takes about 20-50 years post exposure to asbestos before symptoms show up.
By the time the symptoms show up, they are not usually very specific and often resemble symptoms of other less serious and common illness. This also makes diagnosis difficult. The early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma resembles that of influenza or pneumonia and this can cause misdiagnosis.
Initial Stages of Diagnosis
Studies show that mesothelioma patients are typically diagnosed within three to six months of their first visit to a doctor with complaints about breathing problems or chest and abdominal pain.
The first step involved in diagnosis is providing a full and accurate medical history to your doctor, including details about current and past health concerns, as well as the types of symptoms you are currently experiencing. You should mention any history of asbestos exposure to your doctor. If you fail to mention thisyour doctor he/she will probably not consider asbestos related disease in his or her diagnosis.
The doctor will then proceed to carry out a thorough physical examination on the patient the doctor will examine for symptoms and signs of the disease. After the examination the doctor will recommend further tests to confirm the clinical diagnosis.
Diagnostic Tests
Once a clinical suspicion of mesothelioma has been established, you will need to undergo some tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, determine the location, size and type of cancer involved, and to determine whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This will often involve imaging tests such as:
-Chest X-ray: This is the most commonly used imaging test for the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Almost all diagnoses will involve an x-ray but a more sophisticated test may follow.
-CT Scan: An x-ray-like procedure in which several x-ray pictures are taken and combined with a computer to produce a detailed image of body tissues. If you undergo a CT scan, you may be given an intravenous injection of dye that helps produce more detailed images.
-PET Scan: Glucose solution is administered via intravenous injection, and a scanner is used to spot deposits of cancer cells. Malignant cells take up and use sugars more quickly than normal cells, so they can be easily distinguished using this procedure.
-MRI Scan: A combination of radio waves and a strong magnetic field is used to create detailed three-dimensional images that can be carefully examined by a radiologist.
Fluid and Tissue Tests
These tests, also known as biopsy tests, involve collecting small samples of fluid or tissue and checking them for the presence of cancer cells. Such tests include:
• Fine Needle Aspiration: Mesothelioma cancers cause fluid to build up in affected locations, such as in the pleural membrane of the lungs. During a fine needle aspiration, a doctor will remove a fluid sample using a very long, thin and hollow needle.
• Thoracoscopy: Thoracoscopy is used in cases where pleural or pericardial mesothelioma is suspected. During this procedure a very small incision is made in the chest wall, through which a sample of tissue is removed.
• Bronchoscopy and Laparoscopy: These procedures are similar to the thoracoscopy, but are performed on different parts of the body. The bronchoscopy is used to view the trachea and airway, while the laparoscopy is used to remove samples of peritoneal tissue.
• Mediastinoscopy: This procedure is used to view lymph nodes in the chest and neck, to determine if cancer has spread from its point of origin.
After Diagnosis
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, your doctor will recommend an "oncologist" (a doctor who has specialized in cancer treatment}, who is well-versed in treating the disease. He/she will help you to choose the best treatment option.
Patients should also educate themselves about the disease and the available treatment options and reach out to available resources to make coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis easier.
By the time the symptoms show up, they are not usually very specific and often resemble symptoms of other less serious and common illness. This also makes diagnosis difficult. The early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma resembles that of influenza or pneumonia and this can cause misdiagnosis.
Initial Stages of Diagnosis
Studies show that mesothelioma patients are typically diagnosed within three to six months of their first visit to a doctor with complaints about breathing problems or chest and abdominal pain.
The first step involved in diagnosis is providing a full and accurate medical history to your doctor, including details about current and past health concerns, as well as the types of symptoms you are currently experiencing. You should mention any history of asbestos exposure to your doctor. If you fail to mention thisyour doctor he/she will probably not consider asbestos related disease in his or her diagnosis.
The doctor will then proceed to carry out a thorough physical examination on the patient the doctor will examine for symptoms and signs of the disease. After the examination the doctor will recommend further tests to confirm the clinical diagnosis.
Diagnostic Tests
Once a clinical suspicion of mesothelioma has been established, you will need to undergo some tests to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, determine the location, size and type of cancer involved, and to determine whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This will often involve imaging tests such as:
-Chest X-ray: This is the most commonly used imaging test for the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Almost all diagnoses will involve an x-ray but a more sophisticated test may follow.
-CT Scan: An x-ray-like procedure in which several x-ray pictures are taken and combined with a computer to produce a detailed image of body tissues. If you undergo a CT scan, you may be given an intravenous injection of dye that helps produce more detailed images.
-PET Scan: Glucose solution is administered via intravenous injection, and a scanner is used to spot deposits of cancer cells. Malignant cells take up and use sugars more quickly than normal cells, so they can be easily distinguished using this procedure.
-MRI Scan: A combination of radio waves and a strong magnetic field is used to create detailed three-dimensional images that can be carefully examined by a radiologist.
Fluid and Tissue Tests
These tests, also known as biopsy tests, involve collecting small samples of fluid or tissue and checking them for the presence of cancer cells. Such tests include:
• Fine Needle Aspiration: Mesothelioma cancers cause fluid to build up in affected locations, such as in the pleural membrane of the lungs. During a fine needle aspiration, a doctor will remove a fluid sample using a very long, thin and hollow needle.
• Thoracoscopy: Thoracoscopy is used in cases where pleural or pericardial mesothelioma is suspected. During this procedure a very small incision is made in the chest wall, through which a sample of tissue is removed.
• Bronchoscopy and Laparoscopy: These procedures are similar to the thoracoscopy, but are performed on different parts of the body. The bronchoscopy is used to view the trachea and airway, while the laparoscopy is used to remove samples of peritoneal tissue.
• Mediastinoscopy: This procedure is used to view lymph nodes in the chest and neck, to determine if cancer has spread from its point of origin.
After Diagnosis
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, your doctor will recommend an "oncologist" (a doctor who has specialized in cancer treatment}, who is well-versed in treating the disease. He/she will help you to choose the best treatment option.
Patients should also educate themselves about the disease and the available treatment options and reach out to available resources to make coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis easier.
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