Mesothelioma Diagnosis

A mesothelioma diagnosis is made by reviewing your medical history, which includes your exposure to asbestos, a complete physical examination, followed by x-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, PET imaging, peritoneoscopy, thoracoscopy, and/or a biopsy.

Your physician will determine which of these diagnostic tools are necessary to confirm the suspected mesothelioma diagnosis. Let's have a look at each of these.

X-Ray

A chest x-ray will show fluid buildup, called pleural effusion, either on the left side or right side. Sometimes an x-ray will even pick up a mass. Other non-cancerous disease may also show on an x-ray.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

AN MRI is used to determine the size of a tumor before any aggressive treatments are begun. What's powerful about an MRI is the ability to provide multiple planes of the image making it easier to identify tumors. The results of an MRI are also more accurate than those of a CT scan.

CT Scans

A CT scan can pick up pleural effusion, pleural calcification, pleural thickening, chest wall invasion, and thickening of interlobular fissures. However, a CT can't pick up between non-cancerous and cancerous asbestos related disease.

PET Imaging

Today, PET scans are an important tool in mesothelioma diagnosis, although they are considerably more expensive than other tools and are not always covered by insurance.

Peritoneoscopy

When peritoneal mesothelioma is the suspected diagnosis your physician can use a peritoneoscopy, a special tool that is inserted into a small opening in the abdomen. This test can be done with a local anesthetic in the hospital. If there is fluid collecting in the abdomen, your physician may drain it using a procedure called paracentesis.

Thoracoscopy

When your physician believes you have pleural mesothelioma a thoracoscopy is often done, which involves a cut to the chest wall where the thoracoscope is inserted. This test can be done with a local anesthetic in the hospital. If there is fluid collecting in the chest, your physician may drain it using a procedure called thoracentesis.

Biopsy

If your physician has found abnormal tissue he or she will cut out a small piece of the tissue so it can be looked at under a microscope. This is usually done during a peritoneoscopy or thoracoscopy, but it can also be done during surgery.

When your physician believes a mesothelioma diagnosis is a real possibility he or she will conduct any or all of the tests listed to confirm that diagnosis.

When you receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma, it can be overwhelming - physically, emotionally, and financially. Call our mesothelioma attorney so we can seek compensation on your behalf.