Diagnosis of Mesothelioma: Part – 4

Biopsy:

If, after performing all above tests, a doctor suspects mesothelioma, a biopsy should be taken to confirm the mesothelioma diagnoses.

If tests and health history are consistent with mesothelioma, a biopsy allows the doctor to make a conclusive diagnosis. The biopsy is an effective diagnostic tool, but is not used first because the removal of sample of cells or tissue is more invasive than a simple X-ray or blood draw.

The most definitive test for diagnosing mesothelioma is a biopsy (tissue sample) of affected or suspicious tissues. In that doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer removes sample of tissue for microscopic examination by a pathologist. The pathologist usually also looks for the rate of growth and strength of the tumor.

Types of biopsies:

A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located.

•Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: The physician uses a thin needle to remove a sample of possibly-diseased cells.

•Thoracotomy: In this an incision or small cut is made by physician between two ribs to check inside for signs of disease and to collect a tissue sample.

•Thoracoscopy: If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure the incision is made by physician between two ribs and inserts a thin, lighted tube into the chest called a thoroscope. The tube contains a tool to collect cells for examination under a microscope. This test is usually done in a hospital using a local anesthetic or painkiller. If fluid has found in the chest, doctor may drain the fluid out of the body by putting a needle into the chest and using gentle suction to remove the fluid. This is called thoracentesis.

•Peritoneoscopy and laparotomy: If the cancer is found in the abdomen, the doctor may perform peritoneoscopy and laproscopy. These procedures are similar to the thoracoscopy, but the incision is made in the abdominal wall. A thin, lighted tube is used to examine inside the abdomen is called a peritoneoscope. The peritoneoscope is put into an opening made in the abdomen and to collect cells for examination under a microscope. Before the test is done, a local anesthetic will be given. If fluid has collected in your abdomen, your doctor may drain the fluid out of your body by putting a needle into your abdomen and using gentle suction to remove the fluid. This process is called paracentesis.

After the sample has been removed, it will be sent to a pathologist, a physician who specializes in cancer and its diagnosis. This doctor will examine the cells under a microscope to check for any abnormalities that might indicate cancer. In some cases, the first biopsy will remove fluid from around the lungs or from the abdomen. The pathologist will examine the cells found in this fluid for signs of cancer; however, many physicians consider this test insufficient for mesothelioma diagnosis.

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