How do I Know If I Have Mesothelioma?

A Health Care Article Contributed by Teresa Phillips

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that it typically associated with asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma occurs when malignant (cancerous) cells arise in the lining surrounding the heart, the abdominal cavity and/or the lining in the chest. Asbestos is a fiber that is often used in buildings or homes as a fire retardant or an insulation device. Although asbestos was commonly used in older buildings, its recent link to mesothelioma had made several products banned from construction usage today. However, the fiber still exists, usually in older homes or buildings.

When microscopic asbestos fibers are released into the air, either from decay, damage or disturbance, they are ingested into a person's body as they breathe and can often stick to the lungs and/or other areas inside the body. These particles can be dangerous to a person's health and over time (sometimes decades later), they can develop some form of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, although a rare disease, can be quite dangerous and lead to fatal consequences if a line of treatment is not determined immediately upon diagnosis.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not show up for many years after the initial exposure with asbestos and occasionally, there are no symptoms at all, leading to a delay in diagnosis and a more challenging treatment regimen down the road.

Symptoms can begin as very non-specific -- shortness of breath, chest pains and/or symptoms resembling pneumonia are common. Additionally, some types of mesothelioma can be in the form of weight loss, night sweats, or fever.

Research shows that when a person has mesothelioma, 80 percent of the time their right lung is affected. To that end, generally a chest X-ray will be used and will reveal an excess of fluid in the lining between the chest cavity and the lung. This will almost always confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.

How Will My Doctor Check for Mesothelioma?

A physician will generally ask for extensive information from a patient regarding his or her possible exposure to asbestos when he or she checks a patient for mesothelioma. Additionally, the physician will ask a patient about any of the symptoms listed above (chest pains, shortness of breath, night sweats, fever, swelling of the feet, nausea, bowel obstruction or pain or swelling in the abdomen).

The most common test to determine if a patient has mesothelioma is a C-T scan or chest X-ray. Since the most common indicator of mesothelioma is the presence of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity, doctors must perform a chest X-ray of some sort to determine the best possible treatment regimen.

Occasionally, a doctor will perform a test called a "diagnostic thoracentesis", which is an exam by which cells are taken from the lining of the chest (called the pleura area) and studied. Although this test is not as effective as chest X-ray, it is often used in addition to other exams to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.

MRIs are also sometimes used as a way to asses the presence or the increase in size of a tumor within the chest wall or cavity.