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The diagnosis of mesothelioma is not always easy. Many doctors are still unfamiliar with the symptoms which could be put down to a number of other, more common diseases. Timely diagnosis of mesothelioma is particularly difficult because of the latency period between contraction and display of symptoms. The symptoms of this cancer may not become evident for decades, which means that by the time it is diagnosed it is in its latter stages and there is little that can be done for the patient.
There are many symptoms that become evident in Pleural mesothelioma patients, many of which are common symptoms in a variety of illnesses and diseases, hence the difficulty in diagnosis. Lower back pain, chest pain and shortness of breath are symptoms of the disease. Some patients also suffer from excessive perspiration, trouble swallowing, weight loss and tiredness. The disease affects the respiratory system, and results from an accumulation of fluid between the lung lining and chest cavity, known as pleural effusion. The other type of mesothelioma, which affects the abdominal lining, is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. The symptoms that may be displayed by patients include nausea, vomiting, weight loss and stomach pains.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma will entail scans and biopsies arranged by your doctor. A CT or MRI scan is often used to detect the possible presence of the disease, and if there is a positive indication of the presence of mesothelioma, the scans are followed up by a biopsy. Doctors often run an examination on the fluid surrounding the lungs, but all too often this is inadequate to make a firm diagnosis. In these circumstances the doctor may perform a small operation in order to remove a tissue sample and run a biopsy on that. This is known as open pleural biopsy. If you are suspected of suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma the biopsy will be performed on tissue taken from the abdominal area, known as a peritoneal biopsy.
Although the open biopsy procedures are considered to be the most effective and conclusive ways of diagnosing mesothelioma according to experts, there are a range of other procedures that doctors may use in order to try and determine whether a patient has the disease.
The testing procedure will start with imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans or MRI scans. This will enable the doctor to view the potentially affected area and make a preliminary diagnosis and decide upon the best course of action. The doctor may then use a needle to remove fluid from the affected area and conduct tests to see whether there are any malignant cells present. However, this test is widely thought of as inconclusive and many doctors prefer to follow it up with a tissue biopsy whether or not malignant cells are present.
There are several ways in which the doctor can perform a tissue biopsy in order to test for mesothelioma. A thoracoscopy or laparoscopy entails making a small incision and using a tiny camera to look at the affected area. At this time a small tissue sample can be taken, which is then examined by a pathologist for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor may decide to do a needle biopsy, where a hollow needle is inserted through the skin and into the chest cavity. The doctor is able to collect a tissue sample with the needle, and this is then examined by the pathologist.
However, most physicians prefer to use an open biopsy as this allows for the collection of a bigger tissue sample making diagnosis easier and more accurate. Once the tissue samples have been collected, a detailed examination of the cells is performed to check for malignant cells in the tissue. Once a diagnosis has been made, further scans may be required to learn the extent of the disease and prescribe treatment.
If you have worked with or had contact with asbestos at any time in your life, it is important that you let your doctor know. The difficulty in diagnosing mesothelioma means that you doctor may put your symptoms down to any number of diseases before testing for mesothelioma. However, if you have already made it known that you have worked with asbestos, it will give the doctor a head start in making a diagnosis. This means that test can be carried out far earlier and the necessary treatment can be prescribed.
