Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer that commonly appears in people who have been around asbestos at some time in their lives. The most common type is pleural mesothelioma which occurs in the pleura or outer lining of the lungs. It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because it shares the same symptoms as many other diseases.
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is with X-ray, CT scans, or MRIs. If something unusual is detected, a biopsy will be needed. A biopsy is when a surgeon or medical oncologist retrieves a sample of tissue from the area that is believed to be cancerous.
This will usually be from an area of the lower lungs. It is thoroughly examined by microscope by a pathologist. This isn?t as painful as it sounds as the area is numbed and a very small instrument takes the physical sample.
If it ends up being true mesothelioma, the doctor then needs to learn what stage it?s in. This requires more scans and testing to see how large the cancerous growth is and helps determine the best route to take in regards to treatment.

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is definitely a life changing event and counseling as well as support groups may be very beneficial. It is important to remember that any cancer has a good rate of success if caught early.
Treatment could be anything from a simple surgical procedure to a couple sessions with chemotherapy or radiation. Many lawsuits are in progress relating to asbestos exposure so if you meet some of their conditions, you may qualify for free or reduced medical care.