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If you suspect you have mesothelioma due to a history of asbestos exposure and new or worsening symptoms of this disease, you should schedule an exam with your doctor. While it can be scary to consider the possibility of a mesothelioma diagnosis, the only way to know for sure is for your doctor to run the appropriate diagnostic tests. As your appointment approaches, consider what tests you should expect and how they can help with early detection of mesothelioma.
How Will Your Physical Exam Help You Get Diagnosed?
At the start of your exam, your doctor will discuss your medical history with you, including when and how you were exposed to asbestos. This is the chance for you to explain any symptoms you have that might indicate mesothelioma.
The symptoms of this condition vary depending on which organs are affected. For most people with mesothelioma, the cancer cells are in the lungs, so they have pleural mesothelioma. Some of the most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Pleural effusion
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Loss of appetite
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
Once you have explained your symptoms and history of asbestos exposure, you will undergo a physical exam where your doctor uses a stethoscope to check your lungs, abdomen, and heart for signs of this condition. If your doctor detects anything unusual, they will schedule some diagnostic tests that look for cancer cells in your body.
What Kinds of Imaging Tests Do Doctors Use to Diagnose Mesothelioma?
One way to look for damage caused by mesothelioma is by using imaging tests, which use advanced techniques to take pictures of the inside of the body. Some imaging methods that can help diagnose mesothelioma include:
- X-rays of the chest to detect pleural thickening and other lung issues
- Echocardiograms, which are ultrasounds of the heart that look for fluid buildup
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to identify the type of cancer it is and how fast it has progressed
- Computed tomography (CT) scans to detect the location of the cancer
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scans to determine if the cancer has spread
Imaging tests can provide more information to doctors when they suspect an issue but are unsure of the exact diagnosis. So, if your symptoms, history of asbestos exposure, and physical exam results suggest you could have mesothelioma, your doctor will order imaging tests. Depending on the results, these tests could rule out mesothelioma, or they could prompt your doctor to order a biopsy for a better look at your cells.
Do You Need a Biopsy?
The most straightforward way to determine if you have cancer is through a biopsy. This diagnostic test involves collecting tissue or fluid from your body to examine under a microscope. If this test shows the presence of cancerous cells in certain organs, you will likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma.
There are a few types of biopsies that your doctor can use to diagnose mesothelioma, including:
- Fluid biopsy, during which your doctor uses a needle to extract fluid from your abdomen, chest, or the sac around your heart
- Needle biopsy, during which your doctor uses a needle to remove a small amount of tissue to be tested for cancer cells
- Endoscopic biopsy, in which your doctor uses a tube with a camera and light – an endoscope – to view the inside of the body while taking a tissue sample
- Surgical biopsy, where your doctor makes an incision in the abdomen or chest to extract tissue for testing or even remove the tumor if possible
Medical professionals usually start with the least invasive biopsy technique if this allows them to get enough fluid or tissue for testing, but they will progress down the list to the more invasive options if this is required for a diagnosis. After all, the sooner you’re diagnosed, the sooner you can start treatment and potentially increase your life expectancy.
If you’re worried about how you’ll afford your treatment plan after your diagnosis, consider bringing a legal claim against the company that caused your asbestos exposure. The mesothelioma lawyers at Frost Law Firm will help with this, so call 866-FROST-WINS to learn about your legal options after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
