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Certain findings on chest x-rays that suggest
asbestos exposure could prompt the need for further tests or close
follow-up. However, the chest x-ray is not an effective test for early
detection of mesothelioma in the general population.
Medical History and Physical Exam
A complete medical history (interview) is taken to check
for risk factors and symptoms. This will include questions to determine if
you have been exposed to asbestos.
A physical exam will provide information about signs of
mesothelioma and other health problems. Patients with pleural mesotheliomas
(mesotheliomas of the chest) often have fluid in their chest cavity (pleural
effusion) caused by the cancer. Some will have fluid in the abdominal
cavity (ascites) in cases of peritoneal mesothelioma, or fluid in the
pericardium (pericardial effusion) in cases of pericardial
mesothelioma. All these might be detected during a physical exam. Otherwise
they will be found by imaging studies.
Rarely, mesothelioma can appear in the groin and look
like a hernia. If your physician is suspicious of your
symptoms he can order lung cancer screening tools such as CT scans
and PET scans which can detect lung cancer earlier than conventional
X-rays and increase your chance of survival.
What is CT Scanning of the Body?
CT (computed tomography), sometimes called CAT scan, uses special x-ray
equipment to obtain image data from different angles around the body and
then uses computer processing of the information to show a cross-section of
body tissues and organs. Because it provides detailed,
cross-sectional views of all types of tissue, CT is one of the best tools
for studying the chest and abdomen. It is often the preferred method for
diagnosing many different cancers, including lung cancer, liver and
pancreatic cancer, since the image allows a physician to confirm the
presence of a tumor and measure its size, precise location and the extent of
the tumor's involvement with other nearby tissue. What
is Positron Emission Tomography (PET)?
Positron emission tomography, also called PET imaging or a PET scan, is a
diagnostic examination that involves the acquisition of physiologic images
based on the detection of radiation from the emission of positrons.
Positrons are tiny particles emitted from a radioactive substance
administered to the patient. The subsequent images of the human body
developed with this technique are used to evaluate a variety of diseases.
PET scans are used most often to detect cancer such as lung cancer and to
examine the effects of cancer therapy by characterizing biochemical changes
in the cancer. PET scans can be performed on the whole body. |
