Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is challenging to diagnose for a variety of reasons. At this time, only a biopsy can definitively confirm mesothelioma.
For any disease, an early diagnosis ensures patients are treated as quickly and effectively as possible. For mesothelioma patients, due to the cancer’s aggressive nature, early detection and avoiding misdiagnosis are key to ensuring the best prognosis. However, this rare disease can be mistaken for an infection or a more common type of cancer, so diagnosing it requires a specialist.
The most common presenting symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and difficulty breathing while peritoneal mesothelioma patients typically experience abdominal pain and distension. Anyone with a history of occupational asbestos exposure should remain watchful for these symptoms and report them to a doctor immediately.
- Nonspecific symptoms and a long latency period make a proper diagnosis difficult.
- Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as other common illnesses, such as pneumonia and influenza.
- A biopsy is currently the only method to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.
- Diagnosing mesothelioma can involve minimally invasive techniques or major surgical procedures.
- Recent studies of mesothelioma focus on earlier detection and improved accuracy of diagnostic tools and procedures.
How is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
When a patient shows symptoms of mesothelioma, physicians will conduct a physical exam, dig into a patient’s medical history, and begin to rule out common diseases and conditions. Often, a series of tests and procedures will be ordered to identify the cause of symptoms. Imaging scans are used to identify tumors and potential spreading, while blood tests look for biomarkers that could suggest the presence of mesothelioma or reveal a history of asbestos exposure. However, biopsies are the only conclusive method to diagnose mesothelioma.
Challenges Diagnosing Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer often misdiagnosed for more common diseases and conditions. Each step of the diagnostic process, especially a biopsy, is crucial to preventing misdiagnosis. If mesothelioma is mistaken for another condition, treatment will be delayed, which can worsen a patient’s prognosis. Misdiagnoses vary by type, are as follows:
- Pleural mesothelioma: Pneumonia, emphysema, asthma, bronchial infections, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), adenocarcinoma and other lung cancers
- Peritoneal mesothelioma: Benign cystic mesothelioma, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease, hernia, ovarian cancer and other abdominal cancers
- Pericardial mesothelioma: Coronary artery disease, heart failure, tuberculosis pericarditis, synovial sarcoma and other heart-related cancers
- Testicular mesothelioma: Epididymitis, testicular cancer, inguinal hernia, adenocarcinoma and other testicular cancers
Free Mesothelioma Guide
Do you have more questions about a mesothelioma diagnosis? Find the support you and your loved ones need with an information guide that includes the latest mesothelioma treatment options, top mesothelioma doctors and financial compensation assistance.
Types
There are four main types of mesothelioma based on the location in the body where tumors originate—most commonly affecting the lungs.
Stages
Mesothelioma can be categorized into one of four stages, which classify how far the cancer has progressed in the body.
Treatment
While there is no cure for malignant mesothelioma, there are treatment options that can help patients improve their prognosis and reduce symptoms.
Prognosis
Unfortunately, mesothelioma has a poor prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of only 9 percent. Most patients have a life-expectancy of about 1 year.
Types
There are four main types of mesothelioma based on the location in the body where tumors originate—most commonly affecting the lungs.
Stages
Mesothelioma can be categorized into one of four stages, which classify how far the cancer has progressed in the body.
Treatment
While there is no cure for malignant mesothelioma, there are treatment options that can help patients improve their prognosis and reduce symptoms.
Prognosis
Unfortunately, mesothelioma has a poor prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of only 9 percent. Most patients have a life-expectancy of about 1 year.
We are Here to Help
Want to learn more about mesothelioma? We are here to help patients, caregivers, advocates, and others get the information they need about the disease. Please send us a message or call our support team at (866) 367-8341.
Understand Your Legal Rights
Because so many companies knowingly put employees at risk of asbestos exposure, mesothelioma patients and their loved ones have legal rights. Talk to an attorney to learn about your compensation options.
We are Here to Help
Want to learn more about mesothelioma? We are here to help patients, caregivers, advocates, and others get the information they need about the disease. Please send us a message or call our support team at (866) 367-8341.
Understand Your Legal Rights
Because so many companies knowingly put employees at risk of asbestos exposure, mesothelioma patients and their loved ones have legal rights. Talk to an attorney to learn about your compensation options.