How Do Mesothelioma Blood Tests Determine Whether to Seek Treatment?

While not everyone who is diagnosed with mesothelioma will have a life-threatening illness, the odds are that someone you know has been exposed to asbestos. This is one reason why it is important to know the symptoms of mesothelioma before you become too ill to act.

The most common symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness of breath accompanied by coughing and chest pain. Some people may also experience vomiting and nausea. The symptoms of mesothelioma may come and go, but the more severe cases often last for months or even years.

You may also experience high fever, weight loss, fatigue, persistent cough, irritability, red eyes, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, and difficulty swallowing. If you have experienced any of these symptoms and do not think they are mesothelioma symptoms, you should consult your doctor.

The first step in making a diagnosis of mesothelioma is to have the patient undergo a lung scan and mesothelioma biopsy. These scans and biopsies are done by the doctor to determine if the cancer has spread to the lungs. In some cases, a surgical procedure is performed to remove the affected area.

One way the lung cancer spreads is through the fibers in the lungs that connect it to the chest wall. A person with advanced mesothelioma diagnosis may experience respiratory failure and pneumonia, as well as shortness of breath and chest pain, but he or she may also develop esophageal adenocarcinoma.

The second type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. In this type of mesothelioma, the cells in the lining of the lungs are affected.

Mesothelioma blood tests can help detect the early diagnosis of mesothelioma. A high level of antibodies indicates that mesothelioma has already spread. The symptoms are similar to those of pleural mesothelioma, but in this case the patient is not suffering from serious illness.

Another test that is sometimes used to detect mesothelioma is called a pigment-like immunophenotyping test. This test measures the amount of the cancer-causing chemical, called malachite green, that the cancer cells carry. Other types of tests used for mesothelioma include chemoradiotherapy, mitochondrial examination, positron emission tomography (PET), and interferon gamma, which may be performed on the biopsy samples.

Hematologic tests may be performed to determine whether or not there is lymph node involvement. The lymph nodes are groups of fluid-filled sacs that surround each and every cell in the body. A positive test is very helpful in diagnosing mesothelioma and pinpointing the cancerous site.

Each type of mesothelioma is characterized by specific symptoms. But only one type of mesothelioma is diagnosed by a definitive test. Two of the most common types of mesothelioma are pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of mesothelioma that is most often found in the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos in a worker's former job. Peritoneal mesothelioma is usually found in people who have undergone cancer surgery.

A mesothelioma blood test can help rule out an early diagnosis of mesothelioma. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, you will be told what type of mesothelioma you have. Your doctor will likely start treatment immediately to stop the spread of the cancer.