|
The first step is usually to start seeing your GP who
will examine you and ask about your symptoms, what they
are, when you get them, and whether anything you do
makes them better or worse.
You may be asked to lie down for a closer examination in
which your GP will feel the area where you are
experiencing pain. Your doctor may also listen to your
chest to see if any fluid may be collecting.
At this point you could be referred to your hospital for
x-rays and further tests. You might be referred directly
to a specialist, or your GP might recommend other tests
first.
If at hospital you see a specialist you will be asked
about your medical history and the symptoms you have.
They will examine you as your doctor did, feeling the
area where you are experiencing pain and you may be
asked to take a blood test.
If your doctor suspects you could have mesothelioma, you
may have to be patient and attend a number of tests as
the disease is very difficult to diagnose. Many common
tests used to diagnose lung disease come back negative
when used to diagnose mesothelioma.
Tests you may be asked to have are:
XRAY
It is very likely you'll be asked to have a chest or
abdominal x-ray. Taking an x-ray of the chest can show
any fluid that may be collecting around your lung. An
abdominal x-ray may show a swelling, or fluid in the
abdomen.
CT SCAN
You may be asked to have a CT scan on your abdomen, or
chest. A CT scan is a computerised scan using x-rays. It
can show abdominal swelling in lymph nodes or body
organs.
You might be given a contrast dye injection before the
scan to make the scan clearer and easier to read.
MRI SCAN
MRI scans use magnetism to build a picture of your
insides. MRI scans are often more useful than an x-ray
or CT scan for looking at the soft tissues of the body
where mesothelioma may reside. Depending on which type
of mesothelioma you are being diagnosed for, you may be
asked to have an MRI scan of your abdomen, or your
chest.
MRI scans are often very noisy and people who feel
claustrophobic will find them hard to go through with.
If you have any fears about this kind of situation, tell
your doctor beforehand. You can not have an MRI scan if
you have any metal inside your body.
BRONCHOSCOPY
A bronchoscopy test looks at the inside of your air ways
using a tube called a bronchoscope. The tube has an eye
piece so your doctor can see the inside of your airways.
Samples of tissue and cells can be taken during a
bronchoscopy, which are sent to a lab for testing to see
if any cells in the sample are cancerous.
This test is usually done while the patient is awake,
but the throat is numbed with local anaesthetic.
Occasionally it is done with general anaestheitc. If an
anaesthetic is administered, you may be kept in hospital
over night depending on the time of the day the test is
done.
THORACOSCOPY
A thoracoscopy is a small operation performed by a
specialist surgeon, which is done under general
anaesthetic. A small incision is made in the wall of
your chest, and a telescope-like instrument called a
thoracoscope is inserted through the hope. A
thoracoscope has a small video camera attached, and
using forceps your doctor can take a sample of tissue
and cells which is sent to a lab for testing.
MEDIASTINOSCOPY
A Mediastinoscopy examines the mediastinum, an area in
the centre of your chest which contains the heart, the
main blood vessels and lymph nodes.
Occasionally in pleural mesothelioma the lymph nodes in
the chest are enlarged.
You will be given general anaesthetic for the test and
will be kept in hospital for at least one night. A small
incision will be made at the base of the next, through
which your doctor will insert a small tube which goes
into the mediastium. This tube can be looked through the
examine the area. During this process, a sample of
tissue and cells can be taken for testing in a lab to
see if any cells are cancerous.
When you wake, you will have a small dressing over the
incision where the tube was inserted. If you are feeling
any soreness or pain, say so and the nurses will be
happy to administer a pain killer. When over the
anaesthetic you will be able to go home.
FLUID DRAINAGE
Fluid builds up around the lungs or abdominal cavity of
many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This happens
when cancerous cells are irritating the pleura or
peritoneum, and the fluid can cause discomfort in the
abdomen and breathing difficulties.
To drain the fluid a needle is put into the chest or
abdomen cavity, and the fluid is drained into a bag. A
sample of the fluid will then be kept and sent to a lab
for testing to find out if any cells are cancerous.
LAPAROSCOPY
A laparoscopy is a small operation used to diagnose
peritoneal mesothelioma. A tube with a small camera
attached is inserted into the abdomen through a small
incision made by your doctor.
Your doctor can then look inside for any signs of
cancer, and take samples of tissue and cells from any
areas that look suspect. The samples will then be sent
for testing in a lab, to find out if any cells are
cancerous.
Laparoscopy tests are done under general anaesthetic,
and when you wake you will have a small wound with no
more than a few stiches sealing it. |
