Mesothelioma Research

The diagnosis of mesothelioma is often difficult because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. The diagnosis begins with a review of the history of the patient, including history of exposure to asbestos. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or cat) or a magnetic resonance scan may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer connected to a machine to x-rays. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to provide detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These images are displayed on a monitor and can also be printed.

A biopsy is necessary for a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be performed in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer in the chest, the doctor may prescribe a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small incision through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look in the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is the abdomen, the doctor may prescribe a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called peritoneoscope in the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic may need surgery.

If the diagnosis of mesothelioma, the doctor wants to learn the stage (or height) of the disease. Staging more accurate test in a attempt to find out if cancer has spread and, if so, what parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.

Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is on the membrane surface where it originated. E 'is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body such as lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.

Anyone interested in participating in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the Cancer Information Service (DIS) Information specialists at the CIS use PDQ ®, NCI cancer database, to identify and detailed information about specific ongoing clinical trials. Patients also have the option to search for clinical trials in their country. The clinical trials page on the NCI Cancer.gov Web site, provides general information about clinical trials and links to PDQ.

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