A diagnosis of mesothelioma, or asbestos caused cancer, is not easily arrived at and requires sophisticated testing techniques. Indeed, definitively arriving at a mesothelioma diagnosis can take as long as several months after the onset of early symptoms such as breathing problems and chest pain. Even with the most advanced testing techniques, it is often not easy to positively identify asbestos caused cancer. Because of the potential seriousness of the diagnosis of mesothelioma, most patients seek a second opinion, usually from a mesothelioma specialist. Here is a list of some of the most common ways by which a mesothelioma diagnosis is arrived at:
1. Reference To Specialists
When a doctor suspects mesothelioma, the first step in the diagnosis process will be to refer the patient to an oncologist or pulmonologist for an array of tests. The results of these tests and consultations with specialists will be used to determine whether to proceed to further evaluations for a mesothelioma diagnosis.
2. Patient's Medical History
Some of the best diagnostic clues for mesothelioma can be found in the patient's past medical history. Did they smoke tobacco? Does cancer run in their family? Has there been a history of respiratory issues in the patients past? An affirmative answer to any of these medical history questions indicates positive risk factors for mesothelioma.
3. Getting a Physical Examination
Despite the availability of advanced testing, there is simply no substitute for a complete medical check-up. The examination should put a special emphasis on looking for signs of pleural effusion, difficulty in chest expansion, abnormal breathing sounds, localized tenderness and tumors.
4. Previous Asbestos Exposure
If a patient knows for sure that they have been exposed to asbestos sometime in their past then that is the single most overwhelming indicator that a full battery of tests for mesothelioma need to be given. Even if the exposure was fleeting and in a low risk setting, there is simply no such thing as a completely safe level of exposure to asbestos. Imaging tests may be helpful in evaluating mesothelioma's presence in the absence of overt symptoms.
5. Biopsies
Once preliminary tests are complete, if a diagnosis of mesothelioma is still suspected then one of the most effective ways to determine the presence of mesothelioma is by doing biopsy tests. These involve collecting small tissue and body fluid samples that can be microscopically examined to see if cancer cells are present. Common techniques are thoracoscopy, which uses a long needle to extract bodily fluids, or a mediastinoscopy which obtains a tissue sample through a small chest incision. These tests generally have an accuracy rate of around ninety percent.
6. Blood Test
Mesothelioma produces biomarkers which when identified can indicate a positive diagnosis. Unfortunately the presence of such biomarkers at elevated levels do not always indicate the presence of cancer. However, the technology for diagnosing mesothelioma through blood tests is constantly evolving, with scientist predicting that one day soon it will be possible to diagnose mesothelioma before any symptoms even appear. In the meantime a blood test can still help to indicate whether more extensive testing is advisable.
The good news is that there is constant progress toward making it easier and faster to arrive at a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Considering that it is a very serious and often life threatening condition, quick and accurate diagnosis is of the utmost importance in successful treatment. The preceding techniques offer the best means now available for determining a mesothelioma diagnosis, while new and better tests and treatments are under development all the time.
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