Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Actual diagnosis of mesothelioma is determined with a tissue biopsy, although doctors employ various techniques to rule out other medical conditions and determine the location and extent of the cancer when mesothelioma is present.

Assessment for mesothelioma typically begins much like standard medical evaluations. Your general physician or oncologist will review your medical history, discuss your occupational exposure or second-hand exposure to asbestos, and conduct a thorough physical examination.

This will be followed with other diagnostic procedures that may include a blood test to check your levels of osteopontin and soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRPs). Osteopontin is a type of protein that is most prominent in bones and teeth, and SMRPs are types of molecules that can bond to amino acids; elevated levels of osteopontin and SMRPs are common among mesothelioma victims.

Your doctor may also conduct pulmonary testing to evaluate your lung function, as well as employ X-rays, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) to pinpoint the presence of tumors and fluid accumulation. Depending on the type of physician who conducted your diagnosis, you may be referred to an oncologist who specializes in mesothelioma for further testing and treatment.