Diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer is very difficult in many cases

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer is very difficult in many cases, because the symptoms of mesothelioma resemble symptoms of other diseases. Hence patient's medical history is quite important to know, because if there is exposure to asbestos from the sick, the risk factors for developing greater Mesothelioma.

Your doctor will tell you to do a physical examination, including the X-ray photos (x-ray) of the chest and abdomen and lung function tests. A computerized tomography (CT) or computerized tomography scan (CAT) axial may be useful, along with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

CT scan allows a computer x-ray machine that allows you to create a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. MRI allows to obtain detailed images of areas inside the body through a powerful magnet linked to a computer.

The way to confirm the diagnosis of Mesothelioma is a biopsy, in which an oncologist or a doctor specialized in diagnosing and treating cancer pathologies take a tissue sample from the patient to examine under a microscope.

A biopsy can be done in various ways. In a name thoracoscopy biopsy if the cancer is in the chest the doctor makes a small cut through the patient's chest and introducing tube called a thoracoscope to look inside and take a tissue sample.

In peritoneoscopy if the cancer in the abdomen the doctor makes the same procedure but the patient's abdominal cavity to obtain tissue for examination.

Stage of the disease is important to know if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, and to apply the best treatment for patients.

This disease will be 'local' if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface, but it will be 'advanced' if it has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, abdominal organs, chest wall, lymph nodes.