Lung Cancer Early Diagnosis, Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is diagnosed by pathological examination.

Diagnosis of mesothelioma calls for careful assessment of clinical and radiological findings, and in some cases, a confirming tissue biopsy. A careful review of the patient's medical history, escpecially any incidents of asbestos exposure are considered.

In most cases, a complete physical, chest or abdomen x-rays, and lung function assessment tests are required. A CT scan or MRI may also be ordered. In case of a doubt or a set of preliminary tests suggestive of mesothelioma; a biopsy is usually ordered to confirm or rule out mesothelioma.

A pathologist examines the tissues removed from the patient under a microscope and makes a definitive diagnosis. The doctor may then order an x-ray or a CT scan of the chest or abdomen. If further examination is warranted, one or more of the following tests may also be ordered:

Thoracoscopy:

A doctor may have a look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope. A small cut is usually made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope probe is then guided into the chest between two ribs. This test is usually done in a hospital hostital setting.

Peritoneoscopy:

In case of peritoneal mesothelioma, if necessary, examination of patient's abdomen is made using a special disgnostic probe called a peritoneoscope. The peritoneoscope is inserted through an opening made in the abdomen, and a doctor visually examines the abdomen. This test too is carried out in a hospital setting.

Biopsy:

If abnormal tissue is found, a small tissue is retrived for further exaination under a microscope. Usually, the biopsy is done, if warranted, during the thoracoscopy or peritoneoscopy.

If a diagnosis of mesothelioma is confirmed, some times a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is also ordered to determine the stage or extent of disease.

Additional information available on: Lung Cancer Causes, Lung Cancer Risk Factors, Lung Cancer Early Signs, Lung Cancer Symptoms, Lung Cancer Early Diagnosis, Staging of Lung Cancer Tumors, Lung Cancer Treatment, Lung Cancer Vaccine, Lung Cancer Prognosis, Small Cell Lung Cancer, - SCLC, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - NSCLC, Mixed Small Cell/Large Cell Lung Cancer, Asbestos, Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer Caused by Asbestos Exposure, Pleural Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Pericardial Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Diagnosis, Mesothelioma Symptoms, Mesothelioma Treatment, Mesothelioma Drugs, Mesothelioma Surgery, Mesothelioma Chemotherapy Drugs, and Mesothelioma Radiation Therapy.

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