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
Ultrasound for Diagnosing Mesothelioma
A team of researchers in China analyzed the accuracy of a specific kind of ultrasound for diagnosing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Even though it is a rare cancer, the global incidence of mesothelioma has been rising over the past decade worldwide. One of the biggest challenges with mesothelioma is getting a definitive diagnosis. Mesothelioma diagnosis usually involves several tests. Patients may have imaging scans, blood tests, and a biopsy. By the time mesothelioma is finally diagnosed, it may already be too late for treatment to help. Getting an Accurate Diagnosis A biopsy involves examining a sample of tissue from a patient’s body to find out if they have a … Continue reading Ultrasound for Diagnosing Mesothelioma
Combining Cytology and Immunology for a Less Invasive Mesothelioma Diagnosis
An invasive surgical or tissue biopsy is often required to get a definitive mesothelioma diagnosis. But a new hybrid exam might offer an alternative for mesothelioma patients. It involves the combination of cytology and immunology. Cytology tests look at the cells in body fluids. It is the analysis of a patient’s cells under a microscope. And immunology is the study of the immune system. Together, these two areas of science provide new hope for mesothelioma patients. The Tokyo Medical University in Japan has been looking into advanced diagnostic options. They believe that a combination of cytology and immunology methods can lead to a definitive diagnosis. This is good news for mesothelioma patients. It will mean a quicker mesothelioma diagnosis without … Continue reading Combining Cytology and Immunology for a Less Invasive Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Video-Assisted Pleural Biopsy for Mesothelioma is Not Always Accurate
New research shows some patients are more likely to get an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis from video-assisted pleural biopsy than others. Cancer doctors at Japan’s Hyogo College of Medicine conducted the new research. It included four hundred patients with suspected pleural mesothelioma. The researchers found that certain conditions can affect the accuracy of video-assisted pleural biopsy. Patients with early stage mesothelioma, a lot of inflammation, or fibrous connective tissue around their tumors were more likely to be misdiagnosed. Biopsy for Mesothelioma Diagnosis VATS is the acronym for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. It is a minimally-invasive surgical technique to diagnose problems in the chest. Mesothelioma tumors grow on the membrane around the lungs (pleura). Doctors may use the video-assisted pleural biopsy technique … Continue reading Video-Assisted Pleural Biopsy for Mesothelioma is Not Always Accurate
Diagnosing Mesothelioma from Pleural Fluid: The Cell Block Technique
Turkish researchers say a method for concentrating cancer cells from the lung fluid of mesothelioma and lung cancer patients into a single “block” for examination may result in a more accurate diagnosis than traditional fluid analysis. Pleural effusion or excess lung fluid is often one of the first signs of mesothelioma. Patients may experience this fluid collection as chest pressure, pain, or inability to take a full breath. Suspected mesothelioma patients with pleural effusion will often undergo thoracentesis, a technique for removing some of the fluid for examination. In the current study, researchers compared the traditional method of analyzing cancer cells in pleural fluid with a method that involves concentrating those scattered cells into a “block” that can be cut through and examined … Continue reading Diagnosing Mesothelioma from Pleural Fluid: The Cell Block Technique
FDG/PET Best for Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Prognosis
When it comes to diagnosing mesothelioma and predicting patient prognosis, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) using a radioactive tracer may be the most effective imaging modality. That’s the finding of a new study out of Japan. Mesothelioma is a fast-growing cancer that starts on the mesothelial membranes which line the chest cavity or wrap around the lungs and heart. It is caused by past exposure to asbestos, most often in an industrial setting. The greater the level of exposure, the greater the likelihood that mesothelioma will occur. Because it is highly resistant to conventional treatments, early diagnosis is critical. Unfortunately, mesothelioma can also be challenging to diagnose. If patient history and symptoms suggest mesothelioma, imaging modalities like computed tomography (CT) and X-rays can … Continue reading FDG/PET Best for Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Prognosis
Diagnosing Mesothelioma
A panel of just three antibodies is highly sensitive at distinguishing mesothelioma from other cancers, according to a study in the February 2009 issue of Pathology. The authors of the study say that using this type of small antibody panel could help reduce the time and cost associated with diagnosing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is among the deadliest of cancers; the average patient survives just one year after diagnosis. Making a timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial to help doctors determine a patient’s prognosis, identify the best treatment approach, and get patients compensated in legal claims related to asbestos-related mesothelioma, says Sonja Klebe, MD, PhD, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Anatomical Pathology at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide, Australia. Mesothelioma is often … Continue reading Diagnosing Mesothelioma
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