Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that originates from the connective tissue that surrounds the lungs and organs in the abdomen. This type of cancer is commonly linked to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma can affect the tissue around the lungs, the heart, the testicles and the abdomen. Mesothelioma is a rather rare type of cancer and is detected using a variety of tests.
Step 1
Check for symptoms. Mesothelioma in the chest can cause pain in the chest or lower back, coughing, fever, fatigue, sweating, sudden weight loss, hoarseness and muscle weakness. Mesothelioma in the abdomen can cause abdominal pain and swelling, weight loss, vomiting, and nausea.
Step 2
Get an x-ray and a computed tomography (CT) scan. These are both diagnostic tests that your doctor can order to determine if you have mesothelioma. Mesothelioma will show up on the x-ray as a thickening of the connective tissue or calcium deposits around the lungs. The CT scan can locate the mesothelioma and determine if it has spread.
Step 3
Have your blood tested. People with mesothelioma often have elevated levels of a compound called osteopontin, and certain small proteins called soluble mesothelin-related peptides.
Step 4
Have a tissue biopsy performed. Biopsies are the best way of detecting mesothelioma if the above tests suggest that the patient has mesothelioma. With a biopsy, doctors will take a small portion of the tissue that they think is mesothelioma (either using a needle or surgically). Then this tissue can be looked at under a microscope to see if mesothelioma cells are present.
