Studies in mesothelioma
The doctor will first ask about the history and in particular whether there has in the past worked with asbestos. The occupations with the highest risk are workers in shipbuilding and in the heating industry. At the physical examination, a damping can be found on the lung as a result of the moisture. About this area of attenuation is less breath sounds heard. Sometimes the tumor through the chest wall to grow out.
On chest radiography, moisture and thickening of the lung membranes seen. This is almost always unilateral. A CT scan of the chest gives better information on where the tumor is in the lung membranes. It is important pathological examination in order to determine whether this fluid or changes to the lung membranes actually based on a mesothelioma. Therefore, the moisture and a piece of the lung membranes investigated. This can be done by using a needle through the skin to suck up some moisture. Usually has fought a bloody respect. The piece is a blind pleural biopsy through the skin or done through keyhole surgery (thoracoscopy).
These studies done to diagnose mesothelioma ensure and to the extent of the tumor to determine because of possible treatment. After this, a tentative ruling on life expectancy. Because of the far reaching consequences of the mesothelioma diagnosis and the difficulties in the correct interpretation of the histological findings, a national body (the mesothelioma panel) that the obtained tissue also assesses and inconclusive about the likelihood of a mesothelioma. The definition of the extent of the tumor is done on the basis of the T (for tumor size and location), the N-(all of which are unaffected by or lymph nodes) and M (for spreading to other organs) status. On the basis of this, a classification into four stages.
Usual addition to the CT scan of the chest and upper abdomen an investigation into the condition of the skeleton to do through a skeletal scan (a study using a radioactive substance) or MRI scan of pelvis and spine and research or it has spread in the central nervous system by means of a CT scan of the brains. Through laboratory research any metastases detected and whether there are abnormalities in terms of the salt (sodium) content and lime (calcium) content. It is also important to measure the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes) because of the possibility of treatment with cytostatics.
Which role plays the PET scan in the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer is currently unclear.
