Mesothelioma diagnosis is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. If the patient have a history of being exposed to asbestos, chances are high that the person has mesothelioma.After the review of the person’s medical history, a physical examination will be executed.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma will require a review of the patient’s medical history, including past history of asbestos exposure. The patient shall be subjected to various exams like x-ray, lung function tests, CT scan, MRI, aspiration of chest fluid like pleural tap or chest drain. The X-ray may reveal pleural thickening commonly seen after asbestos exposure and increases suspicion of mesothelioma. Pleural thickening is thickening of the linings of the lungs and can cause symptoms of breathlessness and pain. These steps are generally followed by a chest or abdominal x-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
When you visit your physician for a diagnosis, he or she will most likely order an immediate chest or abdominal x-ray, CT Scan, or MRI. If a large amount of fluid is present, abnormal cells may be detected by cytology if this fluid is aspirated with a syringe. Cytology and biopsy can also detect the presence of abnormal cells and fluids in the lungs. Bone pain and abnormal liver or brain function may result.The absence of symptoms does not necessarily indicate early disease, and the presence of non-specific chest symptoms can often go unheeded. In the event of a positive cytology report, the physician recommends a biopsy.
In spite of such modern techniques, a definitive diagnosis of mesothelioma still remains possible through fluid diagnosis and tissue biopsy. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. A laparoscopy is similar to thoroscopy but the procedure is performed in the abdominal cavity instead of the chest. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage and extent of the disease.