/ / Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Mesothelioma Diagnosis - Mesothelioma diagnosis usually involves taking tumor imaging, recording a patient's history of asbestos exposure, and analyzing cancer tissue biopsy. This rare disease can be misinterpreted as an infection or a more common type of cancer, so diagnosing it requires a specialist.

The process of mesothelioma diagnosis usually begins with a review of a patient’s medical history followed by a physical examination.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis

If a problem is suspected, a doctor may request several diagnostic tests. These typically include medical imaging scans such as:
  • X-rays 
  • CT scans 
  • PET scans 
  • MRI scans

A combination of these tests is often used to determine the location, size and type of the cancer. Biopsy procedures are often requested following an imaging scan to test samples of fluid and tissue for the presence of cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma cancer specialists use several diagnostic tools to diagnose mesothelioma:
  • Imaging tests such as MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, X-rays
  • Biopsies to investigate cancerous growth in tissue samples

There is no clear way to diagnose mesothelioma cancer for each patient. Because this disease is rare and has common symptoms like that, doctors sometimes get confused for less serious diseases or different types of cancer.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and difficulty breathing. Peritoneal mesothelioma patients usually experience abdominal pain and distension. Anyone who has a history of exposure to occupational asbestos must remain alert to these symptoms. Report to the doctor immediately.

Important Facts about Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
  • Only a biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. 
  • Imaging scans and blood tests help identify and monitor cancer. 
  • Early stage diagnosis leads to more treatment options and a longer life span.

Disease determination involves several procedures. This may include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, PET scans and biopsies. Each of these tests is carried out by different medical professionals. Most people get their diagnosis within two or three months after they see the symptoms.

Diagnosing cancer at the earliest stages provides a broader possibility of treatment that can extend your life expectancy. It is very important that you find an expert who understands the different stages of mesothelioma and can give you the best care.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

 

What Steps to Lead to Mesothelioma Diagnosis?

There are three steps to diagnosis of mesothelioma:
  • Symptoms Start Indicating: The patient detects symptoms of mesothelioma, which often resembles the symptoms of other diseases. Symptoms develop when the cancer reaches the next stage of development, usually stage 3 or 4. 
  • Patients Consult Primary Care Doctors: Primary care physicians discuss symptoms with patients. These doctors perform initial tests. If cancer is suspected, they refer the patient to an oncologist. 
  • Oncologists make a final diagnosis: Oncologists carry out various tests based on the patient's health. Tests may include scan imaging, blood tests and biopsies to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. 

The doctor starts the diagnostic process by asking about your medical history and by carrying out some standard physical examinations. They must ask if you remember any personal past exposure to asbestos.

Providing your doctor with a comprehensive work history is important for the diagnostic process. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer with nonspecific symptoms. Doctors may not suspect illness unless a patient explains previous work where asbestos exposure may have occurred.

Next, the doctor will order an imaging test to identify abnormal growth. If they show a suspicious mass that looks like mesothelioma, the doctor will ask for a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. They will take fluid and tissue samples during a biopsy.

During this process, you will see several doctors. Patients usually visit general practitioners, pulmonologists, radiologists, surgeons, pathologists, and oncologists. If there is a doctor who suspects mesothelioma or other asbestos disease, it is a sign for the patient to get a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist, an expert who has the experience of staging cancer and caring for people who have it.

Doctors who specialize in mesothelioma have dedicated the time needed to understand the ins and outs of diagnosing and treating this disease. They have studied under other mesothelioma experts, conducted clinical research and supervised clinical trials. They also work with more mesothelioma patients than the average cancer doctor.

Cancer centers that specialize in mesothelioma staff team of doctors who are experts in subspecialty diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. This sub-specialty includes pathological, surgical and radiological oncology. Pathologists at these centers have more experience diagnosing mesothelioma than most in the US. These doctors learn from each other. They work together to provide each patient with individual care.


Timeline for Diagnosing Mesothelioma

The timeline for diagnosing mesothelioma varies from patient to patient. This is based on symptoms, the experience of the doctor with the disease, the type of test needed to ascertain the disease and the time to wait for the test results.

The following are possible, and general, chronological explanations for the long process of diagnosing mesothelioma:

Day 1:
Initial symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain often occur. Usually not diagnosed at the time, but the doctor may order X-rays.

Day 2:
X-rays determine the fluid in the lungs can become pneumonia.

Day 3-Day 13:
Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat pneumonia (10-day treatment) or drain fluid into the pleural cavity. No cancer cells are detected in the liquid.

Day 14:
X-rays after treatment show clean lungs. The doctor ordered X-rays follow-up and asked the patient to return in 30 days.

Day 44:
X-ray follow-up shows fluid buildup in the pleural cavity again. Doctors drain fluid, which may again test negative for cancer cells, or treat pneumonia with antibiotics again (add 10 days). The doctor ordered PET scan and CT scan.

Day 54:
Imaging scans show possible causes or recurrent pneumonia. The patient is referred to the surgeon to make an appointment, which can take up to 15 days.

69th day:
The surgeon schedules a biopsy appointment, which can take up to 10 days.

Day 79:
The surgeon takes a biopsy, usually done through VATS (a procedure that uses a thin optical fiber tube to enter the chest cavity and take a biopsy sample). This usually requires three days of treatment at the hospital for patients. Laboratory work to ensure mesothelioma can take up to 10 days if the surgeon sends a biopsy to an outside laboratory.

Day 89:
(About three months later): Mesothelioma is confirmed if a positive biopsy test for this disease.


The First Diagnostic Appointment

Most patients make an appointment with their general physician several weeks or months after they first notice something wrong with their health. They might be experiencing abdominal or chest pain. Other times they have an unexplained acute shortness of breath or have trouble catching their breath after light exertion.


Prepare For Your First Appointment
  • Assemble all necessary documents, including insurance cards and ID.
  • Make a mental note to discuss any asbestos exposure you may have experienced, including length, time and location of exposure.
  • Plan to spend between 30 minutes and one hour at the doctor’s office.

This initial consultation often includes:
  • Medical History Review
  • Occupational History Review
  • Basic Physical Exam
  • Discussion of Symptoms

If you have a history of asbestos exposure, you will want to bring a summary of your work history and any documentation of your asbestos exposure. This information will help your doctor understand why you may be at risk of an asbestos-related cancer.

It’s impossible for someone to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis at their first consultation because of the biopsy testing required to detect cancerous mesothelioma cells. It won’t be the first disease that comes to mind for a primary care doctor or even for an oncologist. Some physicians may suggest pulmonary function tests, which measure how well your lungs are working. Chances are the general practitioner will send you to a specialist for more tests: Imaging scans or biopsies.


Testing for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma testing is a long and complicated process. It usually involves several cancer specialists and a series of diagnostic tools. The most widely used tests include imaging scans, biopsies and blood tests.

Imaging scans help doctors visualize abnormal growths in tissues and organs. Some show areas with high metabolic activity, suggesting cancer may be present. This scan helps identify where biopsy samples must be collected, and if cancer is suspected, various blood tests can be ordered.

The most accurate test for confirming a diagnosis is a biopsy. This is a procedure where the doctor removes a fluid or tissue sample and studies it under a microscope. Researchers are also exploring various blood tests for substances that indicate mesothelioma. However, at present there is nothing accurate enough to confirm the diagnosis itself.

Imaging Test

Oncologists use imaging tests to check for signs of visible tumor. The diagnosis of mesothelioma relies on a series of diagnostic imaging tests, including:

X-ray
Produces basic images of solid areas, such as tumors, in the body

CT Scans
Use electromagnetic images to make detailed images of internal structures

MRI
Produce images of internal structures that are very active using magnets and radio waves

PET Scans
Highlight areas of the body that have high metabolic activity with the potential for cancer

CT scan is the first choice for most doctors. The "gold standard" for imaging mesothelioma is a combination of CT-PET. However, many mesothelioma tumors are seen by chance. This occurs when doctors use other types of scanning to identify unknown conditions.

With the results of this scan, the doctor can get a detailed view in the body. This gives them a better idea of ​​whether suspicious growth is cancerous or non-cancerous.

If you are scheduled for diagnostic imaging scanning:
  • Collect the same personal documents that you collected for your first diagnostic appointment. 
  • Plan for an appointment one to two hours. 
  • Follow the pre-scanning guidelines, such as fasting from food or water, provided by your doctor. 
  • Examine relaxation techniques if you are nervous about being on a closed scanner. 
  • Plan to hear results from your doctor in one to two weeks after appointment.

A doctor can order a biopsy to confirm specific information if a scan reveals a mass on a part of the body (pleura, peritoneum or pericardium) where mesothelioma tumor usually develops.


Biopsies

A biopsy is a small fluid or tissue sample that the doctor sends to the laboratory for evaluation during testing for mesothelioma. These tests can reveal whether a growth is cancerous, where the cancer in the body comes from and what type of cell is involved. The location of cancer and cell type plays a major role when it comes to planning mesothelioma treatment.

Doctors can take biopsy samples in several different ways:
Fine-Needle Aspiration

Extract cells through thin, hollow needles and syringes.

Thoracoscopy
Bring a sample with a tube equipped with a camera that the doctor inserted through the chest wall.
Mediastinoscop
Mediastinoscopies are similar to thoracoscopy, unless the doctor inserts a tube through an incision in the neck.

Thoracoscopy is considered the most accurate diagnostic biopsy for mesothelioma. This method allows the doctor to look into the pleural cavity and take a high-quality biopsy sample. This can produce an accurate diagnosis for up to 98 percent of mesothelioma patients.


Blood test

Researchers have spent a lot of time developing mesothelioma blood tests. These tests analyze your blood for protein and other substances (biomarkers). Early studies suggest this blood test has the potential to play a role in testing for mesothelioma. They are not reliable enough to confirm the diagnosis themselves.

MESOMARK

The FDA-approved MESOMARK test can detect dissolved mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP). SMRP is a protein biomarker and mesothelioma. Extensive research shows that SMRP is very helpful for monitoring tumor response to treatment, but cannot definitively diagnose mesothelioma. Too many false positives were recorded and some cases of cancer were not detected using MESOMARK. Potential tests to screen mesothelioma among people exposed to asbestos are also questionable. One study found it helped identify people at risk for mesothelioma and other studies did not.

SOMAMER

The SOMAMER test can detect more than 1,000 proteins in blood serum. These proteins may have diagnostic value in identifying mesothelioma. A 2012 study analyzed blood serum samples from 117 cases of malignant mesothelioma and 142 people exposed to asbestos. This sample detects 13 protein biomarkers that help accurately identify malignant mesothelioma.

This test accurately detects malignant mesothelioma in 90 percent of cases and excludes cancer in 95 percent of people without cancer. The level of biomarkers correlates with the stage of cancer. This shows the test may have value in monitoring the development of mesothelioma. Further analysis of more mesothelioma cases is needed to validate the SOMAmer test scores.

MPF human

The Human MPF ​​test measures a protein called megakaryocyte potentiation factor (MPF). MPF is produced by mesothelin precursor protein. MPF levels increase when mesothelioma tumors grow and are detected in about 91 percent of end-stage patients. This test can get rid of mesothelioma in 95 percent of people who do not have cancer. But, accurately identifying cancer is only 64 percent of people with mesothelioma. This test is not sensitive enough to help diagnose. This can help doctors monitor cancer progression and response to treatment.

Researchers continue to refine these tests to diagnose mesothelioma. They can still play a role in tracking how mesothelioma develops in patients


Mesothelioma staging

Diagnostic tools used before surgery help doctors estimate the stage of cancer development, which is called clinical staging. These tools are sophisticated, but directly examining the body through surgery is the most accurate way to determine the stage of cancer.

Imaging tests are the most non-invasive tool doctors have to estimate growth and spread, or stage, mesothelioma cancer. The images created by the scan provide a view of the inside of the body that shows where the tumor is growing. Radiologists use these images to identify how far the cancer has spread and then establish a stage based on what they see.

For example, if the image shows a small tumor growth in a small area in one lung, the cancer can be in stage 1 or 2. If the image shows the tumor spreads widely throughout the lungs, diaphragm and possibly to the stomach, cancer is likely in stage 4 .

Some minimally invasive diagnostic techniques are used to estimate stages such as thoracoscopy or mediastinoscopy. They can help determine whether the cancer has spread beyond the pleural layer or to the lymph nodes.

However, surgery is the most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma. Unfortunately, surgery is an invasive procedure and cannot be performed on patients who are in poor health or have end-stage mesothelioma. Imaging scans work well enough to identify the spread of end-stage tumors. This prevents the patient from surgery because the cancer has progressed to the point that the surgical removal becomes life-threatening.

A 2012 study analyzing more than 3,000 cases of pleural mesothelioma was reported in staging mismatches based on clinical versus surgical staging. This shows the most accurate clinical staging for stages 3 and 4 of the case. About 80 percent of patients with clinical stage 1 cancer are found to have more advanced disease after surgery, known as upstaging. About 65 percent of patients with stage 2 clinical mesothelioma are defeated, but only 20 percent with stage 3 and none with stage 4 are defeated.


Misdiagnosis

Sometimes mesothelioma is misdiagnosed as a less serious disease or other cancer. Early symptoms of mesothelioma can resemble other conditions such as pneumonia or irritable bowel syndrome. It is common for cancer to be misdiagnosed as a non-kidney condition.

Initial misdiagnosis is common for people who have mesothelioma. When cancer develops and more serious symptoms develop, testing progresses to be guaranteed. Advanced testing leads to an accurate diagnosis.

However, mesothelioma can also be misdiagnosed as another form of cancer. This is most often misdiagnosed as a form of lung cancer that develops in the mucous secreting glands called adenocarcinoma. Pathologists are professionals who analyze tumor biopsy samples. If they are inexperienced by distinguishing mesothelioma from other cancers, misdiagnosis can occur.

Working with a cancer center that specializes in mesothelioma can confirm or reject the diagnosis. Professionals working in cancer centers have the experience needed to diagnose the disease accurately.


After diagnosis of mesothelioma

The next step after the diagnosis of mesothelioma for many people is the second opinion. Choosing a cancer center that specializes in mesothelioma can confirm the diagnosis and give you access to innovative therapies and clinical trials.

After diagnosis of mesothelioma, make sure you learn the types of mesothelioma and therapies that can help you live longer. The more you know, the more ready you feel.

Discuss your treatment plan in detail with your health care team. Comprehensive communication will help you feel more comfortable and safe with the plan. Ask about complementary therapies that can help with side effects. For example, acupressure can help overcome nausea due to chemotherapy.

Trust whatever medicine or supplement you use. They can interfere with treatment.

Always ask your health care team or a patient advocate about financial assistance options such as travel grants. And don't forget to contact family, friends and health professionals to get support.

Building a mesothelioma support network will help you and your loved ones overcome this cancer.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma Diagnosis - Mesothelioma diagnosis usually involves taking tumor imaging, recording a patient's history of asbestos exposure, and analyzing cancer tissue biopsy. This rare disease can be misinterpreted as an infection or a more common type of cancer, so diagnosing it requires a specialist.

The process of mesothelioma diagnosis usually begins with a review of a patient’s medical history followed by a physical examination.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis

If a problem is suspected, a doctor may request several diagnostic tests. These typically include medical imaging scans such as:
  • X-rays 
  • CT scans 
  • PET scans 
  • MRI scans

A combination of these tests is often used to determine the location, size and type of the cancer. Biopsy procedures are often requested following an imaging scan to test samples of fluid and tissue for the presence of cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma cancer specialists use several diagnostic tools to diagnose mesothelioma:
  • Imaging tests such as MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, X-rays
  • Biopsies to investigate cancerous growth in tissue samples

There is no clear way to diagnose mesothelioma cancer for each patient. Because this disease is rare and has common symptoms like that, doctors sometimes get confused for less serious diseases or different types of cancer.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and difficulty breathing. Peritoneal mesothelioma patients usually experience abdominal pain and distension. Anyone who has a history of exposure to occupational asbestos must remain alert to these symptoms. Report to the doctor immediately.

Important Facts about Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
  • Only a biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. 
  • Imaging scans and blood tests help identify and monitor cancer. 
  • Early stage diagnosis leads to more treatment options and a longer life span.

Disease determination involves several procedures. This may include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, PET scans and biopsies. Each of these tests is carried out by different medical professionals. Most people get their diagnosis within two or three months after they see the symptoms.

Diagnosing cancer at the earliest stages provides a broader possibility of treatment that can extend your life expectancy. It is very important that you find an expert who understands the different stages of mesothelioma and can give you the best care.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

 

What Steps to Lead to Mesothelioma Diagnosis?

There are three steps to diagnosis of mesothelioma:
  • Symptoms Start Indicating: The patient detects symptoms of mesothelioma, which often resembles the symptoms of other diseases. Symptoms develop when the cancer reaches the next stage of development, usually stage 3 or 4. 
  • Patients Consult Primary Care Doctors: Primary care physicians discuss symptoms with patients. These doctors perform initial tests. If cancer is suspected, they refer the patient to an oncologist. 
  • Oncologists make a final diagnosis: Oncologists carry out various tests based on the patient's health. Tests may include scan imaging, blood tests and biopsies to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. 

The doctor starts the diagnostic process by asking about your medical history and by carrying out some standard physical examinations. They must ask if you remember any personal past exposure to asbestos.

Providing your doctor with a comprehensive work history is important for the diagnostic process. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer with nonspecific symptoms. Doctors may not suspect illness unless a patient explains previous work where asbestos exposure may have occurred.

Next, the doctor will order an imaging test to identify abnormal growth. If they show a suspicious mass that looks like mesothelioma, the doctor will ask for a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. They will take fluid and tissue samples during a biopsy.

During this process, you will see several doctors. Patients usually visit general practitioners, pulmonologists, radiologists, surgeons, pathologists, and oncologists. If there is a doctor who suspects mesothelioma or other asbestos disease, it is a sign for the patient to get a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist, an expert who has the experience of staging cancer and caring for people who have it.

Doctors who specialize in mesothelioma have dedicated the time needed to understand the ins and outs of diagnosing and treating this disease. They have studied under other mesothelioma experts, conducted clinical research and supervised clinical trials. They also work with more mesothelioma patients than the average cancer doctor.

Cancer centers that specialize in mesothelioma staff team of doctors who are experts in subspecialty diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. This sub-specialty includes pathological, surgical and radiological oncology. Pathologists at these centers have more experience diagnosing mesothelioma than most in the US. These doctors learn from each other. They work together to provide each patient with individual care.


Timeline for Diagnosing Mesothelioma

The timeline for diagnosing mesothelioma varies from patient to patient. This is based on symptoms, the experience of the doctor with the disease, the type of test needed to ascertain the disease and the time to wait for the test results.

The following are possible, and general, chronological explanations for the long process of diagnosing mesothelioma:

Day 1:
Initial symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain often occur. Usually not diagnosed at the time, but the doctor may order X-rays.

Day 2:
X-rays determine the fluid in the lungs can become pneumonia.

Day 3-Day 13:
Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat pneumonia (10-day treatment) or drain fluid into the pleural cavity. No cancer cells are detected in the liquid.

Day 14:
X-rays after treatment show clean lungs. The doctor ordered X-rays follow-up and asked the patient to return in 30 days.

Day 44:
X-ray follow-up shows fluid buildup in the pleural cavity again. Doctors drain fluid, which may again test negative for cancer cells, or treat pneumonia with antibiotics again (add 10 days). The doctor ordered PET scan and CT scan.

Day 54:
Imaging scans show possible causes or recurrent pneumonia. The patient is referred to the surgeon to make an appointment, which can take up to 15 days.

69th day:
The surgeon schedules a biopsy appointment, which can take up to 10 days.

Day 79:
The surgeon takes a biopsy, usually done through VATS (a procedure that uses a thin optical fiber tube to enter the chest cavity and take a biopsy sample). This usually requires three days of treatment at the hospital for patients. Laboratory work to ensure mesothelioma can take up to 10 days if the surgeon sends a biopsy to an outside laboratory.

Day 89:
(About three months later): Mesothelioma is confirmed if a positive biopsy test for this disease.


The First Diagnostic Appointment

Most patients make an appointment with their general physician several weeks or months after they first notice something wrong with their health. They might be experiencing abdominal or chest pain. Other times they have an unexplained acute shortness of breath or have trouble catching their breath after light exertion.


Prepare For Your First Appointment
  • Assemble all necessary documents, including insurance cards and ID.
  • Make a mental note to discuss any asbestos exposure you may have experienced, including length, time and location of exposure.
  • Plan to spend between 30 minutes and one hour at the doctor’s office.

This initial consultation often includes:
  • Medical History Review
  • Occupational History Review
  • Basic Physical Exam
  • Discussion of Symptoms

If you have a history of asbestos exposure, you will want to bring a summary of your work history and any documentation of your asbestos exposure. This information will help your doctor understand why you may be at risk of an asbestos-related cancer.

It’s impossible for someone to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis at their first consultation because of the biopsy testing required to detect cancerous mesothelioma cells. It won’t be the first disease that comes to mind for a primary care doctor or even for an oncologist. Some physicians may suggest pulmonary function tests, which measure how well your lungs are working. Chances are the general practitioner will send you to a specialist for more tests: Imaging scans or biopsies.


Testing for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma testing is a long and complicated process. It usually involves several cancer specialists and a series of diagnostic tools. The most widely used tests include imaging scans, biopsies and blood tests.

Imaging scans help doctors visualize abnormal growths in tissues and organs. Some show areas with high metabolic activity, suggesting cancer may be present. This scan helps identify where biopsy samples must be collected, and if cancer is suspected, various blood tests can be ordered.

The most accurate test for confirming a diagnosis is a biopsy. This is a procedure where the doctor removes a fluid or tissue sample and studies it under a microscope. Researchers are also exploring various blood tests for substances that indicate mesothelioma. However, at present there is nothing accurate enough to confirm the diagnosis itself.

Imaging Test

Oncologists use imaging tests to check for signs of visible tumor. The diagnosis of mesothelioma relies on a series of diagnostic imaging tests, including:

X-ray
Produces basic images of solid areas, such as tumors, in the body

CT Scans
Use electromagnetic images to make detailed images of internal structures

MRI
Produce images of internal structures that are very active using magnets and radio waves

PET Scans
Highlight areas of the body that have high metabolic activity with the potential for cancer

CT scan is the first choice for most doctors. The "gold standard" for imaging mesothelioma is a combination of CT-PET. However, many mesothelioma tumors are seen by chance. This occurs when doctors use other types of scanning to identify unknown conditions.

With the results of this scan, the doctor can get a detailed view in the body. This gives them a better idea of ​​whether suspicious growth is cancerous or non-cancerous.

If you are scheduled for diagnostic imaging scanning:
  • Collect the same personal documents that you collected for your first diagnostic appointment. 
  • Plan for an appointment one to two hours. 
  • Follow the pre-scanning guidelines, such as fasting from food or water, provided by your doctor. 
  • Examine relaxation techniques if you are nervous about being on a closed scanner. 
  • Plan to hear results from your doctor in one to two weeks after appointment.

A doctor can order a biopsy to confirm specific information if a scan reveals a mass on a part of the body (pleura, peritoneum or pericardium) where mesothelioma tumor usually develops.


Biopsies

A biopsy is a small fluid or tissue sample that the doctor sends to the laboratory for evaluation during testing for mesothelioma. These tests can reveal whether a growth is cancerous, where the cancer in the body comes from and what type of cell is involved. The location of cancer and cell type plays a major role when it comes to planning mesothelioma treatment.

Doctors can take biopsy samples in several different ways:
Fine-Needle Aspiration

Extract cells through thin, hollow needles and syringes.

Thoracoscopy
Bring a sample with a tube equipped with a camera that the doctor inserted through the chest wall.
Mediastinoscop
Mediastinoscopies are similar to thoracoscopy, unless the doctor inserts a tube through an incision in the neck.

Thoracoscopy is considered the most accurate diagnostic biopsy for mesothelioma. This method allows the doctor to look into the pleural cavity and take a high-quality biopsy sample. This can produce an accurate diagnosis for up to 98 percent of mesothelioma patients.


Blood test

Researchers have spent a lot of time developing mesothelioma blood tests. These tests analyze your blood for protein and other substances (biomarkers). Early studies suggest this blood test has the potential to play a role in testing for mesothelioma. They are not reliable enough to confirm the diagnosis themselves.

MESOMARK

The FDA-approved MESOMARK test can detect dissolved mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP). SMRP is a protein biomarker and mesothelioma. Extensive research shows that SMRP is very helpful for monitoring tumor response to treatment, but cannot definitively diagnose mesothelioma. Too many false positives were recorded and some cases of cancer were not detected using MESOMARK. Potential tests to screen mesothelioma among people exposed to asbestos are also questionable. One study found it helped identify people at risk for mesothelioma and other studies did not.

SOMAMER

The SOMAMER test can detect more than 1,000 proteins in blood serum. These proteins may have diagnostic value in identifying mesothelioma. A 2012 study analyzed blood serum samples from 117 cases of malignant mesothelioma and 142 people exposed to asbestos. This sample detects 13 protein biomarkers that help accurately identify malignant mesothelioma.

This test accurately detects malignant mesothelioma in 90 percent of cases and excludes cancer in 95 percent of people without cancer. The level of biomarkers correlates with the stage of cancer. This shows the test may have value in monitoring the development of mesothelioma. Further analysis of more mesothelioma cases is needed to validate the SOMAmer test scores.

MPF human

The Human MPF ​​test measures a protein called megakaryocyte potentiation factor (MPF). MPF is produced by mesothelin precursor protein. MPF levels increase when mesothelioma tumors grow and are detected in about 91 percent of end-stage patients. This test can get rid of mesothelioma in 95 percent of people who do not have cancer. But, accurately identifying cancer is only 64 percent of people with mesothelioma. This test is not sensitive enough to help diagnose. This can help doctors monitor cancer progression and response to treatment.

Researchers continue to refine these tests to diagnose mesothelioma. They can still play a role in tracking how mesothelioma develops in patients


Mesothelioma staging

Diagnostic tools used before surgery help doctors estimate the stage of cancer development, which is called clinical staging. These tools are sophisticated, but directly examining the body through surgery is the most accurate way to determine the stage of cancer.

Imaging tests are the most non-invasive tool doctors have to estimate growth and spread, or stage, mesothelioma cancer. The images created by the scan provide a view of the inside of the body that shows where the tumor is growing. Radiologists use these images to identify how far the cancer has spread and then establish a stage based on what they see.

For example, if the image shows a small tumor growth in a small area in one lung, the cancer can be in stage 1 or 2. If the image shows the tumor spreads widely throughout the lungs, diaphragm and possibly to the stomach, cancer is likely in stage 4 .

Some minimally invasive diagnostic techniques are used to estimate stages such as thoracoscopy or mediastinoscopy. They can help determine whether the cancer has spread beyond the pleural layer or to the lymph nodes.

However, surgery is the most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma. Unfortunately, surgery is an invasive procedure and cannot be performed on patients who are in poor health or have end-stage mesothelioma. Imaging scans work well enough to identify the spread of end-stage tumors. This prevents the patient from surgery because the cancer has progressed to the point that the surgical removal becomes life-threatening.

A 2012 study analyzing more than 3,000 cases of pleural mesothelioma was reported in staging mismatches based on clinical versus surgical staging. This shows the most accurate clinical staging for stages 3 and 4 of the case. About 80 percent of patients with clinical stage 1 cancer are found to have more advanced disease after surgery, known as upstaging. About 65 percent of patients with stage 2 clinical mesothelioma are defeated, but only 20 percent with stage 3 and none with stage 4 are defeated.


Misdiagnosis

Sometimes mesothelioma is misdiagnosed as a less serious disease or other cancer. Early symptoms of mesothelioma can resemble other conditions such as pneumonia or irritable bowel syndrome. It is common for cancer to be misdiagnosed as a non-kidney condition.

Initial misdiagnosis is common for people who have mesothelioma. When cancer develops and more serious symptoms develop, testing progresses to be guaranteed. Advanced testing leads to an accurate diagnosis.

However, mesothelioma can also be misdiagnosed as another form of cancer. This is most often misdiagnosed as a form of lung cancer that develops in the mucous secreting glands called adenocarcinoma. Pathologists are professionals who analyze tumor biopsy samples. If they are inexperienced by distinguishing mesothelioma from other cancers, misdiagnosis can occur.

Working with a cancer center that specializes in mesothelioma can confirm or reject the diagnosis. Professionals working in cancer centers have the experience needed to diagnose the disease accurately.


After diagnosis of mesothelioma

The next step after the diagnosis of mesothelioma for many people is the second opinion. Choosing a cancer center that specializes in mesothelioma can confirm the diagnosis and give you access to innovative therapies and clinical trials.

After diagnosis of mesothelioma, make sure you learn the types of mesothelioma and therapies that can help you live longer. The more you know, the more ready you feel.

Discuss your treatment plan in detail with your health care team. Comprehensive communication will help you feel more comfortable and safe with the plan. Ask about complementary therapies that can help with side effects. For example, acupressure can help overcome nausea due to chemotherapy.

Trust whatever medicine or supplement you use. They can interfere with treatment.

Always ask your health care team or a patient advocate about financial assistance options such as travel grants. And don't forget to contact family, friends and health professionals to get support.

Building a mesothelioma support network will help you and your loved ones overcome this cancer.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis