Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer that only has about 3000 new cases in America each year. Usually attributed to asbestos contact sometime in the distant past, this type of cancer can take decades to mature into full-fledged cancer.
The prognosis for mesothelioma patients are usually pretty bleak. Your doctor will probably conduct a medical history and do an exam to look for signs of mesothelioma, for example pleural effusion, ascites or pericardial effusion. General screening is not typically done for mesothelioma, since it is so uncommon. Those at risk from asbestos related work or those who are already showing symptoms will be given a diagnostic test.
Physicians usually only suspect mesothelioma as soon as all else has been ruled out in combination with symptoms and asbestos related history. If a doctor knows a patient has been exposed to asbestos in a work environment the doctor might test for mesothelioma sooner than if there was no known asbestos contact or other major risk factors.
They are chest x-rays to look for abnormalities that might be signs of mesothelioma for instance the thickening of the pleura, calcium deposits on the pleura, or pleural effusion. CT scans are also used to detect the existence of cancer in the affected regions. MRI's are more often than not used to discover tumors as well as map out the size and shape of the tumor.
Blood test can also be used to build a case for the presence of mesothelioma. Elevated levels of osteopontin and certain soluble peptides tend to be found in patients who have mesothelioma.
A different potential test is fluid analysis. A needle is inserted over three areas, thoracentesis (chest), pericardiocentesis (heart) or paracentesis (abdomen). Analysis is carried out on the fluid that was removed from these areas. This test will not rule out cancer, but if cancer is present, it can help distinguish the presence of mesothelioma in opposition to other types of cancer.
The prognosis for mesothelioma patients are usually pretty bleak. Your doctor will probably conduct a medical history and do an exam to look for signs of mesothelioma, for example pleural effusion, ascites or pericardial effusion. General screening is not typically done for mesothelioma, since it is so uncommon. Those at risk from asbestos related work or those who are already showing symptoms will be given a diagnostic test.
Physicians usually only suspect mesothelioma as soon as all else has been ruled out in combination with symptoms and asbestos related history. If a doctor knows a patient has been exposed to asbestos in a work environment the doctor might test for mesothelioma sooner than if there was no known asbestos contact or other major risk factors.
They are chest x-rays to look for abnormalities that might be signs of mesothelioma for instance the thickening of the pleura, calcium deposits on the pleura, or pleural effusion. CT scans are also used to detect the existence of cancer in the affected regions. MRI's are more often than not used to discover tumors as well as map out the size and shape of the tumor.
Blood test can also be used to build a case for the presence of mesothelioma. Elevated levels of osteopontin and certain soluble peptides tend to be found in patients who have mesothelioma.
A different potential test is fluid analysis. A needle is inserted over three areas, thoracentesis (chest), pericardiocentesis (heart) or paracentesis (abdomen). Analysis is carried out on the fluid that was removed from these areas. This test will not rule out cancer, but if cancer is present, it can help distinguish the presence of mesothelioma in opposition to other types of cancer.
About the Author:
Further Reading and Further Reading for two chief hubpages created by the writer concerning mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma. For additional information please click on the links pointing to the hubpages.
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