Because mesothelioma's symptoms are not unique to it and the disease's relative rarity, cases of mesothelioma misdiagnosed are not uncommon. A review of the patient's medical history is an important part in assessing the risk of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma: Diagnosis and Differentiation Journal Articles
07.10.08 - Localized malignant mesothelioma in the middle mediastinum: Report of a case
Surgery Today. 2008;38(7):635-8. Epub 2008 Jul 9. [Link] Akamoto S, Ono Y, Ota K, Suzaki N, Sasaki A, Matsuo Y, Hayashi K. Department of Surgery, Jyuzen General Hospital, Ehime, Japan. Abstract Localized malignant mesothelioma in the mediastinum is rare and most known cases have been reported as ?localized malignant pericardial mesothelioma.? We report a case of a [...]
07.09.08 - Immunohistochemistry of pulmonary and pleural neoplasia
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. 2008 Jul;132(7):1062-72. [Link] Beasley MB. Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA. mbbeasleymd@yahoo.com Abstract Context: The use of immunohistochemical stains has several applications in the evaluation of pulmonary and pleural neoplasms. The number of available immunohistochemical stains is continually expanding and, although these stains are an important [...]
07.09.08 - Primary and metastatic lung tumors in the pediatric population: a review and 25-year experience at a large children?s hospital
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. 2008 Jul;132(7):1079-103. [Link] Dishop MK, Kuruvilla S. Department of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mkdishop@texaschildrenshospital.org Abstract Context: Primary lung neoplasms are rare in children, but they comprise a broad and interesting spectrum of lesions, some of which are familiar from other tissue sites, and some [...]
07.09.08 - Pulmonary sarcomatous tumors
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. 2008 Jul;132(7):1104-17. [Link] Litzky LA. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA. lalitzky@mail.med.upenn.edu Abstract Context: Sarcomatous pulmonary neoplasms are a rare and diagnostically challenging group of tumors. Primary pulmonary sarcomas must be distinguished from the more frequent occurrence of sarcoma metastatic to the lung, [...]
07.09.08 - Primary pleural neoplasia: entities other than diffuse malignant mesothelioma
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Vol. 132, No. 7, pp. 1149?1170. [Link] Guinee DG, Allen TC. Department of Pathology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA. Abstract Context: Overwhelmingly, the most common neoplasm involving the pleura is metastatic carcinoma. In contrast, diffuse malignant mesothelioma occurs relatively rarely; however, it is nonetheless the most common neoplasm primary to [...]
As a first step in diagnosing the disease, the doctor may order an x-ray of the chest or abdomen or a CT (or CAT) scan or MRI may be performed. Although mesothelioma typically cannot be seen on an x-ray, the tumor often causes a pleural effusion, or fluid collection between the lung and chest wall. This abnormal finding is associated with shortness of breath and warrants clinical follow up. Lung function tests may also be completed.
The doctor may look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope. A cut will be made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope will be put into the chest between two ribs. This test, called thoracoscopy, is usually done in the hospital. Before the test, the patient will be given a local anesthetic (a drug that causes a loss of feeling for a short period of time). Some pressure may be felt, but usually there is no pain.
The doctor may also look inside the abdomen (peritoneoscopy) with a special tool called a peritoneoscope. The peritoneoscope is put into an opening made in the abdomen. This test is also usually done in the hospital. Before the test is done, a local anesthetic will be given.
If tissue that is not normal is found, the doctor will need to cut out a small piece and have it reviewed under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is called a biopsy. Biopsies are usually done during the thoracoscopy or peritoneoscopy.
Diagnosing mesothelioma is very difficult, and cases of mesothelioma misdiagnosed are unfortunately not uncommon. It is important to share your case history of work experience (especially in shipyards and at construction sites) and asbestos exposure potential with your physicians if you feel mesothelioma is a risk. Asbestos fibres can also be carried into the home on clothing, inadvertently exposing the deadly fibres, and the risk of mesothelioma, to family members.
A mesothelioma diagnosis is serious, but treatments are available. The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on the size of the cancer, where the cancer is, how far the cancer has spread, how the cancer cells look under the microscope, how the cancer responds to treatment, and the patient's age. As with most types of cancer, early diagnosis is an excellent first step in fighting the disease.
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