The diagnosis of mesothelioma typically occurs within six months after a patient first visits his doctor with breathing difficulties or pain in the chest or abdomen. The initial step is to furnish an accurate and complete history of all medical problems, including current health issues, past problems, and a detailed description of your current symptoms. At this stage, it is critical that you mention any asbestos exposure you may have experienced in the past. If your doctor is aware that such exposure has occurred, he or she can be sure to consider the possibility of a disease related to asbestos, which can expedite a diagnosis.
The doctor will perform a physical examination to search for potential explanations for the symptoms you are experiencing. Because many symptoms of mesothelioma can also indicate other diseases, all possibilities must be considered. Unless a definite diagnosis can be made, he will order further tests.
Diagnostic Tests for Mesothelioma
If mesothelioma is suspected, your doctor will want to confirm that the disease is present, where it is located, determine the type and size of the cancer, and discover whether the disease has spread. There are several tests she can order to help answer these questions.
Imaging Tests
Chest X-ray: This is typically the first imaging test your doctor will order. It is often inadequate to provide a proper prognosis, and so additional tests may be ordered.
CT Scan: Sometimes referred to as a CAT scan, this is similar to an X-ray but produces multiple images that are then assimilated by a computer to allow viewing of the tissue in greater detail. Patients receiving a CT scan are sometimes injected with a dye that will create greater contrast, thus providing greater detail.
PET Scan: Cancerous cells use and absorb sugars differently than healthy cells. This allows a PET scan to be an efficient method of detecting them. You will be given an injection of glucose and then a scanner will be used to identify any cells that are absorbing the glucose abnormally.
MRI: An MRI creates highly detailed images in three dimensions that allow a trained radiologist to identify any suspicious areas. The procedure uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce the images.
Tissue and Fluid Tests
Your doctor may want to perform a biopsy of the suspicious area. This involves retrieving a sample of the tissue or fluid and then testing the sample for cancerous cells. There are four main types of biopsies your doctor may choose to order.
Fine Needle Aspiration: Mesothelioma typically leads to a build-up of fluids in the area afflicted, such as the mesothelium, or lining, in the chest cavity. To perform a fine needle aspiration, the doctor uses an extremely thin, long needle to extract a fluid sample.
Thoracoscopy: If the doctor wishes to confirm or eliminate pericardial or pleural mesothelioma, he may order a thoracoscopy. This involves a tiny incision in the chest wall to obtain a tissue sample.
Laparoscopy or Bronchoscopy: These two procedures are conducted on different areas of the body. A bronchoscopy may be ordered to check the airway and trachea. A laparoscopy involves the removal of a sample from of the tissue from the peritoneal area.
Mediastinoscopy: This test is used to examine the lymph nodes located in the neck and chest to see if the cancer has spread from its initial site.
Diagnosis Codes for Mesothelioma
Standardized codes have been assigned to the various types of mesothelioma. You may not encounter their use, but it is helpful to have them available should your doctor refer to them or should you encounter them while performing research.
* ICD-9 code 163: Pleural mesothelioma
* ICD-9 code 158: Peritoneal mesothelioma
* ICD-9 code 164: Pericardial mesothelioma
patient diagnosisAfter Mesothelioma is Confirmed
Your primary care physician, if he has not already done so, will likely refer you to an oncologist, or a doctor who specializes in cancer, who has experience treating mesothelioma. The oncologist will help you to determine which treatment options are best for you. You should also perform your own research, educating yourself on the various options available so that you can better discuss them with your physician. You might also wish to locate any available sources for support during this difficult time.
The doctor will perform a physical examination to search for potential explanations for the symptoms you are experiencing. Because many symptoms of mesothelioma can also indicate other diseases, all possibilities must be considered. Unless a definite diagnosis can be made, he will order further tests.
Diagnostic Tests for Mesothelioma
If mesothelioma is suspected, your doctor will want to confirm that the disease is present, where it is located, determine the type and size of the cancer, and discover whether the disease has spread. There are several tests she can order to help answer these questions.
Imaging Tests
Chest X-ray: This is typically the first imaging test your doctor will order. It is often inadequate to provide a proper prognosis, and so additional tests may be ordered.
CT Scan: Sometimes referred to as a CAT scan, this is similar to an X-ray but produces multiple images that are then assimilated by a computer to allow viewing of the tissue in greater detail. Patients receiving a CT scan are sometimes injected with a dye that will create greater contrast, thus providing greater detail.
PET Scan: Cancerous cells use and absorb sugars differently than healthy cells. This allows a PET scan to be an efficient method of detecting them. You will be given an injection of glucose and then a scanner will be used to identify any cells that are absorbing the glucose abnormally.
MRI: An MRI creates highly detailed images in three dimensions that allow a trained radiologist to identify any suspicious areas. The procedure uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce the images.
Tissue and Fluid Tests
Your doctor may want to perform a biopsy of the suspicious area. This involves retrieving a sample of the tissue or fluid and then testing the sample for cancerous cells. There are four main types of biopsies your doctor may choose to order.
Fine Needle Aspiration: Mesothelioma typically leads to a build-up of fluids in the area afflicted, such as the mesothelium, or lining, in the chest cavity. To perform a fine needle aspiration, the doctor uses an extremely thin, long needle to extract a fluid sample.
Thoracoscopy: If the doctor wishes to confirm or eliminate pericardial or pleural mesothelioma, he may order a thoracoscopy. This involves a tiny incision in the chest wall to obtain a tissue sample.
Laparoscopy or Bronchoscopy: These two procedures are conducted on different areas of the body. A bronchoscopy may be ordered to check the airway and trachea. A laparoscopy involves the removal of a sample from of the tissue from the peritoneal area.
Mediastinoscopy: This test is used to examine the lymph nodes located in the neck and chest to see if the cancer has spread from its initial site.
Diagnosis Codes for Mesothelioma
Standardized codes have been assigned to the various types of mesothelioma. You may not encounter their use, but it is helpful to have them available should your doctor refer to them or should you encounter them while performing research.
* ICD-9 code 163: Pleural mesothelioma
* ICD-9 code 158: Peritoneal mesothelioma
* ICD-9 code 164: Pericardial mesothelioma
patient diagnosisAfter Mesothelioma is Confirmed
Your primary care physician, if he has not already done so, will likely refer you to an oncologist, or a doctor who specializes in cancer, who has experience treating mesothelioma. The oncologist will help you to determine which treatment options are best for you. You should also perform your own research, educating yourself on the various options available so that you can better discuss them with your physician. You might also wish to locate any available sources for support during this difficult time.
