Mesothelioma – Detecting Mesothelioma

Each year in the US, almost 3000 people will get a rare kind of cancer called mesothelioma. Regularly attributed to asbestos exposure sometime in the distant past, this variety of cancer can take decades to mature into full-fledged cancer.

When it does, it is in many cases advanced, and the prognosis can be gloomy. Ascites, pericardial as well as pleural effusion are a few of the things the doctor will look for when trying to diagnose the cancer. Because it is so uncommon, general screening is usually not performed. Diagnostic tests are regularly obtainable to those who are at risk or who develop symptoms.

Once everything else has been ruled out and the proper circumstances and symptoms are preset, the doctor will start suspecting a case of mesothelioma. Typically when the doctor knows the patient has been exposed to asbestos, he or she will start suspecting and testing for mesothelioma.

X-rays are frequently done to look for calcium deposits on the pleura, thickening of the pleura or effusion of the pleura. Other procedures also include CT scans of the affected area to determine if cancer is present. Using radio waves and magnets, an MRI can help locate a tumor and reveal its dimensions.

Blood tests are also effective in detecting mesothelioma. High levels of osteopontin as well as a few vital peptides are looked for by the doctor.

Fluid analysis tests can also be used to help the doctor detect mesothelioma. The procedure is called different things depending on the are the needle is inserted into which are paracentesis, pericardiocentesis and thoracentesis. Pleural, thoracic or abdominal fluid is removed and analyzed. This test does not rule out cancer, but if cancer is present, it can help tell between the presence of mesothelioma versus other forms of cancer.

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