{"id":1992,"date":"2018-06-25T19:58:19","date_gmt":"2018-06-25T19:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mesotheliomacommunity.com\/?p=687"},"modified":"2018-06-25T19:58:19","modified_gmt":"2018-06-25T19:58:19","slug":"mesothelioma-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imedicalsociety.org\/mesothelioma-test\/","title":{"rendered":"Diagnosis Of Mesothelioma"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Diagnosis Of Mesothelioma<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Cancer is one of the leading causes<\/a> of mortality (Source<\/a>), globally (Source<\/a>). Many types of cancers<\/a> still remain challenging to treat (Source<\/a>), for modern medicine (Source<\/a>). Nonetheless, the prognosis is always better if the disease is diagnosed early <\/a>(Source<\/a>). The diagnosis of mesothelioma<\/a> is difficult (Source<\/a>) as in many cases either there are no symptoms in the early stages (Source<\/a>) or symptoms are too vague (Source<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Mesothelioma is one of the preventable, but aggressive and difficult to treat cancers. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma do not survive<\/a> more than one year after the diagnosis, which only underlines the value of early recognition of it. Here comes mesothelioma diagnosis into play.<\/p>\n

Mesothelioma is the cancer<\/a> of the thin cellular line that covers most of the internal organs. The primary reason for mesothelioma is professional exposure to the asbestos<\/a>\u00a0(Source<\/a>). Though asbestos is banned in most industries, however, it continues to be used in specific sectors due to some of its excellent physical qualities. Mesothelioma of the lining of lungs is most common, though it may occur in any organ that is covered by serous tissue (Source<\/a>). Thus mesothelioma may occur in the lining around the heart, and around the organs of the abdominal cavity too.<\/p>\n

Mesothelioma is common in elderlies, especially those who sometimes in their life worked in the mining sector, though not necessarily in the mining of asbestos. Asbestos commonly co-occurs with talk and many other minerals too. Construction workers are still at the risk of asbestos exposure as many of the old building contains it in high quantities due to its excellent insulating properties. Defense is another sector where it is still used widely in certain parts of equipment. Thus, naval veterans are at higher risk of mesothelioma than other military personnel.<\/p>\n

In more than 80% of cases of mesothelioma, there is a history of exposure to asbestos. Thus if any person who was exposed to asbestos any time in life and develops vague symptoms characteristic of cancer<\/a> like losing body weight, sweating in the evening, coughing, difficulty in breathing, he or she should immediately go for specific tests for the diagnosis of mesothelioma.<\/p>\n

\"mesothelioma
SIMPLE SQUAMOUS EPITHELIA IN MESOTHELIUM SHOWN IN A LECTURE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Though history taking is helpful, but diagnosing cancer solely based on the patient\u2019s complaints is rarely possible. Tests used for mesothelioma diagnosis can be divided into three categories: imaging, blood tests, and biopsy.<\/p>\n

Mesothelioma Diagnosis: Imaging, Blood Tests And Biopsy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Doctors would mostly start with imaging by using ultrasound, x-rays, MRI, CT scans, since these methods can provide a lot of information regarding cancer, they may help in differential diagnosis\/exclude other conditions. Best of all, imaging methods are safe and non-invasive.<\/p>\n

Blood tests can be divided into two groups, that is non-specific and specific blood tests. Non-specific blood tests may provide information about inflammation, general wellbeing, and help to exclude other conditions like infectious diseases or autoimmune disorders. While specific tests help to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and in some cases, they may even provide additional information regarding the type of mesothelioma.<\/p>\n

Biopsy remains the golden standard in the diagnosis of any type of cancer. It included aspiration of a small amount of tissue from the place where cancer is thought to be located. This aspirate of tissues is then examined below the microscope to confirm the diagnosis. This method not only provides the definite information about cancer, but it also helps to differentiate between the various cancer types.<\/p>\n

Imaging Tests For The Diagnosis Of Mesothelioma<\/strong><\/h2>\n

These are the tests used to look through the body. They help to identify the location of tumor or cancer. Imaging methods can be used more often and may also tell about how fast and aggressively the cancer is growing, and what is the effectiveness of any given treatment. These imaging tests send sound waves, x-rays, radioactive particles, or magnetic fields through the body of the person. Changes in the tissues caused due to cancer make a pattern that helps to identify cancer or other changes. Imaging methods allow printing the picture on the paper so that the condition of the patient can be analyzed thoroughly.<\/p>\n

Most imaging tests are quite safe, meaning that they can be even used for screening in the high-risk groups, or in people with mild symptoms (where physician doubts cancer or other formations).<\/p>\n

Most of the imaging methods may show the changes in the internal organs, the formation of a lump (though this lump may not necessarily indicate cancer). Imaging tests can be repeated to see if the tumor is growing or not, they also help to assist in biopsy and some other medical procedures.<\/p>\n