Biopsy. Biopsy, a procedure to remove a small portion of tissue for laboratory examination, is the only way to determine whether you have mesothelioma. Depending on what area of your body is affected, your doctor selects the right biopsy procedure for you.
Why it is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma?
- Why Mesothelioma Is Hard to Diagnose. This cancer is known to be hard to diagnose. One of the reasons is the long latency period between asbestos exposure and the diagnosis of the disease. The typical latency period for mesothelioma is at least 10 years and up to 40 years.
How do doctors diagnose mesothelioma?
- - Take a patient’s thorough work and medical history. - Order imaging studies, such as X-rays, CTs, and PET scans. - Perform biopsies.
What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
- Causes and Risk Factors. A risk factor can be used to determine which populations are more likely to develop mesothelioma. ...
- Asbestos Exposure Is the Leading Risk Factor for Mesothelioma. ...
- Age,Gender,and Occupation. ...
- Smoking and General Health with Asbestos Exposure. ...
- Other Minerals May Contribute to Mesothelioma. ...
- The SV40 Virus. ...
- Genetic Factors. ...
How do we diagnose mesothelioma?
- - Difficulty breathing or swallowing - Fluid in or around the lungs - Chest or abdomen pain - Respiratory complications - Shortness of breath
Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to develop after asbestos exposure. It is very rare to have a mesothelioma latency period of less than 15 years. The majority of adults with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the workplace, and it took decades for their cancer to develop.