Mesothelioma Settlement

Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose. The symptoms are often nonspecific and may be indicative of many other health conditions. Diagnosis is made using the following techniques: medical history, physical examination, x-ray, CT or MRI scan, cytology, biopsy, thoracoscopy, and laparoscopy.

The first step in diagnosis is to take the patient’s medical history. If the medical history demonstrates that the patient has been exposed to asbestos, desmoplastic mesothelioma may be suspected. The physician should determine f the patient has worked with asbestos or been exposed in some other manner. For example, the physician should determine if the one of the patient’s family members works with the material. The physician should also determine if the patient lived or worked near a facility that milled or mined asbestos containing ore or where products containing the material were manufactured.

A physical examination is conducted. The physical examination may provide information to indicate the presence of mesotheloma. A patient with pleural mesothelioma may present with pleural effusion, which is the presence of fluid in the chest cavity. A patient with peritoneal mesotheloma may exhibit ascites, which is fluid in the abdominal cavity.  Patients with pericardial mesothelioma often present with fluid in the pericardium. In addition, a lung function test should be performed. This test is used to diagnose lung disease of various kinds and to determine the severity of lung problems. Other signs and symptoms of pleural mesothelioma evident on examination are pain in the lower back of the chest, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, and cough. Signs and symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Imaging studies are used to look for signs of mesothelioma. A chest x-ray may show thickening of the pleura, calcium deposits, and fluid in the pleural cavity. Imaging studies (i.e., x-ray, CT scan or MRI scan) are used to determine the location and extent of the cancer. CT scans can be used to stage the cancer.

Large amounts of fluid in the body cavities may be removed with a syringe. This fluid can be tested for the presence of abnormal cells. With the present of persistent effusion, atypical mesothelial cells are in suggestive of mesothelioma. The absence of abnormal cells does not completely rule out mesothelioma as a diagnosis but makes it less likely. If mesothelioma is suspected, a biopsy is taken.

A biopsy is used to confirm the diagnosis. A tissue sample is removed from the affected area and examined under the microscope. In the case of suspected pleura mesothelioma, a thoracoscopy may be performed. In a thoracoscopy the physician makes a small incision through the wall of the chest between two ribs. A thin tube with a light (thoracoscope) is inserted. This permits the physician look examine the area and obtain a tissue sample. In the case of suspected peritoneal mesothelioma, a laparoscopy is performed. A small incision is made and a laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen. The physician can examine the affected area through the laparoscope and obtain a tissue sample. A biopsy is performed on any tissue removes to determine if malignant cells are present.