How to diagnose Mesothelioma

Being a rare form of cancer, Mesothelioma cannot be easily diagnosed. Because of its symptoms which resemble those of common ailments and diseases, mesothelioma is not readily recognized and most of the time, doctors are also not familiar with the disease. Another reason for difficulty in diagnosis of this cancer is its long latency period. The symptoms take around 20-50 years to appear. By the time they appear and the patient goes to the doctor for problems s/he is having, they forget to mention they have had exposure to asbestos in the past.

In most of the cases, by the time proper tests were run and the patient was diagnosed with mesothelioma, it was too late to do anything worthwhile and save the patients’ life.

Mesothelioma attacks the human body in 3 areas. It may attack either the lining of the lungs, chest or the abdominal cavity unleashing different sets of symptoms in each case of mesothelioma.

Some Steps of Diagnosing Mesothelioma
When you go for the checkup, make sure that you inform your doctor about your medical history and all the symptoms you have been facing. This helps in prompt diagnosis of the disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma like stomach aches, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and cough resemble those of common cold and flu.

If any of these symptoms are evident in you and you also have a history of exposure to asbestos, you should immediately see a doctor and describe all your symptoms in detail. Your doctor may run these tests to diagnose if you have mesothelioma:

Complete Physical Examination
The doctor may conduct a complete physical examination and check for any swelling or unusual occurrences in the body. In case of breathing problems, your doctor may listen for any breathing abnormalities and take note of the cough pattern.

Patient’s Medical History
The doctor will collect patient’s medical history that will give him an insight into the patient’s past and give any hint about asbestos exposure. If the patient has worked in any asbestos related industry, the doctor will be able to find out the link and make correct diagnosis.

X-rays and Scans
Mesothelioma can also be diagnosed with the help of a chest or abdomen X-ray. A CT scan or an MRI scan may also be taken if necessary. These scans and X-rays help in delivering a picture of the affected place with the cancerous cells and tumors that helps the doctor in diagnosing the disease.

Biopsy
If any of the above mentioned tests indicate the presence of mesothelioma, a biopsy is carried out to confirm the diagnosis. Biopsy can be of many kinds. A doctor may insert a needle into the affected area and get a sample of the infected tissues.

In some cases, because the test is not 100% reliable, a doctor may also recommend open pleural biopsy. In this kind, a small incision is made in the chest wall and a thin light tube is inserted between two ribs. A part of affected tissue is removed and checked under microscope for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Diagnostic Tests
Bronchoscopy or a mediastinoscopy are the two tests in which a doctor can look at the affected area with the help of a light-inserted tube.
With the help of Cytology, the doctor can check the pleural fluid for cancerous cells.
Thoracoscopy or a laparoscopy is the authentic diagnostic test to check presence of mesothelioma in pleural or peritoneal biopsy respectively.
PET scan is another test which can help the doctor in diagnosing the stage of mesothelioma or the extent of disease in the body.
All these diagnostics tests are as reliable as they can get. However, none of them give accurate results shows 100% presence of mesothelioma. Due to these reasons, doctors conduct more than one test to make certain the patient is suffering from mesothelioma before starting any treatment.

Choosing The Best Mesothelioma Cancer Clinic

If you have been diagnosed with asbestos cancer you will have to choose the best mesothelioma cancer clinic to receive the best possible treatment and care you deserve. Not all cancer clinics are the same. Here are some guidelines to follow in choosing a mesothelioma treatment center that will cater to your needs and concerns.

Don't be Afraid to Ask Questions

Here are some questions you should ask before you commit to any particular cancer clinic:

* Is the mesothelioma cancer clinic registered with the ACCC? The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has a membership of hundreds of hospitals and clinics known for outstanding treatment facilities. Make sure the clinic you are considering is a member of this organization.
* Does the American Cancer Society recognize the clinic? - If the ACS has any concerns about the types of treatments provided by your clinic, make sure you do some further research. The American Cancer Society should be your first stop for cancer information and support.
* Does the clinic provide all services at their own location? Some cancer clinics are fully equipped to treat mesothelioma but outsource some of the phases of the care. Lab specimens might have to be sent to other facilities which can cause critical delays in treating your disease.
* Is the clinic's staff 100% professional? You don't want to be treated for mesothelioma cancer in a clinic that has introduced cost-cutting measures such as non-professional support staff. You want to be taken care of by professional nurses and health care professionals.
* Does the clinic have a dedicated health care team? You want to make sure that the individuals working with you remain part of a dedicated team that is familiar with your treatment from start to finish. Continuity of the treatment procedure is of great importance and essential for your well-being.

Realize that your very life depends on the kind of treatment and care you will receive. So don't be shy about asking the facility some tough questions in your search for a mesothelioma cancer clinic. A top quality hospital will be glad to answer all of your questions and provide you with an information brochure about their services.