How Mesothelioma is Diagnosed
All patients have a unique path to a diagnosis, but the most important factors to an accurate diagnosis are imaging scans and biopsies. Doctors use several tests to diagnose mesothelioma. Most people initially undergo a basic chest X-ray to check for any abnormalities. If abnormal growth is detected, a doctor will recommend a more detailed imaging scan like a PET scan, CT scan or MRI. If mesothelioma is suspected, a biopsy will be recommended. In a biopsy, a tissue sample is collected to confirm the presence of mesothelioma cells.
Blood tests for mesothelioma are also available, but they do not confirm the presence of mesothelioma. Research and development is underway to determine if mesothelioma blood tests can aid in early diagnosis for at-risk former asbestos workers.
Staging
There are at least five systems that doctors use for the staging of pleural mesothelioma. Older systems like those created by Drs. Butchart and Sugarbaker did not classify tumors with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) descriptors, so the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG) developed the detailed IMIG staging system in 1995. This system is the most widely used staging system for mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Treatment options for mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Many mesothelioma doctors prefer to combine two or more of these treatments, an approach known as multimodal therapy. Clinical trials show this approach has improved survival rates.
Surgery
Curative surgery is available for early stage patients, while palliative surgery is best for late-stage patients and helps to ease symptoms.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often combined with surgery or radiation therapy to kill malignant cells, shrink tumors, prevent recurrence and relieve symptoms.
Radiation
Radiation therapy is used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery to kill cancer cells, manage tumors and prevent tumor seeding.
Palliative treatments that ease symptoms are quite common for patients of all stages. Experimental therapies like immunotherapy are showing progress for the future of mesothelioma treatment. Additionally, less traditional alternative treatments are available and widely touted by mesothelioma survivors.
Mesothelioma Doctors & Treatment Centers
Mesothelioma doctors encompass a number of specialties, including surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and palliative care specialists. All can be part of a mesothelioma treatment team. Working with a mesothelioma specialist can make all the difference in your treatment.
The most regarded mesothelioma treatment centers attract patients from across the country. Renowned for their cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking research, these centers connect patients with a multidisciplinary team of physicians with years of experience in treating mesothelioma.
No comments:
Post a Comment