Mesothelioma: Diagnosis
1. Lab findings
- Fluids are exudative, serosanguineous in character
- Exudate glucose level and pH may be low
- Cytology of cells in fluids is not sufficient to make the diagnosis as it is not sensitive enough to distinguish between poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma.
- Tissue samples of the tumor should be obtained via thorocoscopy or laparoscopy as special immunohistochemical stains as well as electron microscopy is needed to adequately make the diagnosis.
2. Radiology
- Plain films most often show presence of large fluid collection as well as presence of plaques
- In pleural disease chest X-rays will show the mediastinum shifting toward the side of the tumor.
- CT scans are especially diagnostic as they show the irregular and thickened margins which are suggestive of Mesothelioma.
