In the book 100 Questions and answers about mesothelioma, the authors ask the following: "How biopsies and that one is right for me? "in my years of working with people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, when reviewing their medical records, I find that often the most time got fluid on from paracentesis or thoracentesis is not conclusive for a diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Although removal of the fluid provides relief, it is very difficult to get a firm diagnosis of mesothelioma. Why? Because sometimes abnormal cells are so small that they are indistinguishable from benign cells, reactive mesothelial or other cells that contain large waste or foreign bodies. And if no abnormal or malignant cells are found in the liquid, the patient is often misdiagnosed.
Problems arise when the procedure does not give enough cells to perform the special staining required to diagnose mesothelioma. fluid extract which is very thick tend to contain more cells, making evaluation through immunohistochemical (IHC) or special coloring easier to get a diagnosis of mesothelioma.
The procedure for obtaining liquid for cytological analysis requires local anesthesia and a special needle to drain fluid. This procedure can usually be done in the doctor's office.
Pleural biopsy consists of fluid and a small amount of tissue from the pleura. If immunohistochemical staining (sometimes called Immunos) also returns inconclusive, more evasive procedures may be required to confirm a diagnosis. Your doctor may perform a thoracoscopy (a light field with or without camera). This involves making a small incision in your chest wall and placing a thin tube called a thoracoscope in your chest. This allows your doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. This not only may obtain samples to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma tissue, it can also help your doctor determine the quantity and location of the disease, helping to formulate a treatment plan.
If, for radiological observation, there appears to be a solid tumor that liquid, your doctor will recommend an open biopsy. The incision is determined by the size of the thickened pleura and must be performed by a thoracic surgeon with knowledge of mesothelioma. Normally, a sample of fabric measuring 1 to 1½ inches in diameter is harvested to provide adequate fabric pathologist to make a diagnosis.
You should follow your doctor's advice on the procedure to be used for diagnosis, as your doctor is the best to determine your physical ability to undergo these diagnostic procedures
Every day -. even this minute - dedicated researchers working diligently to advance our ability to diagnose mesothelioma by immunohistochemical staining and other special procedures less evasive in the hope that early detection can aid in the treatment of patients with mesothelioma.
