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Diagnosis of MESOTHELIOMA
Realization is the first step to redemption. Make sure you're diagnosis accurately identifies the type and stage of cancer.
Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because of its apparently vague symptoms and similarity to other less threatening conditions. The doctor would need a complete medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure, to determine the risk factors involved. A physical examination encompassing X-rays, CT scans and MRI reports would give the necessary insight regarding the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
X-rays of the chest will show if there are any abnormalities in or around the lungs instigated by asbestos exposure and if a pleural effusion has taken place. MRI reports and CT scans can help determine the loss of lung volume and the location, size and mass of the cancerous growth. Thorancentesis, an examination of the pleural fluid in the chest, can also be performed for exhaustive results.
After these initial tests, a biopsy is often required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a sample of the tissue is examined under the microscope to check for the extent to which the virus has spread. Biopsy is by far the most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma.
A needle biopsy can be performed, under a local anesthetic, but it provides only a small tissue sample. This could deter the accuracy rate of the results. The preferred alternative to this is an open biopsy, which provides a larger tissue sample. It can be performed in a hospital under general anesthesia.
Biopsy can be performed differently depending on the organ under scrutiny. For the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma a thoracoscopy is to be performed, through which the doctor can look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. For peritoneal mesothelioma a peritoneoscopy has to be performed to obtain abdomen tissues for examination. If the result of the biopsy is inconclusive, extensive diagnostic surgery might have to be performed.
Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, next the stage or the extent of the condition has to be determined. This process requires more tests to be performed to determine how much the cancer has spread and to which body parts. The results of the process help the doctor to form a treatment plan ideal for the patient.
If the cancer is found only on mesothelium, where it originated from, mesothelioma is described as localized. However, if its presence is found beyond the mesothelium to the other body parts like the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall or abdominal organs, it is classified as an advanced stage of mesothelioma and calls for immediate medical help.
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