It is often difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the symptoms of the disease are similar to those of several other conditions. To reach the diagnosis of mesothelioma, a physician must carefully assess several clinical and radiological findings as well as a confirming tissue biopsy.
It will usually take several days or longer to receive the results of diagnostic tests and biopsies to make a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis, peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis or pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis. Though it is of course difficult to wait, patients should know that their doctors are using the best tools available to reach an accurate diagnosis and that their physicians will explain the diagnosis as soon as possible. A proper diagnosis is essential for determining the best mesothelioma treatment available.
Physical Examination and History
The first step in the diagnostic process is for the doctor to get a history from the patient and to conduct a thorough physical examination. Based on the examination and the patient’s symptoms, the doctor will choose the next appropriate step
Radiological TestsRadiological tests like chest x-rays, CT scans or PET scans play a major role in the diagnosis of mesothelioma. These tests are also valuable in determining how far the disease has spread. However, a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma will also require a biopsy.
Biopsy
Although preliminary tests can provide helpful information in narrowing down a diagnosis, a final accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma requires a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure to remove tissue from the body to allow a pathologist to examine the suspected cancer under a microscope. Even though a biopsy is the most effective way to achieve an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma, malignant mesothelioma cells may appear to be some other type of cancer. To prevent any mistake, a pathologist will conduct special laboratory tests on the body-tissue obtained during the biopsy and may even use an electron microscope to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Blood Test (Mesomark)
A new blood test called Mesomark may offer the possibility of earlier diagnosis and perhaps more successful treatment for mesothelioma patients. Development of this test has been an exciting recent development in the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Staging and Other Prognostic Factors
If a diagnosis of mesothelioma is confirmed, the doctor will proceed to determine the extent of the disease – called the “stage” of the illness. Staging may require further tests to discover whether the mesothelioma has spread to other parts of the body. By determining the stage of the illness, a physician can better plot out a course of treatment.
For more information about mesothelioma diagnosis techniques, visit:
* National Cancer Institute's Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers
* American Cancer Society's Overview of Malignant Mesothelioma
* American Cancer Society's Detailed Guide to Malignant Mesothelioma
* American Cancer Society’s Key Statistics for Malignant Mesothelioma
* National Cancer Institute’s Malignant Mesothelioma Treatment (PDQ®)
* The Mayo Clinic
* The International Mesothelioma Program
* Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc. Mesomark Information
* U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Consumer Information on Mesomark
* Clinical Chemistry (2007) article, Mesomark: A Potential Test for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
* Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc.'s Press Release re NYU Study of Mesomark
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