How Is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed in a number of ways. A physical assessment and medical history is first obtained from any patient presenting with symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain or swelling in the abdomen. If the medical history is indicative for asbestos exposure, or if other possible causes have been ruled out, the doctor may move on to imaging tests, invasive procedures or surgery to diagnose mesothelioma.
Imaging tests such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to visualize any abnormalities in the lungs or abdomen. A thoracoscopy of the chest or a peritoneoscopy of the abdomen would provide a closer look at any abnormal tissue. A thoracentesis or paracentesis can be done to provide tissue and fluid specimens for analysis.
Surgery can be done to acquire a larger specimen of the tumor than would ordinarily be obtained from either a thoracentesis or a paracentesis.
