Diagnosis of mesothelioma

Early symptoms of mesotheliomas are not specific. These patients are often ignored or taken for normal manifestations of non-tumorous diseases. In most patients, mesothelioma symptoms appear within 2-3 months prior to the detection of tumors. In some patients symptoms may persist for 6 months or more. Approximately 50% of patients with pleural mesothelioma noted pain in the lower chest to the side or rear surface. Many patients complain of shortness of breath. In some cases there is difficulty swallowing, coughing, sweating, weakness, weight loss and fever.



Other symptoms can point to the voice hoarseness, coughing up blood, swelling of the face and upper extremities. In patients with mesothelioma of the peritoneum can abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss. Some patients may receive the fluid in the abdomen (ascites) and / or tumor. If you suspect that mesothelioma is an urgent need to see a doctor to find out the presence of risk factors and appoint survey. During the examination the doctor can detect the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity (pleurisy), abdomen (ascites) or the pericardium (pericarditis), which occurs as a result of tumor development.

Chest x-ray can detect pleural thickening, the presence of calcifications (mineral deposits) in the pleura and the fluid in the pleural cavity. Computed tomography (CT) allows diagnosis of mesothelioma and to determine the prevalence of the process (stage). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help identify lesions diaphragm - the muscle tissue that separates the chest and abdomen.

Thoracoscopy (examination of the pleural cavity through a special apparatus) can not only identify the tumor, but to do a biopsy (take a piece of tissue for research) or to obtain fluid for microscopic examination to clarify the diagnosis. Laparoscopy (examination of the abdominal cavity using the device) you can explore the abdominal cavity, take a piece of tumor or fluid for research. Stages (prevalence) mesothelioma

Currently differ only stage mesothelioma of the pleura, as occurs much more often than other locations. Excrete 4 stages of pleural mesothelioma. Stage I - tumor affects pleura on the left or right, with the lymph nodes are not involved in the process. Stage II - a unilateral lesion of the pleura and spread of tumor to the diaphragm or the lung tissue. Stage III - a unilateral lesion of the pleura and distribution process on the front chest wall, or adipose tissue of mediastinum, or pericardium, or lymph nodes on the side of mesothelioma. Stage IV - mesothelioma involves the process of muscle or ribs, or sprouts diaphragm, or esophagus, trachea, thymus gland, the major blood vessels, or spine, or transferred to the other side, or spread through the bloodstream to distant organs.