CT Scan of Mesothelioma Patient

The image to the left is a CT scan of a patient that has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. This coronal section shows the follow parts of the body with the mesothelioma indicated by yellow arrows. The collection of fluid (central pleural effusion) is indicated with a yellow *.

1. right lung
2. spine
3. left lung
4. ribs
5. descending part of the aorta
6. spleen
7. left kidney
8. right kidney
9. liver

Laparoscopy of the Abdomen for Mesothelioma Diagnosis

A laparoscopy will be conducted if the suspicous area is in the abdomen. During a laparoscopy, a doctor will insert a special instrument into the abdominal cavity via a small cut. More extensive surgery may be necessary if a laparoscopy procedure can not produce enough tissue for analysis.

Positive or Suspicious Cytology

During the diagnosis process, if the cytology is positive or suspicious, a biopsy will be needed to determine if mesothelioma is present. A pathologist will examine a sample of tissue (that has been removed by a doctor) under microscope. Depending on where the suspicious area is located, a biopsy may be done in different ways. During a thoracoscopy of the chest, the doctor makes a small incision through the chest wall and will put a narrow, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between the ribs. A thoracoscopy will allow the doctor to see inside the chest and obtain tissue samples.

Diagnosing Mesothelioma is Difficult

Mesothelioma is a very hard disease to diagnose, because symptoms are like those of a number of other diseases. A doctor's diagnosis of a patient suspected of having mesothelioma begins with a review of their medical history. Exposure to asbestos in years past (event more than 30 years prior) will increase a doctor's suspicion for mesothelioma. A physical examination, chest X-rays and lung function tests will follow itial suspicions. X-ray's may show pleural thickening that are often seen after asbestos exposure which may further give believe that a patient has mesothelioma. CT (CAT) scans or MRIs are also usually conducted. If these analysis show large amounts of fluid, abnormal cells may be detected if this fluid is aspirated or removed with a syringe. If this is pleural fluid, a pleural tap (a chest drain) may be conducted.