Tuesday, June 12, 2007

General mesothelioma diagnosis

Mesothelioma asbestos lungsA mesothelioma diagnosis is most usually gotten with careful evaluation of clinical and radiological discoveries, in addition to a confirmatory tissue biopsy. The patients medical history is looked into, with regards to any exposure to asbestos, and also examined physically using x-rays, and tests for lung function. A CT scan or MRI may be used also at this time. Imaging techniques and their value in diagnosing and assessing mesothelioma. The use of imaging techniques in mesothelioma diagnosis has been proved useful following the patients previous history. Although, these imaging techniques have been very helpful in the diagnosis of the possibility of mesothelioma cancers, comfirmatory diagnosis is still usually ascertained using fluid diagnosis or tissue biopsy.

Here are some of the commonly used imaging techniques:

1. X-ray. In pleural mesothelioma, x-ray can unfold pleural effusion which is enclosed to either the right (60%) or left (40%) lung. Occasionally, a mass can be seen.

2. Computed tomography (CT). CT scans are also use for defining pleural effusion, thickening of the pleura, calcification of the pleura, or for chest wall invasion, in pleural mesothelioma. CT, however, cannot differentiate the alterations related to benign pleural disease, or differentiate between mesothelioma cancers and lung adenocarcinoma.

3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI scans are often times aimed at determining the size of tumor. They have also shown to be more accurate than CT scans in the evaluating the expansion of the mediastinal lymph nodes, and also getting a clear diaphragmatic surface, both of which are very vital in surgical candidacy.

4. Positron emission tomography (PET). PET imaging is presently becoming a vital part of mesothelioma diagnosis and evaluation. PET scans are very expensive, buy they are presently considered the best in stage determination of mesothelioma cancers, and the best in tumour sites diagnosis.

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