Screening and Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

of various types of cancer screening is defined as the National Cancer Institute review, or testing for early signs of certain cancers, although the person can not have any symptoms yet.

It is important that screening for mesothelioma due to the time it takes from the time of asbestos exposure to onset of symptoms. It may take up to 30 years after exposure for symptoms to start. Start screened is ideal, especially for someone who had previously been exposed to asbestos or have immediate family who have been exposed to asbestos.

Screening usually consists of several steps. The first step was to create a meeting with your doctor. Depending on how you practice your doctor is he / she may refer you to another doctor. doctor will probably look inside your chest with something called thorascope. Usually during this process, cut will be made ​​in the chest and a small piece of tissue can be removed for examination. This is called a biopsy.

Other options for screening of mesothelioma have x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) or computed tomography (CT). All other listed types of screening were done with imaging.

Recognizing the symptoms associated with mesothelioma will likely help in earlier diagnosis. Some of the symptoms of the mesothelioma (dyspnea) or difficulty in breathing, nausea or vomiting, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, (hemoptysis) or coughing up blood, hoarseness in. Some other symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the type of mesothelioma you have. For example, someone with pleural mesothelioma may have chest pain or lower back and one with peritoneal mesothelioma may have abdominal pain and a wider waist size because of swelling.

It is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible if any signs or symptoms of mesothelioma appear. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma can be easily mistaken for other ailments. It is important to ask your doctor about anything that may be causing you discomfort.