Only 2,000 to 3,000 new diagnoses of malignant mesothelioma cancer happen every year in the U.S., making it an infrequent variety of cancer. Causes point to asbestos exposure in the past and the cancer can take anywhere from 20 to 40 years to show up.
Should this be the case, the prognosis in general looks pretty futile. Ascites, pericardial as well as pleural effusion are several of the things the doctor will look for when trying to diagnose the cancer. Because it is so uncommon, general screening is usually not performed. Diagnostic tests are more often than not available to those who are at risk or who develop symptoms.
Normally, the doctor will suspect mesothelioma when a patient comes in with symptoms and/or risk factors and only after other (more universal) causes have been ruled out. Usually as soon as the doctor knows the patient has been exposed to asbestos, he or she will start suspecting and testing for mesothelioma.
X-rays are typically done to look for calcium deposits on the pleura, thickening of the pleura or effusion of the pleura. CT scan of chest or abdomen are utilized to get an image of the affected area for possible clues to whether or not cancer is present. MRI's are frequently used to find tumors as well as map out the size and shape of the tumor.
Blood test can also be utilized to build a case for the presence of mesothelioma. High levels of osteopontin and certain soluble peptides have a tendency to be found in patients who have mesothelioma.
Fluid analysis tests can also be utilized to help the doctor detect mesothelioma. A needle is inserted over three regions, thoracentesis (chest), pericardiocentesis (heart) or paracentesis (abdomen). Pleural, thoracic or abdominal fluid is removed and analyzed. Fluid analysis can help distinguish mesothelioma from other varieties of cancer.
Should this be the case, the prognosis in general looks pretty futile. Ascites, pericardial as well as pleural effusion are several of the things the doctor will look for when trying to diagnose the cancer. Because it is so uncommon, general screening is usually not performed. Diagnostic tests are more often than not available to those who are at risk or who develop symptoms.
Normally, the doctor will suspect mesothelioma when a patient comes in with symptoms and/or risk factors and only after other (more universal) causes have been ruled out. Usually as soon as the doctor knows the patient has been exposed to asbestos, he or she will start suspecting and testing for mesothelioma.
X-rays are typically done to look for calcium deposits on the pleura, thickening of the pleura or effusion of the pleura. CT scan of chest or abdomen are utilized to get an image of the affected area for possible clues to whether or not cancer is present. MRI's are frequently used to find tumors as well as map out the size and shape of the tumor.
Blood test can also be utilized to build a case for the presence of mesothelioma. High levels of osteopontin and certain soluble peptides have a tendency to be found in patients who have mesothelioma.
Fluid analysis tests can also be utilized to help the doctor detect mesothelioma. A needle is inserted over three regions, thoracentesis (chest), pericardiocentesis (heart) or paracentesis (abdomen). Pleural, thoracic or abdominal fluid is removed and analyzed. Fluid analysis can help distinguish mesothelioma from other varieties of cancer.
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