Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosis - Taking a Sample

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosis - Taking a Sample

Diagnosing mesothelioma can be a bit difficult as symptoms are similar to those of lung cancer. Thought to have a fair diagnosis X-Rays, CT Scans, PET scans and MRI scans can be carried out. However to get accurate conclusion, a physician usually recommends biopsy. Biopsy is a surgical procedure to collect tissue samples or fluid and further analyzed under microscope. Through biopsy test, type of cells can be determined so that appropriate treatment can be carried out. The biopsy procedure is carried out depending upon the affected area. If the patient is suffering from the accumulation of fluids in chest (pleural effusion), then a long hollow needle can be inserted in chest cavity and sample of fluid is aspirated. Same procedure is carried out if the person has fluid accumulation in abdomen or in heart area. There are also different ways to take a sample tissue like to insert a needle in chest cavity and then rotated it, the tissue samples get collected as needle is taken out.

However this procedure may prove dangerous as there is chance of tumor seeding along with the needle tract and may be radiation therapy can be applied. The tissue sample can also be obtained by a new technique called thoroscopy. In this type of procedure thoroscope (a telescope-like instrument connected to a video camera) is inserted through a small incision in the patient's chest and the physican can see tumor through thoroscope. With the aid of special forecep, a sample of the tumor can then be removed. This technique is usually done under a local anesthesia and is usually performed in the case of pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma.In peritoneal mesothelioma, laparoscopy is performed to obtain tumor sample.

This procedure is similar to that of thoroscopy which is performed in abdominal cavity instead of chest. In this procedure tube is attached to video camera and is inserted in abdominal cavity through a small cut. There are other different procedures also to get the sample tissues such as VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery), in this procedure several small cuts are made in the chest wall, a camera and required surgical instruments are inserted to collect tissue samples. Mediastinoscopy, where breast bone tiny incision is made and tube is inserted and then moved down in chest. Peritoneoscopy, physician can see inside abdomen. Bronchoscopy, is used to diagnose pleural mesothelioma though inserting a tube in bronchi.