The diagnosis of mesothelioma usually occurs six months after the patient first visited his doctor complaining of shortness of breath or pain in the chest or abdomen. The first step is to build a good complete clinical history that will include all the ailments presented up to that moment, the present diseases and a detailed description of the symptoms that the patient currently presents.
At this stage it is essential to mention any exposure to asbestos in the past. If the doctor is aware of this exposure, you can be sure to consider the possibility that you are facing a disease related to asbestos, which can certainly anticipate the diagnosis.
The doctor will do a complete medical examination to find the explanation and origin of the symptoms that the patient presents. Since many symptoms of mesothelioma can also indicate other diseases, all alternatives should be considered. Unless a definitive diagnosis can be carried out, more tests will be necessary.
Diagnostic tests for mesothelioma
If there is a suspicion of mesothelioma, the doctor will want to confirm if the disease is present, where it is located, determine the type and size of the cancer and if the disease has spread. There are different diagnostic tests that will help answer these questions and answers.
1. Initial considerations for diagnosis
The preliminary factors that should be discussed with the doctor before making the diagnosis of mesothelioma will include:
The preliminary factors that should be discussed with the doctor before making the diagnosis of mesothelioma will include:
Clinical
history: the doctor will need to talk with the patient about past and
present diseases and above all about respiratory problems. The doctor should ask the patient about the family history of the cancer and if he smokes or has smoked.
Medical recognition: the key signs that the doctor should look for include effusion or pleural mass, reduction of the expansive capacity of the chest, absence of noises when breathing, mediastinal displacement, sensitivity in localized areas and any prominent tumor.
Medical recognition: the key signs that the doctor should look for include effusion or pleural mass, reduction of the expansive capacity of the chest, absence of noises when breathing, mediastinal displacement, sensitivity in localized areas and any prominent tumor.
Previous exposure to
asbestos: The American Cancer Society has established that 80% of tumors
are caused by a previous exposure to asbestos. Most
of the exposures have occurred in work environments such as power and
chemical plants, where a multitude of men and women have been exposed to
asbestos and among which are the 25 million members of the armed
forces.
Since more than 3,000 new patients are being diagnosed annually with mesothelioma, it is imperative to make preliminary diagnostic tests to establish the case.
Since more than 3,000 new patients are being diagnosed annually with mesothelioma, it is imperative to make preliminary diagnostic tests to establish the case.
2. Tests by image
Chest x-ray: this is the first test that the doctor will normally order. Since it is not a test that by itself of an accurate forecast, other tests will be ordered.
Tomography: is similar to radiography but produces multiple images that are associated by a computer that allows you to see the tissue in great detail. In many occasions in this test a liquid is injected that creates a better contrast which allows to see the image in better detail.
Pet: cancer cells use and absorb sugars differently than healthy cells do. This allows PET to be a good way to detect them. Patients are given a glucose injection and then scanned to identify which cells absorb sugar differently
Magnetic resonance: this test creates detailed images in three dimensions that allow an experienced radiologist to identify any suspicious area. This procedure includes the use of magnetic fields and electromagnetic waves to produce the images.
3. Test with tissues and fluids
It is normal for the doctor to want to biopsy the suspicious area. This involves taking a sample of the tissue or fluid to analyze a sample of the cancer cells. There are four types of biopsy among which the doctor can choose:
Aspiration through a fine needle: mesothelioma usually causes a liquid to be created in the affected area, such as the mesothelium or the lining of the chest cavity. To carry out the aspiration the doctor will use an extremely thin and long needle that will allow him to extract a sample of the liquid.
Thoracoscopy: if the doctor wants to confirm or rule out the symptoms of a pleural or pericardial mesothelioma, he will perform this test. This test involves making a small incision in the chest wall to get a sample of the tissue.
Laparoscopy or bronchoscopy: these are two procedures that are carried out in different areas of the body. The bronchoscopy is performed to check the airways and trachea. Laparoscopy involves taking a sample of tissue from the peritoneal area.
Mediastinoscopy: This test is used to examine the lymph nodes that are located in the neck and chest, to see if the cancer has expanded from its initial location.
It is normal for the doctor to want to biopsy the suspicious area. This involves taking a sample of the tissue or fluid to analyze a sample of the cancer cells. There are four types of biopsy among which the doctor can choose:
Aspiration through a fine needle: mesothelioma usually causes a liquid to be created in the affected area, such as the mesothelium or the lining of the chest cavity. To carry out the aspiration the doctor will use an extremely thin and long needle that will allow him to extract a sample of the liquid.
Thoracoscopy: if the doctor wants to confirm or rule out the symptoms of a pleural or pericardial mesothelioma, he will perform this test. This test involves making a small incision in the chest wall to get a sample of the tissue.
Laparoscopy or bronchoscopy: these are two procedures that are carried out in different areas of the body. The bronchoscopy is performed to check the airways and trachea. Laparoscopy involves taking a sample of tissue from the peritoneal area.
Mediastinoscopy: This test is used to examine the lymph nodes that are located in the neck and chest, to see if the cancer has expanded from its initial location.
4. Blood test
Thanks to the recent steps that have taken place in the specific biomarkers in the blood, doctors can now detect mesothelioma in its early stages. It has been said, that certain biomarkers elevated in the patient's blood must necessarily mean that the cancer is present.
Mesomark test: this test determines the amount of serum mesothelin-related proteins (SMRP) in the patients' serum. Once extracted, doctors can measure the amount to determine if mesothelioma is present. The presence of SMRP in the patient's blood can be detected even in the early stages of the tumor, which gives hope for the future diagnosis of the disease.
MiRview: This diagnostic method allows doctors to differentiate malignant mesothelioma from other forms of metastatic carcinomas that affect the membranes around the lung. By means of this technique, a specific biomarker of the tumor is analyzed in a way that differentiates it from others.
Thanks to the recent steps that have taken place in the specific biomarkers in the blood, doctors can now detect mesothelioma in its early stages. It has been said, that certain biomarkers elevated in the patient's blood must necessarily mean that the cancer is present.
Mesomark test: this test determines the amount of serum mesothelin-related proteins (SMRP) in the patients' serum. Once extracted, doctors can measure the amount to determine if mesothelioma is present. The presence of SMRP in the patient's blood can be detected even in the early stages of the tumor, which gives hope for the future diagnosis of the disease.
MiRview: This diagnostic method allows doctors to differentiate malignant mesothelioma from other forms of metastatic carcinomas that affect the membranes around the lung. By means of this technique, a specific biomarker of the tumor is analyzed in a way that differentiates it from others.
5. Diagnostic codes for mesothelioma
There are standardized codes that have been assigned to the different types of mesothelioma. Normally patients do not know these codes but nevertheless it is useful to know if the doctor refers to them or the patient sees them when he reviews his history:
There are standardized codes that have been assigned to the different types of mesothelioma. Normally patients do not know these codes but nevertheless it is useful to know if the doctor refers to them or the patient sees them when he reviews his history:
- ICD-9 code 163: pleural mesothelioma
- ICD-9 code 158: peritoneal mesothelioma
- ICD-9 code 164: pericardial mesothelioma
6. After mesothelioma has been confirmed
As a first treatment, the doctor will refer the patient to an oncologist or a doctor who specializes in cancer and who has experience in treating mesothelioma. The oncologist can help determine which treatment is best in each case. In addition, patients will be encouraged to do their own research, giving information about the different treatments available so that they can then discuss it with the doctor. In addition, patients will be advised to look for sources of support to go through difficult times.
As a first treatment, the doctor will refer the patient to an oncologist or a doctor who specializes in cancer and who has experience in treating mesothelioma. The oncologist can help determine which treatment is best in each case. In addition, patients will be encouraged to do their own research, giving information about the different treatments available so that they can then discuss it with the doctor. In addition, patients will be advised to look for sources of support to go through difficult times.
7. Information about mesothelioma
Being diagnosed with this disease can be a daunting news for the patient and their loved ones. Patients can have endless questions in their heads and need answers. Sintomasmesotelioma.com has the information that gives these answers. Written by Michael Todd Sapko MD, PhD, the mesothelioma e-book gives the necessary information about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this devastating disease.
Being diagnosed with this disease can be a daunting news for the patient and their loved ones. Patients can have endless questions in their heads and need answers. Sintomasmesotelioma.com has the information that gives these answers. Written by Michael Todd Sapko MD, PhD, the mesothelioma e-book gives the necessary information about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this devastating disease.
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