Mesothelioma is a severe form of cancer one contracts primarily due to previous exposure to Asbestos. One who has had to inhale asbestos particles, be it dust or fibers (at some point in life), is at the risk of developing any one of the three different forms of Mesothelioma – Pleural, Peritoneal or Pericardial. The most ominous aspect of Mesothelioma is that the symptoms are diagnosed quite late, when the disease is in an advanced stage. Modern science, of course, has evolved different means for the proper diagnosis of Mesothelioma.
Diagnosis – An Insight
Mesothelioma is hard to diagnose as a long time gap usually separates the period of exposure to asbestos and the appearance of the symptoms. Again, the fact that the symptoms of Mesothelioma more often resemble the symptoms of other benign diseases such as pneumonia makes the diagnosis more difficult. Hence, diagnosis should essentially begin with thorough research of the patient’s medical history.
If a medical practitioner suspects Mesothelioma, one is made to go through physiological examination, which is followed by an X-ray of the chest along with certain lung function tests. After the X-ray, if the physician finds pleural thickening due to asbestos exposure and then mesothelioma is suspected.
In the next step of diagnosis, CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI is suggested. In victims with huge fluid accumulation, it becomes easy for the physician to detect the presence of the abnormal cells by cytology. This is done by aspirating the fluid with a syringe. In case of pleural fluid, the process takes place by tapping the pleura or by draining the chest in ascites with a paracentesis or ascitic drain and in a pericardial effusion with pericardiocentesis.
If, in any case, malignant cells are not found in the cytology, chances of Mesothelioma become negligible, but this does not completely rule out the possibility of having Mesothelioma. For confirmation, doctors go for alternative diagnosis of tuberculosis or heart failure.
In case, the cytology results are positive, the patient needs to go through a biopsy to confirm the presence of Mesothelioma. For this, the physician carefully removes a tissue sample so that a pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope. Biopsy for Mesothelioma can be done in several ways, but then how the biopsy is going to be done entirely depends on the location of the affected area.
Mesothelioma Cancer In The Chest
In this case, the doctor performs a thoracoscopy. As per this procedure, the doctor makes a tiny incision over the chest wall and then plants a thin, lighted tube called thoracoscope inside the chest, in between two ribs. This process is ideal for looking inside the chest and for collecting tissue samples.
Mesothelioma Cancer In The Abdomen
When Mesothelioma occurs in the abdomen, the doctor performs a laparoscopy. A tiny hole is created in the abdomen for inserting an instrument inside the abdominal cavity. The instrument can also help collect tissues. In case, the physician is unable to collect enough tissues this way, he has to perform a more intensive surgery for diagnosis of Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is quite a serious physiological problem, it calls for immediate medical attention, and only the perfect diagnosis of the condition can help the doctor recommend the ideal treatment for the condition.
