Written By: Karen Ritter, RN BSN
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Getting a mesothelioma diagnosis is the first step to starting treatment and killing your tumors. If you’re experiencing mesothelioma symptoms, there are several tests and procedures to determine the cause. Contact a doctor immediately after experiencing signs of mesothelioma.
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Important Facts About Mesothelioma Cell Types
- A biopsy is the only clear-cut way to diagnose mesothelioma. Imaging tests provide evidence through scans.
- Blood marker tests are another diagnostic step, although some doctors go from scans to a biopsy if they’re confident mesothelioma is present.
- There are five imaging tests used for a mesothelioma diagnosis. Five of them are used for both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. One, an echocardiogram, is also used to diagnose pericardial mesothelioma.
- A mesothelioma misdiagnosis happens frequently due to few doctors knowing enough about mesothelioma. It’s imperative to see a specialist for an accurate diagnosis.
How Is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma with imaging and blood tests, followed by a biopsy. A tissue biopsy is the most definitive way to give a mesothelioma diagnosis.
People with a history of asbestos exposure can develop this cancer. However, not everyone will be affected. The rate of occurrence is low, with only 3,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year.
Patients experiencing mesothelioma symptoms like coughing, chest pains or shortness of breath should see their doctor. During the meeting with your doctor, you should explain the symptoms along with your history of asbestos exposure.
How to Test for Mesothelioma
Imaging tests are used to locate abnormalities and troublesome masses inside the body. An X-ray is usually the first mesothelioma test. If worrisome signs are discovered, the doctor likely will request another test. Common imaging tests are: a computed tomography (CT) scan; positron emission tomography (PET) scan; echocardiogram; and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
According to the American Cancer Society, blood levels of specific substances (fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides) are biomarkers. They are higher in mesothelioma patients than in healthy people. While blood tests are not reliable on their own, they can provide insight into the potential of the disease’s presence. They also show how well vital organs are reacting to treatment.
If imaging and blood marker tests indicate the likelihood of someone having cancer, the doctor will refer the patient for a biopsy. A biopsy involves taking a tissue or fluid sample from a specific area, usually where the cancer formed. These samples are examined under a microscope to determine if tumors are present. Examination also involves the cancer’s cell type and the disease’s advancement. It’s the only way to definitively issue a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests are the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. These tests help doctors discover the potential tumor’s location, size and severity. Each imaging test has its own purpose and helps doctors make an accurate diagnosis.
X-Ray – An X-ray provides a two-dimensional image of the patient and can show fluid buildup.
CT scan – CT scans are three-dimensional imaging tests providing detailed images of anomalies.
PET scan – PET scans involve radioactive sugar inserted into the blood for cancerous cells to absorb. A special camera sends a picture of the radioactive energy within the body back to the medical team. The camera also provides real-time footage of cancerous cells. This imaging scan is useful in staging as it shows whether the tumor has spread to lymph nodes or other areas of the body.
MRI scan – MRI scans create detailed images of soft tissue to find the exact location of a tumor or the extent of its spread.
Echocardiogram – An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. Doctors may use this imaging scan if they suspect a patient has pericardial mesothelioma, which is a cancer along the membrane surrounding the heart. An echocardiogram can also be used to assess heart function in patients with suspected mesothelioma. This works for diagnosing both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.
Blood Tests and Biomarkers
Blood and biomarker tests measure a person’s blood levels. While these tests are not often used in a mesothelioma diagnosis, they can help monitor the efficacy of treatment.
The levels of fibulin-3, cancerous antigen 125, osteopontin and soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP) are commonly higher in mesothelioma patients than healthy people. Doctors compare the levels of these substances in people who have mesothelioma to that of baseline levels. This information could impact future treatment.
Mesothelioma Biopsies
A mesothelioma biopsy involves the extraction and examination of tissue or fluid from the body. It’s the final step in the diagnostic process.
By examining the biopsy sample, doctors can analyze the cells and determine if any are cancerous. This is the only way doctors can make a conclusive mesothelioma diagnosis.
The histological makeup of the cancer can also be viewed through tissue examination. Certain cellular makeups respond differently to treatment. There are also different types of biopsies, such as surgical biopsies or needle biopsies.
Surgical Biopsies
Doctors use surgical biopsies to extract tissue from a patient. The tissue sample is sent to a pathologist to examine for the presence of mesothelioma. This procedure is done using traditional surgical methods, needle biopsy or camera-assisted surgery. Surgical biopsies are the best way to give a correct mesothelioma diagnosis.
The various biopsy procedures include:
Thoracotomy
This is a traditional biopsy of the chest cavity, which is useful for diagnosing pleural mesothelioma. Surgeons can also get a firsthand look at the disease.
Thoracotomy – This is a traditional biopsy of the chest cavity, which is useful for diagnosing pleural mesothelioma. Surgeons can also get a firsthand look at the disease.
Thoracoscopy
A thoracoscopy is an alternative, less-invasive chest biopsy for pleural mesothelioma. This method uses a camera.
Thoracoscopy – A thoracoscopy is an alternative, less-invasive chest biopsy for pleural mesothelioma. This method uses a camera.
Laparotomy
This is a traditional biopsy of the abdominal cavity, which is useful for diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma. This biopsy also provides a firsthand look at the disease.
Laparotomy – This is a traditional biopsy of the abdominal cavity, which is useful for diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma. This biopsy also provides a firsthand look at the disease.
Laparoscopy
This is an alternative, less-invasive abdominal biopsy for peritoneal mesothelioma. The biopsy also uses a camera.
Laparoscopy – This is an alternative, less-invasive abdominal biopsy for peritoneal mesothelioma. The biopsy also uses a camera.
Mediastinoscopy
A mediastinoscopy examines the mediastinum. This is the space in the middle of the chest between the lungs. This procedure can be used to determine the severity of a patient’s pleural mesothelioma. Evidence of tumors in the mediastinum indicates a late-stage diagnosis.
Mediastinoscopy – A mediastinoscopy examines the mediastinum. This is the space in the middle of the chest between the lungs. This procedure can be used to determine the severity of a patient’s pleural mesothelioma. Evidence of tumors in the mediastinum indicates a late-stage diagnosis.
Non-Surgical Biopsies
Non-surgical biopsies take fluid samples from the lungs, abdomen or heart. Doctors use a needle to extract the fluid and examine it for the presence of mesothelioma cells. If cancer exists, the fluid may determine the type of cancer.
This method is less invasive than surgical biopsies, but it is not as conclusive as a surgical biopsy either. A fluid biopsy does not allow doctors a firsthand look at the tumor. It’s also difficult to get a lot of cells to examine from fluid.
Histopathology and Cytology Reports
After a patient undergoes a biopsy, the next step in a mesothelioma diagnosis is finding out if cancer is present. This process is part of pathology, and it has two options depending on the type of sample extracted. Histology and cytology reports help doctors study the tissue (histopathology) or fluid (cytology) obtained.
Misdiagnosis
Due to mesothelioma’s rarity, many doctors have not encountered the cancer and can’t accurately diagnose mesothelioma. This results in a high percentage of mesothelioma misdiagnosis compared to other cancers.
Mesothelioma is commonly misdiagnosed because the symptoms are typical to illnesses such as the common cold, flu and pneumonia. To prevent misdiagnosis, patients should seek a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist.
Mesothelioma misdiagnosis also occurs in two other ways. Pathologists with limited or no experience in distinguishing cancer types may mistake mesothelioma for a lung or abdominal cancer.
Mesothelioma is often staged incorrectly, resulting in limited treatment options for patients. You or a family member should consider getting a second opinion to double-check the stage of your mesothelioma diagnosis.
Long-Term Survivor After Misdiagnosis
Mesothelioma survivor Alexis K. was almost diagnosed with a terminal prognosis until seeing additional specialists. They revealed that her mesothelioma diagnosis was treatable. She was initially staged at stage 4.
However, the team of doctors determined it was not stage 4 and that her case was unusual. This change opened up new treatment options. Since mesothelioma is such a unique illness, many doctors don’t have the experience needed to treat it.
“For me, having it diagnosed was just the first step, and getting a second opinion gave me new options as I entered treatment.”
— Alexis Kidd
Alexis received a mesothelioma diagnosis and followed up with a second opinion. She put herself in a better position by staying on top of her own health care and requiring confirmation from a specialist. Take control of your health care and get a second opinion from a specialist by using our free Doctor Match program.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis for Veterans – Getting a Second Opinion
Most veterans with mesothelioma will see a general oncologist within the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system first. Since these doctors aren’t experienced in distinguishing mesothelioma from other diseases, it is important to get a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist. A general oncologist may consider a veteran’s disease to be inoperable or suggest the wrong treatment.
Many times, once a veteran sees a specialist, they learn of more treatments. Additionally, there are three mesothelioma treatment centers in the VA healthcare system. These centers are located at the Boston VA, Houston VA and Los Angeles VA.
How to Get a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
The process for how to get a mesothelioma diagnosis involves three steps:
Reach out to your primary doctor. If they are unable to run tests for cancer, they’ll refer you to an oncologist at a local hospital or a cancer center.
Undergo imaging tests. The most common imaging tests are X-rays, CT scans, PET scans and MRI scans. Each type of scan reveals further proof that the abnormalities shown might be tumors in the lining of your lungs or abdomen.
Receive a biopsy. This is the only way to ensure you get an accuraate mesothelioma diagnosis. Biopsies involve doctors removing tissue or fluid samples to see if any tumors or cancerous proteins exist.
Treatment After Mesothelioma Diagnosis
After doctors have confirmed a mesothelioma diagnosis, they consider the mesothelioma treatment options and create a treatment plan for the patient. This plan is tailored to each patient. Surgery is the best option, but most patients can’t undergo surgery.
Even if a patient has late-stage mesothelioma, the surgeon may try to remove all of the cancer without any life-threatening complications. One major issue with surgery for late-stage mesothelioma patients is the tumor has likely spread to vital organs. Attempting to remove tumors in this scenario would require removing the affected organs, which may not be possible.
Chemotherapy, and radiation are frequently used for patients who can’t undergo surgery. They’re also used in collaboration with surgery. Another option is immunotherapy, which recently received FDA approval. Multimodal treatment involves multiple types of treatment methods and has shown promising results.
In most cases where a patient survives beyond the expected prognosis, their treatment involves a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Learn more about how you can beat the odds after your mesothelioma diagnosis in our free Mesothelioma Survivor’s Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma Diagnosis
How does a doctor diagnose mesothelioma?
Doctors analyze imaging scans and tissue or fluid samples to diagnose mesothelioma. The first step is performing X-rays, CT scans, PET scans and MRI scans on patients. These imaging tests will show visual evidence of mesothelioma. A tissue biopsy will finalize whether or not a patient has this cancer.
What test shows mesothelioma?
Imaging tests show the presence of mesothelioma on scans. However, they’re not 100% conclusive. X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans can show masses that look like tumors, or fluid buildup caused by tumors. Testing a fluid or tissue sample provides scientific proof that cells are diseased and can lead to a mesothelioma diagnosis.
How can a mesothelioma misdiagnosis occur?
Doctors may misdiagnose mesothelioma in numerous ways. The cancer is often mistaken for other, less serious health concerns, or even other types of cancer. A misdiagnosis can also occur by stage. The rarity of mesothelioma means few doctors have experience diagnosing mesothelioma properly.
Last Edited: June 1, 2023.
