Mesothelioma diagnosisis challenging for doctors because mesothelioma tends to be asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) until later in its development, is very uncommon in the field of lung related diseases and conditions, and shares common symptoms with a number of other conditions. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium, a protective layer of cells that lines the organs within the body cavity, including the lungs, heart, and organs within the abdomen. Each part of the mesothelium is further defined according to which part of the cavity or which organ it surrounds.Mesothelioma, cancer of the mesothelium, is also further defined according to the location at which this rare form of cancer originated.
- Pleural Mesothelioma, the most common form of mesothelioma affecting 75% of mesothelioma patients, originates in the lining of the lungs and chest wall, known as the pleura.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma, an uncommon form of the cancer, originates in the lining of the abdomen and organs within the abdomen, known as the peritoneum.
- Pericardial Mesothelioma, the rarest form of this cancer, originates in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium.
Analysis of Symptoms to Diagnose Mesothelioma
At the onset of symptoms for any condition, a medical professional must take the time to carefully examine the relevance of each symptom to the other factors in the patient’s lifestyle. A confirmed diagnosis for mesothelioma can only be achieved through a biopsy; the analysis of affected cells under a microscope. However, the number of related symptoms and a known history of asbestos exposure greatly assist in determining that a biopsy should be recommended for the patient.
Before submitting the patient to unnecessary testing, the physician will attempt to eliminate other possible causes. Fewer symptoms exhibited by the patient makes diagnosis of mesothelioma more difficult, while presenting more of the symptoms will narrow the list of other conditions that must be eliminated.
Many of the symptoms associated with other conditions are caused by tumors in mesothelioma patients. While some lucky patients are diagnosed “by accident” during imaging scans to detect another condition, a mesothelioma diagnosis is more often discovered by confirming that the cause of symptoms is related to the affects of tumors in the mesothelium.
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Mesothelioma Diagnosis through Tumor Related Symptoms |
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| General Pain | Tumors and organ failures or interruption in organ functions |
| Fever and Sweating | Particularly night sweating; caused by infection, pain, or dysfunction of organs. |
| Weight loss | Caused by pain and loss of appetite or affected organs with tumors blocking digestive passages and other organ processes. |
| Nausea and Vomiting | Caused by pain or affected organs with tumors blocking digestive passages and other organ processes. |
| Bowel Changes | Change in regularity, bowel movements; caused by blocking digestive passages and other organ processes. |
| Lumps\Bumps | Tumors just beneath the skin on the lining of the abdominal and chest walls |
| Pleurisy | Tumors occupying pleural space, causing effusion which makes breathing painful. |
| Chest Pain | Tumors applying pressure to nerves and cause effusion. |
| Dry Cough | Tumors applying pressure to esophagus or lung wall. |
| Breathlessness | Tumors cause effusion and block vessels\passageways. |
| Difficulty swallowing | Tumors apply pressure to blood vessels, causing swelling of esophagus. |
| Back Pain | Tumor applying pressure to nerves or as a result of effusion. |
| Weight Loss | Tumors can cause pain, which leads to loss of appetite. |
| Hoarseness | Tumors apply pressure to esophagus. |
| Swelling | Tumors apply pressure to blood vessels. |
| Effusion | Tumors occupying pleural space, causing overproduction of serous fluids that have no where to go. |
Why Physical Exams Assist in Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
When visiting a doctor for the first time, patients typically complain of chest pains and difficulty breathing, among other symptoms. As with other conditions, the first step is to conduct a physical examination of the chest, back and abdomen. A physician looks at and feels the skin around the painful areas to check for lumps, bumps, bruises, or tender areas. The patient will be asked about any injuries that may have occurred recently or in the past.
It is very important during this initial examination that the doctor and patient discuss environment respiratory hazards that may be part of the problem, including a history of exposure to asbestos at any point in the life of the patient.
Asbestos exposure is directly linked to mesothelioma and knowledge of asbestos exposure is a critical component in a faster diagnosis of mesothelioma. Determining the exact cause of many mesothelioma symptoms can take an extended amount of time, often many years, because mesothelioma may not be suspected until all other possibilities have been eliminated.
Discussing the facts about lifetime exposures to asbestos can significantly reduce the amount of time that passes before diagnosis is made. Early diagnosis leads to a better mesothelioma prognosis and can significantly increase the patient’s survival rate (average life expectancy).
Mesothelioma Diagnosis Steps
Diagnosis of mesothelioma is typically obtained through physical examinations and a series of test to rule out other possible conditions.
Once images are interpreted by a radiologist who confirms the presence of mutated cells (cancer) or tumors, a histopathologist collects blood and tissue samples to examine under a microscope. This allows them to determine the type of cells that are present in any tumors or excess fluids discovered through imaging tests.
An oncologist, a doctor that specialized in cancer, will then analyze the test results to determine the type and stage of mesothelioma and produce a diagnosis (the type of cancer) and a prognosis (life expectancy and proposed effectiveness of treatments).
Most people that experience the symptoms of mesothelioma will undergo a series of test that include:
- Analysis of Symptoms
- Physical Exam
- Chest X-Ray
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan
- Blood Tests
- Fluid Tests
- Biopsy
- Thorascopy (to include Biopsy)
- Pulmonary Functions Tests (PFTs)
A doctor may order numerous images to be taken of the chest and abdominal cavities when attempting to diagnose mesothelioma. The purpose of imaging tests is to check for abnormalities on the lungs and other organs in close proximity to the chest cavity, including the outer walls of the chest cavity itself. Mesothelioma often exhibits symptoms only in its later stages, so imaging tests will often show a number of cell masses or tumors around the chest cavity that are indicative of cancer.
