The Maune Raichle Law Firm

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

The Diagnosis of mesothelioma is made only after careful study and evaluation of chest x-rays, CAT scans, and often tissue biopsies. Despite the fact that tissue biopsy is the most conclusive way to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, it is not always used because it can be a very invasive procedure and a difficult one depending on the location of the cancer. Although mesothelioma is truly a classification of many individual cancers, it is quite common for the different types of mesothelioma to be initially described solely as mesothelioma, or a cancer of the mesothelium.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma is not always indicative of the cause of the cancer, although a large percentage of pleural mesotheliomas are caused by exposure to asbestos and develop following asbestosis. It remains difficult to pinpoint the cause of many mesothelioma cases, especially peritoneal mesothelioma, even as the number of people diagnosed with mesothelioma explodes. The most common known cause is direct exposure to early forms of asbestos and, as such, it is a common conception that the diagnosis of mesothelioma indicates previous exposure to asbestos.

After diagnosis, tissue samples can help doctors further define specific cases of mesothelioma and determine the treatment which will be most effective. Many different treatment regimens and plans have been developed and are each associated with specific factors associated with each specific case. Even though chemotherapy is the most effective treatment for the vast majority of cases, benign cases of mesothelioma often require only the removal of the tumor and no further treatment. Diagnosis of mesothelioma, regardless of further classification, does not define treatment as there are treatment regimens available, making it important to consult with an oncologist who has specific experience with mesothelioma treatment before deciding on treatment.