Mesothelioma Diagnosis

The symptoms of mesothelioma are varied and can mimic other diseases.  But detection of the cancer when it’s at an early stage can broaden a patient’s treatment options and improve the prognosis.

If you were exposed to asbestos in an upstate New York industry and have noticed any symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, pain beneath the ribs or unexplained weight loss, you should talk to your doctor right away.

The New York mesothelioma attorneys of Belluck & Fox, LLP, assist clients diagnosed with asbestos disease throughout upstate New York. We provide individualized and professional legal representation, and we can advise you of the legal options available for you and your family.

For additional information, use our online contact form or call Belluck & Fox LLP’s mesothelioma lawyers toll-free at 1-877-MESOTHELIOMA or (877) 637-6843.

Doctor Examination for Mesothelioma

Early detection is a critical step to surviving mesothelioma. Doctors often start by treating undiagnosed mesothelioma patients for a respiratory infection such as a persistent cough or wheezing. When the symptoms worsen, the doctor may order diagnostic tests.

Your physician will take a medical history from you consisting of questions about your past employment and potential environmental exposure to asbestos.  It’s important that you provide detailed and accurate information about your employment history and family history. Your doctor will want to know if any of your family members were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. If your family lived near a factory that manufactured asbestos products or a mine that produced the mineral fiber, that is important information to provide the doctor as well.

Mesothelioma Diagnostic Procedures

Doctors in upstate New York use a range of diagnostic tests to determine whether a patient has mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestos-related disease. Often, a combination of tests, including x-rays, lung function tests and tissue sample, will provide the most accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs). A lung function test includes a series of tests to measure the patient’s respiratory system and the oxygen level in ther blood. Possible tests include simple peak flow measurements, spirometry which measures how much air you can inhale and exhale, and ventilation/perfusion scans.

The variety of diagnostic imaging technologies include:

• CT (computed tomography) Scan / CAT Scan. A rotating X-ray beam takes a series of images of the internal organs from different angles. The images are combined using a computer to create a cross-section of the specific area of the body. When the chest cavity is imaged for example, the radiologists will be able to see distinct aspects of the lungs and pleura.
• X-ray. Doctors use chest X-rays to look for abnormal masses in the lungs, a buildup of fluid or any unusual thickening of the lining of the chest cavity and lung. An X-ray of the abdominal cavity may show an irregular mass in the tissue lining of the abdomen.
• PET Scan / Positron Emission Tomography. PET scans are useful in identifying concentrations of extremely small cancerous cells.  A PET scan will identify any areas of active disease through the use of “tracers.” The patient will receive an injection of a sugar-infused liquid that will concentrate in diseased tissue. Cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer metabolize sugars at a higher rate than normal tissues. Doctors also employ PET scans to evaluate whether mesothelioma is responding to treatment by comparing images of diseased tissue before and after treatment.
• MRI / Magnetic Resonance Imaging. An MRI uses radiowaves and a powerful magnetic field to generate a series of cross-sectional images without the use of radiation. You will be asked to lie completely still inside the MRI machine as it scans your body. MRI scans can identify soft tissues, ligaments and organs, allowing the doctor to determine the extent of mesothelioma. New MRI technology offers clearer images, giving physicians a better picture of tumor growth in the chest cavity and pleura—the lining of the lung.
• Tissue Biospy. If imaging scans point to cancer, doctors will use pathology tests to make a definite diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Doctors may use one of several different procedures to collect a tissue sample and perform a lung biopsy.

• Bronchoscopy. The least invasive method, a bronchoscopy involves inserting a lighted flexible tube through the patient’s mouth or nose and into the trachea to check for masses in the airway and to collect a tissue sample.
• Laparoscopy. A small incision is made in the abdomen to take a tissue sample from the abdominal cavity if the doctor suspects peritoneal mesothelioma.
• Needle Biopsy. Doctors may perform a core needle biopsy or fine-needle aspiration to take tissue or fluid samples from the lungs, chest cavity or abdominal cavity.
• Mediastinoscopy. The procedure requires an incision in the neck above the breastbone. The doctor uses a small camera to examine the area of the patient’s chest cavity in front of the lungs and between the lungs as well as the lymph nodes. A tissue sample can be taken and an evaluation made of the value of surgery to remove tumors.
• Thoracoscopy or Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS). A thin tube is attached to a camera and inserted into the chest cavity through small incisions. Thoracoscopic surgery is less invasive than open surgery.
• Open Biospy. If other procedures to collect tissue have been unsuccessful, doctors may perform open surgery, which often involves cutting at the rib cage.

Evaluating the Stage of Mesothelioma

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you’ll want to understand the stage of the disease.  The advancement of the disease will dictate your treatment options and outlook.

• Stage I. Mesothelioma cancer cells are present in only one area and have not spread.
• Stage II. The disease has spread to organs and areas adjacent to the point of origin.
• Stage III. The mesothelioma may have moved into the lymph system and progressed to other areas of the body.
• Stage IV. In the advanced stage, mesothelioma has spread to other parts of the body.

Contact New York Mesothelioma Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one in upstate New York, including Oswego, Massena, Watertown, St. Lawrence County or Jefferson, has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the NY mesothelioma attorneys of Belluck & Fox LLP can help. We handle mesothelioma cases throughout New York.

Reach us using our online contact form or call Belluck & Fox LLP’s mesothelioma lawyers toll-free at 1-877-MESOTHELIOMA or (877) 637-6843.