Medical Tests and Symptoms Offer Insight into Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
Cancer of the mesothelium will show a few primary symptoms. Pleural mesotheliomas main symptom is shortness of breath due to pleural effusion ” the accumulation of fluid in the pleura, or membrane, surrounding the lung. Another common symptomis chest pain because the chest wall is being attacked by the tumor. Additional symptoms include night sweats, weight loss and exhaustion.
The most common signof patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, which originates in the abdomen, is the swelling of the abdomen because of fluid accumulation (ascites), abdominal pain, and bowel obstruction.
It is key to understand that these symptoms could be caused by a myriad of diseases or conditions. However, if you have been exposed to asbestos and have these symptoms, you should visit a doctor.
Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer is hard to identify, because many symptoms are also associated with less serious conditions. Symptoms typical for mesothelioma:
- Shortness of breath
- Lower back or chest pains from a buildup of fluid in the pleura
- Fever
- Nausea
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Coughing up blood
Self-diagnosis should never be attempted. Sufferers of the above symptoms should not panic, and should consult their doctor. A biopsy is the primary way the condition is confirmed. A pathologist removes a piece of tissue from the suspicious area and examines it to return a highly accurate diagnosis. Usually, biopsies do not hurt.
Another option is a CT (Computed Tomography) scan. This is an X-ray procedure where a scanner is moved around the body to snap cross-sectional pictures. Once in a while, a dye is ingested by the patient to help define the images. CT scans have an advantage over biopsies by being easier and non-invasive, and they are recognized as being effective in diagnosis. Opinion is divided as to whether the scan is more or less cost-effective than a biopsy. If there are irregularities, a biopsy may also be ordered to determine if a tumor exists, and if so, if the tumor is benign or malignant. Pleural mesothelioma can also be diagnosed by testing a sample of fluid from the pleura for cancer cells.
Mesothelioma can also be screened and then diagnosed by any of these methods. Screening is when patients who may suspect they are at risk are tested for the condition without displaying any symptoms, to make sure they are not in danger or to catch the cancer as early as possible. Patients who have in their past inhaled asbestos, should be screened for mesothelioma.
