pet scan mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a serious cancer that progresses quickly and aggressively. However, the diagnosis of this cancer is not done until it has reached a stage advanced. This is mainly due to two reasons:

1-mesothelioma has a long latency period. In a typical case, between 20 and 50 years between exposure to asbestos and the onset of first symptoms of the disease appears.

2-Most of the early warning symptoms are not specific for mesothelioma, which often resemble symptoms of other conditions that are much less severe. For example, the first symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may appear similar to influenza or pneumonia, and this can result in misdiagnosis.

The early diagnosis

Mesothelioma patients often be diagnosed within three to six months after their first visit to a doctor when they complain of difficulty breathing or chest and abdominal pain.

The first step was in the diagnosis is to provide a thorough and accurate medical history to your doctor, this should include details on the issues of current and past health and the types of symptoms that currently experiencing. A mention of any exposure to asbestos is essential. Without disclosing this fact, your doctor can not consider the disease in asbestos-related diagnosis. Then, patients will undergo a physical exam where a doctor will examine you for certain physical signs in different areas of the body are suggestive of diagnosis. Most likely, the next step of the doctor will recommend further testing.

Tests Diagnostic

If your doctor suspects a good clinical asbestos-related disease, he / she then requests for certain confirm the presence of mesothelioma, determine the location, size and type of cancer involved, and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This often requires imaging tests, such as:

-Ray: This is the most commonly used imaging test for the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Almost all diagnoses involving an X-ray, but more sophisticated testing can continue.

-CT Scan: An X-ray as a procedure in which several X-ray images are taken and combines with a computer to produce detailed images of body tissues. If you are undergoing a CT scan, you may receive an intravenous injection of contrast medium that helps to produce more detailed images.

-PET Scan: a glucose solution is administered by intravenous injection, and a scanner is used to detect deposits of cancer cells. Malignant cells take up and use sugar faster than normal cells, so they can easily distinguished using this procedure.

MRI Scan: A combination of radio waves and a strong magnetic field is used to create detailed images in three dimensions that can be carefully examined by a radiologist.

Test fluids and tissues

These tests, also known as biopsy evidence, involve the collection of small samples of tissue or fluid and control for the presence of cancer cells. These tests are actually used to diagnose definitive cancer. These tests include:

* Fine Needle Aspiration: mesothelioma cancer cause fluid to accumulate in the places affected, as in pleural membrane of the lungs. During a fine needle aspiration, the surgeon will remove a sample of fluid with a needle very long, thin and hollow.

* Thoracoscopy: thoracoscopy is used in case of suspicion of pleural or pericardial mesothelioma. During this procedure a tiny incision in the chest wall, through which one extracts a tissue sample.

* The bronchoscopy and laparoscopy: These procedures are similar to thoracoscopy, but are held in different parts the body. Bronchoscopy is used to view the trachea and airways, while laparoscopy is used to extract samples of peritoneal tissue.

* Mediastinoscopy: This procedure is used to view the lymph nodes in the chest and neck to determine if cancer has spread from its point of origin. What should do after receiving the diagnosis? If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, your doctor will recommend an "oncologist (a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer), who is well versed in treating the disease and help determine the best treatment options.

Patients also should educate themselves about mesothelioma and treatment options and arrive at the resources available to cope with a mesothelioma diagnosis easier.

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Bello kamorudeen.For complete information on mesothelioma visit

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