Mesothelioma Diagnosis – Techniques to diagnose mesothelioma

5 months ago

The common diagnostic methods used for mesothelioma asbestos and mesothelioma cancer is one and the same. The methods are: -

1. Non-invasive diagnosis technique (PET, CT scan, MRI scan)
2. Invasive diagnosis technique (Thoracoscopy or Peritoneoscopy)
3. Staging diagnosis technique

1.Non-invasive technique of diagnosis

Imaging technology

The preliminary diagnosis of mesothelioma starts with the close interaction with the anamnesis of the patient mainly the history of the exposure to asbestos, which is a causative agent for mesothelioma asbestos. The confirmative diagnosis of mesothelioma can be performed by anyone of the following methods or combination of all:

1. Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
2. Computed Tomography scan (CT scan)
3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

In this type of diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer, both tracers and cameras are being used to identify dangerous tumor growth and to spot the biological changes in the cells. This is considered to be superior of all the non-invasive diagnostic techniques.

CT Scan

Computed Tomography (CT) scan utilizes X-ray machine for taking pictures of the affected lung. The affected parts of the body are subjected to take pictures in a continuous manner and can be easily viewed through computer.

MRI Scan

In this method, a powerful magnet is used for imaging purpose. The affected internal organs can easily be viewed by making use of the magnet that is attached to the computer. You can record the images obtained by this technique and the print-out of the images can also be taken out for confirmative diagnosis of Mesothelioma asbestos.

2. Invasive diagnosis technique

Although you can identify the presence of mesothelioma through non-invasive diagnostic technique, only the invasive diagnosis paves way for confirmative diagnosis of mesothelioma. The common invasive types of mesothelioma diagnosis are Thoracoscopy, Peritoneoscopy, and mediastinopathy.

Thoracosopy

Thoracoscope, a thin, small, lighted tube is placed in between any two ribs after putting a small incision on the chest wall. A Biopsy can be obtained through this small opening and even the physician will able to see the affected tissue on the lung.

Peritoneoscopy

A small nick in the abdominal area helps the physician to have a look at the abdomen. A peritoneoscope will be inserted through the opening with an intention of collecting tissue sample through this tube.

Mediastinoscopy

A small incision will be made on the chest wall to insert a lighted mediastinoscope to get sample of the tissue. This technique holds good for collecting sample from the mediastinal lymphnodes.

If the tissue samples collected by any one of these methods don't match the proven results, a more elaborative diagnostic surgery will be carried out for confirming the mesothelioma.

3. Staging diagnosis technique

This technique of diagnosis will help a physician to find out the spread of the mesothelioma cancer from original membrane to other visceral organs including lymphnodes, chest wall, liver, kidney etc.

By adopting these diagnostic techniques, it is damn sure that the person suffering from Mesothelioma asbestos or mesothelioma cancer can easily be identified.