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Mesothelioma Cancer Online
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A tissue biopsy is normally the final determining factor, although you probably took many different cancer tests leading up to your diagnosis. Following are some cancer tests your doctor may recommend, and what may or may not be concluded from these cancer tests. On conventional x-ray film, mesothelioma cancer appears as a markedly thickened, nodular, irregular pleural-based mass which covers the pleural surface. The cancer tumor often encompasses the involved lung, but is only rarely seen bilaterally.
Diaphragmatic, chest wall, and mediastinal invasion may be seen in advanced cancer cases. Moderate to large pleural effusion is often noted on the affected side. On CT scan, pleural thickening greater than 1 cm can be identified in over 90% of cancer cases; thickening which extends into the interlobular fissure is seen in 85% of cancer cases. Absence of pleural thickening does not preclude mesothelioma cancer, and at times, the only CT finding is that of pleural effusion. Cytology is a cancer testing of the pleural fluid for malignant cells is considered to have limited value in diagnosing mesothelioma cancer. Negative or inconclusive readings account for nearly 85% of all fluid tested. Many doctors prefer to perform a confirming tissue biopsy as long as it does not compromise the patient's health, even with a positive fluid report. Needle Biopsy test done under local anesthetic, a large hollow needle is inserted through the skin and into the chest cavity. Because of the small sample size of the tissue, this type of biopsy is considered to be only 25-60% accurate in diagnosing mesothelioma cancer. The needle is rotated, and as it is taken out, tissue samples are collected. Because tumor seeding may occur along the needle tract in approximately 20% of patients, local radiation therapy may be used in conjunction with this cancer test. Open biopsy is a type of biopsy is considered to be the most accurate for mesothelioma cancer diagnosis, and is the procedure of choice because it affords the pathologist a larger tissue sample. It is done in a hospital under general anesthetic. Local radiation may be used because of the possibility of cancer tumor seeding with a needle biopsy. |