Diagnosis and Stages of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

The specialist may view the chest cavity with an instrument called a thoracoscope. A small incision in the chest wall allows the thoracoscope to be inserted inside the chest between two ribs. This is called a thoracoscopy test and is done in the hospital (Note, the patient will receive a local anesthetic prior to the test). Typically, slight discomfort and chest pressure accompany this procedure, but usually there is little to no pain. The specialist can also look inside the abdomen with a tool called a peritoneoscope. This procedure is also takes place in the hospital under a local anesthetic.

During these tests, if any of the tissue found is not normal, the specialist will remove a small sample to be examined under a microscope (this is known as a tissue biopsy). The tissue sample will then be forwarded to a pathologist for diagnoses.

Stages of mesothelioma

Once you receive a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, more tests will be done to determine whether cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. This is called "staging". Your doctor will need to know the stage of the cancer in order to plan treatment.

The standard for staging mesothelioma is:

Localized malignant mesothelioma

Stage I: The cancer is located in the chest cavity lining, near the heart and lungs. It can also be found in the diaphragm or the lungs.

Advanced malignant mesothelioma

Stage II: The cancer has spread beyond the chest lining and into the lymph nodes within the chest.

Stage III: The cancer has already spread into the chest wall, heart, abdominal lining, and in some cases, into nearby lymph nodes.

Stage IV: The cancer has already spread to different major organs or tissues.

Recurrent malignant mesothelioma

Recurrent disease indicates that the cancer has returned after treatment has occured. It may return to the lining of the chest, abdomen, or various other parts of the body.