How Is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
To make a mesothelioma diagnosis, doctors will often first monitor initial symptoms such as a dry cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and weight loss. They’ll also want to know if you or a loved one was ever exposed to asbestos, which is the only known cause of mesothelioma.
Once the doctor rules out that more common conditions are not causing these symptoms, they will perform various tests for mesothelioma, such as biopsies, imaging scans, and blood tests. However, a biopsy is the only definitive way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.
- Approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.
- Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed 10-50 years after exposure to asbestos.
- Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma are 65 years old or older.
- Mesothelioma can be diagnosed in younger adults, teenagers, children, and even dogs.
Visit a mesothelioma doctor as soon as possible if you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms. Prompt detection and diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to receiving life-extending treatment.
Use our Free Doctor Match to connect with mesothelioma specialists who can provide an accurate diagnosis.
Diagnosing Different Types of Mesothelioma
Doctors use certain techniques and equipment to make a mesothelioma diagnosis depending on where in the body the potentially cancerous cells are located.
Here are the common tests used for each type of mesothelioma:
- Pleural mesothelioma: CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds can be used to determine if cancer is present in the pleura (lung lining). PET scans may be used to see how far the cancer has spread. Pulmonary function tests can also determine if the lungs have been weakened by the cancer.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma: Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the abdominal lining, or pleura. If this cancer is suspected, doctors typically start with a CT scan of the abdomen. Blood samples may be taken to help rule out other conditions.
- Pericardial mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma forms in the lining of the heart. Chest X-rays, MRI scans, and echocardiograms may be used to see if cancer tumors have started to develop around the heart. Most cases are only diagnosed after the patient has died since this type of mesothelioma is extremely rare.
- Testicular mesothelioma: Doctors may use X-rays, ultrasounds, and biomarkers (tests that look for substances like proteins that only cancer cells give off) to diagnose this type of cancer, which forms in the lining of the testes.
No matter which type of mesothelioma is suspected, biopsies are always conducted after these tests to see if cancerous cells are present in the affected area. A biopsy allows doctors to remove a sample of a tumor and then it lab tested for the presence of mesothelioma cells.
Nurse Amy Fair discusses what to expect after getting a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This holistic disease affects not only the victim but the family and the caretaker too. View Transcript.
Duration: 1 min 43 sec
The most important thing folks that have been diagnosed with mesothelioma need to do is to take one minute and one day at a time. To get a diagnosis and try to fast forward about the when’s and the what’s and the how’s of what’s going to happen next month, or in six months or a year, can be very overwhelming.
When talking with families of someone that’s been diagnosed with mesothelioma, I encourage them to first let that particular person go through the stages of the feelings that they’re going to go through with this disease.
It’s important that the caregivers stay healthy too. They need to still be able to get away. They still need to be able to surround themselves with support through their family and through their church and through their friends.
Many times, when caregivers are struggling with the change of life that they are going through with this disease, I encourage them to reach out to; if they have local support groups there some of the oncologists can refer them to some local support groups. If they do not have those resources, then I do refer them directly to a mesothelioma support group.
The clients I have work with that have made the most profound impression with me are the clients that, they just needed someone to talk to and sometimes it’s not about medical, it’s not about the side effects of chemotherapy, it’s just sharing a memory of their loved one.
I get cards from them for different occasions, and there’s always a note that says that we made a difference.
Mesothelioma Imaging Tests
Doctors use imaging tests to see where possibly cancerous fluids, tumors, and/or masses have formed within the body.
While the imaging tests listed below are important in the diagnosis process, the American Cancer Society (ACS) notes that more tests will be needed to confirm if someone has cancer.
X-Ray
An X-ray uses electromagnetic radiation to create a picture of the inside of the body. According to the ACS, X-rays are typically the first test a doctor will use to see if a patient has pleural mesothelioma.
X-rays can show:
- Calcium deposits in the pleura (pleural plaques)
- Fluid buildup in the lungs (pleural effusion)
- Thickening of the lining of the lungs or abdomen
- Other abnormalities that may indicate mesothelioma
CT Scan
Similar to X-rays, a computerized tomography (CT) scan creates a comprehensive image of the body that can locate potentially cancerous growths.
A CT scan takes numerous images and creates a computerized view of the body from multiple angles. CT scans for cancer usually require contrast to outline different organs in the body.
MRI Scan
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is similar to a CT scan, but it uses radio and magnetic waves instead of light waves to see if cancerous tumors are present.
Patients can expect to lie inside a tube-like scanner for up to an hour while an MRI occurs.
PET Scan
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan uses a low dose of a radioactive sugar to detect cancer cells. This substance is injected into the patient’s body about one hour before the scan.
Cancer cells grow at a rapid pace and consume a larger quantity of the sugar than other cells. The PET scan can show which cells (if any) are consuming more sugar — and, in turn, may be cancerous — and where these cells are located.
The scan can also show if these cells have begun to spread throughout the body.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a specialized form of ultrasound that uses sound waves to take an image. After a gel is placed on the chest, a wand sends sound waves into the body to create a picture on a monitor.
Echocardiograms are frequently used to help confirm a pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis. A doctor may request an echocardiogram to see how well the heart is functioning or if they suspect fluid buildup around the heart.
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide for essential information on getting a diagnosis for yourself or a loved one.
Mesothelioma Blood Tests and Biomarkers
In addition to imaging scans, doctors can also use mesothelioma blood tests to see if cancer cells are present within the body.
Mesothelioma increases the levels of certain substances within the blood, including fibulin-3, soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRPs), and other substances. These substances can be detected through various mesothelioma blood tests.
Outside of a mesothelioma blood test, many future techniques for determining a malignant mesothelioma diagnosis are focused on biomarkers, which use substances or processes to identify abnormalities in the body.
Learn more about the different types of mesothelioma blood tests below.
SMRP Test
The most common mesothelioma blood test is the SMRP test, which goes by its trademarked name MesoMark®. This test looks for heightened levels of SMRPs, which are substances that develop in the blood if mesothelioma cells are present.
N-ERC Test
Like MesoMark, this test determines if a substance called N-ERC (mesothelin) is present within the patient’s blood.
The N-ERC mesothelioma blood test is considered more accurate than the SMRP test in identifying cancer. However, it is not as helpful when diagnosing mesothelioma since the presence of N-ERC may also be a sign of other types of cancer.
Osteopontin Test
Osteopontin is a naturally occurring protein that increases when a person has mesothelioma.
An osteopontin mesothelioma blood test can determine whether a patient has cancer but does not indicate what type. Therefore, osteopontin tests that come back positive will require additional mesothelioma diagnosis testing.
MPF Test
The MPF test is a type of mesothelioma blood test used to detect the megakaryocyte potentiating factor (MPF), a protein found in the blood of mesothelioma patients. Scientists are still studying why there are high levels of MPF in mesothelioma patients.
Biopsies for a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
The only way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis is to perform a biopsy of tissue or fluid cells. A mesothelioma biopsy generally involves collecting a tissue or fluid sample from a possibly cancerous growth. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to be examined for cancer cells under a microscope.
Doctors typically take a fluid sample from the affected area to look for cancer cells, as fluid buildup is a common symptom of both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.
However, examining fluid may not be enough to conclusively diagnose mesothelioma since cancer cells may not always be present, or could look like inflammation. The ACS notes that doctors usually need a tissue sample to definitively make a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Learn more about the different types of mesothelioma biopsies below.
Thoracoscopy
Doctors create a small incision in the chest and use video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to extract a biopsy sample. This type of mesothelioma biopsy is often preferred over others for its accuracy.
According to a study from Mansoura University in Egypt, the diagnostic accuracy rate of a slightly different thoracoscopy (called a flexi rigid thoracoscopy) reached 93.6% for 100 patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions.
Fine Needle Biopsy
A fine needle biopsy uses a long and skinny needle to collect sample cells. This type of biopsy is valued for its ability to access hard-to-reach locations in the body, such as the lungs and the heart.
Other Types of Mesothelioma Biopsies
Although thoracoscopy and fine needle biopsies are the two most common types, other techniques may be used to diagnose mesothelioma in some cases.
Additional types of biopsies include:
- Endobronchial ultrasound needle biopsy: Doctors insert a tube down the windpipe of a sedated patient to examine the airway and collect tissue samples from the lymph nodes.
- Laparoscopy: Doctors use a small tube with a light and camera to look inside the abdomen to locate tumors.
- Mediastinoscopy: Doctors take a sample of the area between the two lungs (the mediastinum) if they believe the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Mesothelioma doctors can recommend which types of biopsies will work best to confirm a diagnosis.
Challenges With Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Doctors may face several challenges when diagnosing mesothelioma in a patient. Since mesothelioma takes decades to develop and is very rare, it can take more time to accurately diagnose the disease.
Learn about these possible challenges below.
Latency Period
Mesothelioma is very unusual since it takes 10-50 years after asbestos exposure before noticeable symptoms appear.
This long latency period means that victims may not even remember being exposed to asbestos-containing products. Victims may also not suspect that their relatively mild symptoms could be caused by mesothelioma.
Misdiagnosis
Since mesothelioma symptoms can mimic those of more common diseases, it can sometimes be misdiagnosed.
For example, mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed as:
- Bronchitis
- Coronary artery disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Crohn’s disease
- Emphysema
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Testicular infection
- Other forms of cancer
A mesothelioma misdiagnosis can have dangerous — even deadly — consequences when it prevents a patient from accessing treatment for this type of cancer. According to a study published in the Open Epidemiology Journal, 22.6% of pleural mesothelioma cases are misdiagnosed as lung cancer.
If you believe you were misdiagnosed, you should seek a second opinion from an experienced specialist. Use our Free Doctor Match service to find a specialist who can give you an accurate second opinion.
Mesothelioma Staging
Staging also presents a challenge when making a mesothelioma diagnosis. Symptoms can be mild or non-existent in the early stages of mesothelioma.
Most people are diagnosed in the later stages of mesothelioma after the symptoms have worsened. By then, chances of long-term survival are decreased since treatment options are limited and focus on palliative (pain-relieving) care.
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), 13% to 16% of patients diagnosed with early-stage mesothelioma will still be alive after 5 years. By contrast, 5% to 10% of patients with late-stage mesothelioma survive 5 years after diagnosis.
Get Help With a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
In the battle against mesothelioma, time is of the essence. Early detection can significantly impact your treatment options and long-term survival. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms or have a history of asbestos exposure, you need to find a mesothelioma doctor who can accurately diagnose your condition.
Mesothelioma Hope can connect you with experienced specialists who understand the complexities of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your health and well-being are our top priorities, and we’re here to guide you toward the care you deserve.
Call us right now at (866) 608-8933 or get started with our Free Doctor Match.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis FAQs
How do they diagnose mesothelioma?
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through a series of different tests. Specialists can make a mesothelioma diagnosis through imaging tests, blood tests, and biopsies. However, a biopsy is the only definitive way to diagnose mesothelioma and other cancers.
What is the most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma?
The most accurate testing method to diagnose mesothelioma is a biopsy. This procedure involves collecting fluid or tissue samples from the affected area to look for cancer cells under a microscope.
How difficult is it to diagnose mesothelioma?
It’s not difficult to diagnosis mesothelioma if you see a skilled doctor who specializes in this type of rare cancer.
Mesothelioma can sometimes be mistaken for other illnesses, so if you think you might have been misdiagnosed, you should get a second opinion from a specialist.
Why does it take so long to diagnose mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma has a very long latency period. It can take 10-50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear after asbestos exposure.
Due to the long latency period of mesothelioma, many patients are not diagnosed until the later stages of the disease.
This is why early detection and medical intervention are important to extend life expectancy.
What should I do if I think I was misdiagnosed?
If you believe you have mesothelioma and were misdiagnosed, it is important to seek a second opinion.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial to ensure you are getting the treatment you need.
Use our Free Doctor Match to find a specialist near you who can confirm your mesothelioma diagnosis.
