If you have symptoms that suggest mesothelioma, your doctor will perform a physical exam and order imaging scans to check for abnormalities. If necessary, further testing may be done to determine the cause of your symptoms. A biopsy, which involves the removal of a small tissue sample for laboratory examination, is the only way to diagnose mesothelioma. The tissue sample is analyzed to determine the type of mesothelioma and guide treatment. There are various biopsy procedures that may be used, such as needle insertion or tissue collection during surgery. Once mesothelioma is confirmed, your doctor may recommend additional tests to determine the extent of the cancer, such as CT scans, MRI, or PET. The results of these tests are used to assign a stage to pleural mesothelioma (I to IV, with lower numbers indicating more localized cancer and higher numbers indicating cancer that has spread to other areas of the body). Formal stages are not available for other types of mesothelioma. The sta
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that covers internal organs. It is an aggressive and deadly cancer, and while treatments are available, it is often not curable. Mesothelioma can affect different parts of the mesothelium, including the pleura (tissue surrounding the lungs), peritoneum (tissue in the abdomen), and tissue around the heart and testicles. Symptoms Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells, which are found in the lining of certain organs in the body. There are two main types of mesothelioma: pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma affects the tissue surrounding the lungs and can cause a range of symptoms, including chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and the presence of unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on the chest. It may also cause unexplained weight loss. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the tissue lining the abdomen and can cause abdominal pain, swelling, nausea,