How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosis is the process of determining the kind of disease that is present. An accurate diagnosis is important because it helps to determine the type of treatment that you will undergo.Doctors may use a number of procedures to aid in the diagnosis of mesothelioma. The most common of those procedures are listed here. Whether one or a combination of these tests are conducted in a given patient’s case will depend on factors unique to the patient. Some tests might first be conducted to determine whether a biopsy should be performed. A biopsy is usually necessary to confirm a diagnosis. • CT scan This type of X-ray provides a very detailed picture of the size and location of the cancer. The images taken are compiled by a computer to create a more complete image of the disease. The procedure is also called a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.
X-rays, chest and lung function tests, CT scans, and MRI’s are all common methods of obtaining images of suspected regions affected by mesothelioma. Biopsies examined by a pathologist are needed to confirm a diagnosis. If mesothelioma is diagnosed, further staging tests will be performed to gain more information about the patient’s specific case.
