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Mesothelioma is a serious cancer
that advances quickly and aggressively. However the diagnosis of this type of
cancer is not usually made until it has reached an advanced stage. This is
mainly due to two reasons:
1-Mesothelioma has a very long
latency period. In a typical case, between 20 to 50 years elapse between
asbestos exposure and the onset of the first symptoms of the disease show up.
2-Most of the early and warning
symptoms are not specific to mesothelioma; they often resemble symptoms of
other conditions that are much less serious. For example, the early symptoms of
pleural mesothelioma may look like those for influenza or pneumonia, and this
can result in misdiagnosis.
The First Stages of Diagnosis
Mesothelioma patients are typically
diagnosed within three to six months of their first visit to a doctor when they
complain of breathing difficulties or chest and abdominal pain.
The first step involved in diagnosis
is providing a full and accurate medical history to your doctor, this should
include details about current and past health concerns, as well as the types of
symptoms you are currently experiencing. A mention of any exposure to asbestos
is essential. Without revealing this fact, your doctor may not consider
asbestos-related diseases in his or her diagnosis. Next, patients will undergo
a physical examination, where a doctor will examine for certain physical signs
in different areas of the body that are suggestive of the diagnosis. Most
likely, the doctor's next step will be to recommend further testing.
Diagnostic Tests
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If your doctor has good clinical
suspicion of an asbestos-related disease, he /she will then requests for
certain 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. These tests are used to actually make a
definitive diagnosis of the cancer. 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, the surgeon
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. What Should You Do After Receiving The
Diagnosis? If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, your doctor will recommend
an "oncologist" (a doctor who has specialized in the treatment of
cancers), who is well-versed in treating the disease and will help determine
the best options for treatment.
Patients should also educate
themselves about mesothelioma and treatment options and reach out to available
resources to make coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis easier.
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