Diagnosing mesothelioma is rather difficult for the reason that the indications are similar to those of a number of other circumstances. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, as well as considering any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be carried out. Standard treatment options are mentioned below and sometimes these treatments are combined to effectively target the ailment.

Common Mesothelioma Diagnosis Techniques

Imaging tests. This method will assist in verifying the location, size, and extent of the cancer. These tests may comprise X rays, computed tomography (CT scans), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to enable the doctor to visualize the critical areas of the body.

Blood tests (hematoxylin and eosin staining). This test detects the three patterns of mesothelioma which are the following:

Epithelioid. About 50% to 70% of mesothelioma diagnoses are of this kind and have the greatest chance for recovery.
Sarcomatoid. Approximately 7% to 20% of cases are of this type.
Mixed/biphasic. From 20% to 35% of mesothelioma cases fall into this pattern

Pleural biopsy. It is an examination wherein a needle is inserted into the chest cavity to obtain tissue from the pleural membrane for investigation. Given that the biopsy is not done through direct vision, the sample may not be precisely in the area of the tumor. If the diagnosis will not be done with this procedure, an ample tissue sample usually can be obtained by means of an open pleural biopsy. Within this method, a surgeon does an incision on the patient's side and goes into the pleural space. This process permits maximum exploration of the pleural membranes as well.

Thoracoscopy. It is a relatively new technique, allows the doctor to look directly into the chest (pleural) cavity at the tumor and during the same operation to also take a tissue sample for laboratory analysis. The thoracoscopy is performed by making a small incision into the chest and using a tiny video camera to inspect the region.

Bronchoscopy. It is the process of examining the airways, or a mediastinoscopy, which looks at the lymph nodes in the chest, allows the doctor to look at the area using a lighted tube.

A doctor must be seen as soon as possible if a person experiences shortness of breath, chest pain, or pain or swelling in the abdomen. If the said symptoms occurred, the doctor may order an x ray of the abdomen or chest as an initial test. The doctor needs to perform a complete physical examination and take a meticulous medical investigation. Then, one or more of the following methods mentioned above may be applied to find out whether mesothelioma is present.