Mesothelioma. Diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma. Diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Identifying early symptoms of mesothelioma can be assisted diagnosis. The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath (dyspnea) and / or chest pain, fever, nausea and anemia, other signals are
hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), or coughing blood (hemoptysis).

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult because of the similarity of symptoms to those of other diseases. Before the doctor conducts a complete preliminary medical examination, he will first review the patient's medical history and other general information, such as patient health status including history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. The doctor may also carryout one CT (computed tomagraphy) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or positron emission tomography (PET Scan). If one of these preliminary tests indicate the presence of mesothelioma, A biopsy is performed to confirm this diagnosis.

Chest X-Ray
This may show irregular thickening of the pleura, calcium deposits on the pleura or fluid in the pleural space. These results indicate asbestos exposure leading to the development of mesothelioma.

Calculated Tomagraphy (CT scan)
A CT scan is a special imaging technique that produces a clear series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This enabled the radiologist to see different aspects of the lung or pleura, which are not evident from the standard x-ray image.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
MRI scan uses a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to build detailed pictures of areas inside the body. Different body tissues were taken and later published in a specific pattern. The computer will be translated into the different models detailed image of body parts.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan):
To perform these, radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. The reason for the injection of glucose is because the use of cancer sugar faster than normal tissues. When cancerous tissue takes radioactive material scanner can spot the radioactive deposits. This test is useful for telling whether thickening of the tissue is cancer or just scar tissue. It can also place the spread of cancer.

With instruction from preliminary tests, A biopsy is performed to confirm the present of mesothelioma. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located.

Thoracoscopy
If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs and obtain tissue samples for research.

Peritoneoscopy
If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small incision in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called peritoneoscope the abdomen.

Laparoscopy
laparoscopy can be used to obtain a biopsy of peritoneal tumor. A flexible tube connected to a video camera into the abdomen through small cut on the front of the abdomen and fluid collected.

Bronchoscopy
The doctor may use bronchoscopy for pleural mesothelioma cases. In this procedure, a flexible lighted tube is inserted through the mouth, down the trachea and bronchial tubes to examine tumors. Samples of abnormal tissue present on how they can be removed for testing.

Mediastinoscopy
In this procedure, lighted tube inserted under the chest bone (sternum) at the level of the neck. This lighted tube is then moved down the chest. Mediastinoscopy allows the surgeon to see the lymph nodes in this area and remove samples to check for cancer. Tests of the lymph nodes can give the doctor information about whether the cancer has begun to spread, and can help distinguish from lung cancer mesothelioma.

In some cases, the electron microscope is used to look at cells in great detail. Additional research is to find out if cancer cells invaded other tissues as well. This is known as a stop. Stopping involves more tests in order to assist in determining treatment for the patient.