A mesothelioma diagnosis can be made through several different methods. Unfortunately, when the diagnosis is made the prognosis in mesothelioma cases is usually very poor. One common procedure known as a transbronchial biopsy involves a tube inserted into the throat. This type of mesothelioma test do not require surgery, but only provides a small tissue sample that may, or may not, yield an accurate result. While less desirable, a more invasive surgical procedure that provides a greater tissue sample will support a more accurate diagnosis for mesothelioma.
A piece of tissue from the mesothelioma is removed from the body, and the mesothelioma diagnosis is made through well-established immunohistological staining performed by a pathologist. A pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the analysis of tissue or fluid to determine if the results are consistent with a mesothelioma diagnosis. A pathologist analyzes tissue removed from the body through a process known as immunohistological staining.
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can also be made by examining pleural fluid, which can be extracted by a needle biopsy, a procedure know as a thoracentesis. The analysis of fluid is known as cytology. Where mesothelioma is suspected, negative cytology results should still be followed by a biopsy, mostly because cytological analysis is not always sufficiently sensitive enough of a test for mesothelioma. (See Renshaw et al., The Role of Cytologic Evaluation of Pleural Fluid in the Diagnosis of Malignant Mesothelioma, Clinical Investigations, Chest, January 1997).
A pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the analysis of tissue or fluid to determine if the results are consistent with a mesothelioma diagnosis. A pathologist analyzes tissue removed from the body through a process known as immunohistological staining.
Many people are given X-rays or scans in the process of making a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A simple x-ray or CAT scan may reveal the presence of a tumor. X-rays and CAT scans are reviewed by a medical doctor known as a radiologist. However, these diagnostic methods, while less intrusive, may also be less definitive.
Because mesothelioma is a rare disease, it is important to try to be evaluated at a hospital that has experience with making mesothelioma diagnoses and can make an accurate prognosis in mesothelioma cases.
A person who develops mesothelioma is likely entitled to file a lawsuit against the companies who caused the disease.
Mesothelioma attorneys at Levy, Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP are experienced in obtaining money damages for families affected by mesothelioma. Before selecting a mesothelioma attorney to represent you, consider the
factors in choosing a mesothelioma law firm.
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