Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosis and Help for Victims

Doctors and oncologists use imaging scans, blood tests, and biopsies to diagnose mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is rare and difficult to diagnose, so many people initially receive a misdiagnosis. Early diagnosis is essential to beginning effective treatments.

If you have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for a large amount of compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds set up for those who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.

What Tests Do Doctors Use to Diagnose Mesothelioma?

If a patient has symptoms of mesothelioma, their physician begins with a physical exam. They will then use multiple tests to make a diagnosis and rule out other illnesses:

• Chest computed tomography (CT): Similar to a conventional chest X-ray, this is a non-invasive test that involves taking detailed pictures of a patient’s lungs. Normally used to look for emphysema, pneumonia, excess fluids in the lungs, or tuberculosis, it can also be used to detect tumors. This type of testing is being used more and more for victims who may have an asbestos-related disease.

• Conventional chest x-ray: This procedure is used to take pictures of the pleural regions in order to detect visual changes in the lungs and other vital organs. It is usually carried out in conjunction with other tests such as biopsies and cytology of pleural fluids.

• Open lung biopsy: An open lung biopsy involves removing a small amount of tissue from the lung to see if it exhibits any signs of infection, injury, or cancer. The tissue is examined for signs of the disease and infection once removed. A small incision is made in the chest area in order for the physician to remove the tissue. A chest tube is typically left in the lungs for a few days after the biopsy is performed to ensure that the lungs don’t collapse.

• Pleural biopsy: As with an open lung biopsy, a pleural biopsy involves the surgical removal of a small amount of tissue from the pleural cavity. The tissue is then examined for signs of infection or disease. The difference is that various tissues are usually removed during a pleural biopsy as opposed to just a small amount of tissue during an open lung biopsy. Additionally, the ribs are usually separated in order to remove tissue.

• Cytology of pleural fluid: During a procedure called thoracentesis, a small amount of fluid from the chest cavity is extracted with a needle that is inserted into the patient’s back. A local anesthetic is used in conjunction with this procedure to prevent discomfort. The fluid is then examined in a laboratory for signs of cancers.

• Biomarker and Blood Tests: A biomarker is a test that’s used to help doctors find and diagnose a particular disease. For mesothelioma, there are several different types of biomarker and blood tests used to detect the disease, including:

• Fibulin 3: Fibulin 3 is a relatively new biomarker that works by testing the Fibulin 3 in the patient’s bloodstream. Fibulin 3 is a protein found in the body and with patients with mesothelioma, the protein can be significantly higher. For testing purposes, the protein is extracted via the body’s lung fluids.

• Mesomark: Mesomark, also known as mesomark assay, is an in vitro test that’s used to test and monitor the soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP) in a patient’s bloodstream. Mesomark will then determine if the patient has a high amount of SMRP, which may indicate pleural mesothelioma. In 2007, Mesomark was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA)  as a laboratory test used to detect malignant mesothelioma.

• PET Scan Imaging: PET scan imaging works by scanning the body to determine how the organs are working together and if there are any problems. A radiopharmaceutical material can be inserted into the bloodstream or inhaled before imaging, which will help to detect cancer spots on various organs.

• Thoracoscopy and Laparoscopy: Thoracoscopy and laparoscopy are methods of detecting cancer via a small camera inserted into the body. The difference is that a thoracoscopy involves scanning and detecting abnormalities through tissue samples, whereas a laparoscopy detects abnormalities via the body’s stomach organs.

• Mediastinoscopy: A mediastinoscopy involves inserting a small camera into the lung area in an attempt to examine the tissues on the front of the lungs.

Most asbestos exposure victims don’t receive a diagnosis until decades later—the earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis.

Early detection makes it easier for medical professionals to provide mesothelioma treatments to remove cancer from the body. Although mesothelioma is incurable, an early diagnosis will help prolong life spans and help victims deal more effectively with pain.

The Problem of Misdiagnosis

Physicians can sometimes misdiagnose mesothelioma. Keep in mind that mesothelioma is considered a rare form of cancer in the medical world. Many doctors don’t consider it a possibility until they have ruled out more common illnesses.

For example, since the symptoms of mesothelioma closely mimic the common cold and the flu, patients have often been diagnosed with mesothelioma prematurely or not diagnosed with mesothelioma at all. In other instances, pathologists confuse mesothelioma with other similar cancers.

Don’t hesitate to seek the opinion of another mesothelioma doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis Statistics

Although it is theoretically possible for just about anyone exposed to asbestos to be diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer, 80% of mesothelioma cancer victims are men who suffered prolonged exposure to asbestos at work.

Many job sites previously used asbestos in machinery, equipment, and various products. Typical occupations included steel mills, power plants, paper mills, the automotive industry, the military, and different kinds of factories.

Detecting Mesothelioma

It is not uncommon for a patient to go for years with undetected mesothelioma. The long period of dormancy is one factor as the symptoms of mesothelioma can take decades to appear.

When doctors make a connection between a patient’s exposure to asbestos and symptoms that align with an asbestos illness, they can order mesothelioma-specific tests.

Anyone who has worked around asbestos should always get regular check-ups. Let your doctor know that you have a history with asbestos.

Those exposed to second-hand asbestos or who worked in an occupation not generally associated with asbestos should also get regular screenings. Women and younger people are two groups that are often overlooked, although anyone at any age can develop the disease.

Women and Mesothelioma

Women have a lower risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Most of the job sites that used asbestos were in fields that were employed by a majority of males.

Yet, since asbestos can be found in schools, hospitals, and homes built between 1930 and the early 1970s, women, too, are at some risk of being afflicted by mesothelioma. Additionally, women who worked in aircraft factories or shipyards during the Second World War are the most likely to be diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer.

Further, family members and loved ones who come into contact with someone who worked around asbestos run a small risk of contracting an asbestos-related illness.

For example, a wife who washed her husband’s asbestos-contaminated clothing may be susceptible to secondary asbestos exposure.

Young People and Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma isn’t typically diagnosed in younger patients since the disease is more prevalent in older adults. According to a study by New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital, results showed that out of 110 mesothelioma victims, only ten were under the age of 39.

These patients had the usual symptoms of mesothelioma, such as coughing and difficulty with breathing, but because of their age, doctors didn’t diagnose the disease until months later.

Again, it’s imperative to discuss your work history and any form of asbestos exposure with your physician as soon as possible. Testing to diagnose asbestos-related diseases will be much quicker if a physician knows that you’ve worked around asbestos.

Legal Assistance

Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on skilled asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. For questions and assistance, feel free to contact us at 800-793-4540.