Tag Archives: diagnose mesothelioma

Rare Mesothelioma of the Liver

Rare Mesothelioma of the Liver

Doctors in China recently came across a rare case of primary sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma of the liver. This disease is a type of malignant mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Primary sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma is hard for doctors to diagnose because it is so rare. Doctors also don’t know very much about how it develops or how to treat it. When a person goes to the hospital with symptoms that could be caused by mesothelioma, there are a few different ways to get a diagnosis. Doctors will usually use imaging tests, tissue biopsies, and fluid tests to reach a diagnosis. Diagnosing a Rare Case In this case, a 69-year-old man went to the hospital because he had been having … Continue reading Rare Mesothelioma of the Liver »

Using Artificial Intelligence to Diagnose Mesothelioma

Using Artificial Intelligence to Diagnose Mesothelioma

Scientists from India are working on building a computer program to help diagnose mesothelioma using artificial intelligence. Diagnosing mesothelioma can be challenging for doctors because it is so rare. Mesothelioma symptoms can also look like symptoms of more common diseases like the flu. The scientists in this study are hoping to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to help doctors reach an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis more quickly. Diagnosis and Showing Symptoms Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It is usually diagnosed after a person goes to a doctor because they are experiencing symptoms. These symptoms depend on the type of mesothelioma. For mesothelioma in the lungs, these symptoms could include shortness of breath, pain in chest, … Continue reading Using Artificial Intelligence to Diagnose Mesothelioma »

Diagnosing Mesothelioma with DNA in Cancerous Cells

Diagnosing Mesothelioma with DNA in Cancerous Cells

DNA methylation could be used to diagnose mesothelioma earlier for better treatment outcomes. This is the finding of a study from a team of researchers from Belgium. The researchers analyzed 63 studies that looked at DNA methylation in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. The cancer develops on the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after a person goes to a doctor because they are experiencing symptoms. These symptoms depend on the type of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma in the lungs may cause shortness of breath, pain in chest, and fluid retention. Peritoneal mesothelioma in the abdomen can cause abdominal pain, fatigue, and ascites. … Continue reading Diagnosing Mesothelioma with DNA in Cancerous Cells »

Understanding Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

Understanding Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer that is difficult to diagnose and treat. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the most aggressive type of mesothelioma. It also looks different from other types of mesothelioma, making it even harder to diagnose and treat. The cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. It takes decades for symptoms of this cancer to appear, and the symptoms often look like other diseases, like pneumonia. A proper diagnosis can take a long time, which means the cancer has more time to spread. Mesothelioma can be categorized into three groups: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic. The type of mesothelioma a patient has depends on the shape of the cancer cells. Epithelioid mesothelioma has cube-shaped or column-shaped cells. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has cells with … Continue reading Understanding Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma »

Needle Biopsy an Effective Alternative for Some Mesothelioma Patients

Mesothelioma patients who are not good candidates for thoracoscopy can still get a definitive diagnosis with a procedure called cutting-needle pleural biopsy. A team of Oxford-based scientists compared the two procedures to determine whether ultrasound-guided cutting needle biopsy could produce enough tissue to diagnose mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, an asbestos-linked malignancy that starts on the membrane around the lungs, can be difficult to diagnose. At the same time, because so many patients do not develop symptoms until the disease is in its later stages, rapid and accurate diagnosis is critical. Although patients suspected of having mesothelioma may undergo imaging tests, blood tests for tell-tale biomarkers, and pleural fluid analysis, tissue biopsy and examination of the cells remains the only way to obtain … Continue reading Needle Biopsy an Effective Alternative for Some Mesothelioma Patients »

New Biomarker May Detect Mesothelioma Earlier

Researchers at one of the country’s top cancer centers say they have found an effective way to diagnose mesothelioma earlier. Their findings are published in the latest issue of the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. Fibulin-3 is a protein that is expressed in the membranes of blood vessels. A single mutation in the gene that encodes fibulin-3 has been implicated in a form of macular degeneration. Now, study author and professor of thoracic oncology Harvey Pass, MD, and his colleagues at New York University’s Langone Medical Center believe that fibulin-3 levels in the blood and pleural effusions (fluid around the lungs) can distinguish mesothelioma patients from those who have been exposed to asbestos but do not have the disease. It … Continue reading New Biomarker May Detect Mesothelioma Earlier »