How is Mesothelioma diagnosed?

Mesothelioma is not easy to diagnose. A chest x-ray may show a buildup of fluid in the lining around the lung. The doctor may order a CT scan for further evaluation. A CT scan can also determine if fluid has built up inside the lungs.

After the CT scan, a doctor may perform a biopsy to make a definitive diagnosis. A tissue sample taken from the body will be reviewed under a microscope to determine if the tumor is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The tissue will often be “stained” to determine the type of cancer.

Once diagnosed, "stages" describe the extent of mesothelioma and determine the best course of treatment. One system of "stages" is the TNM system. This system describes the size of the tumor (T), if the lymph nodes are involved (N), and if cancer has metastasized, or spread to other areas of the body (M).

At Stage 1, the cancerous growth is generally described as being in the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen. Stage 2 is when the mesothelioma has moved from the lining into the lymph nodes. In Stage 3 the cancer has spread into the chest wall, heart, diaphragm, or stomach. Stage 4 is the most serious stage, when the cancer has spread to organs such as the liver, pancreas or colon.