Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Individuals with mesothelioma often notice pain or a "heavy" or full feeling in the involved area. If mesothelioma occurs in the pleura, shortness of breath and chest pain are common. If mesothelioma occurs in the peritoneum, abdominal swelling and stomach pain may develop. A chest x-ray or CT scan often reveals a mass accompanied by fluid accumulation. A biopsy is necessary to properly diagnose mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose and is often confused with other cancers like lung cancer and sarcoma.

To diagnose pleural mesothelioma, a doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. This procedure requires a doctor to look inside the chest cavity with an instrument called a thoracoscope. The doctor inserts this instrument through a small incision between two ribs. The procedure is done under local anesthetic or painkiller and is performed in a hospital.

To diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma, a doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. Here, a doctor looks inside the abdomen with an instrument called a peritoneoscope. The doctor inserts this instrument through an incision made in the abdomen. This procedure is usually done under local anesthetic and is performed in a hospital.

Like many cancers, the prognosis for Mesothelioma depends on several factors including how early it is detected and how aggressively it is treated. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.