Collapsed Lung: A Potential Early Indicator of Mesothelioma
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Collapsed Lung: A Potential Early Indicator of Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Experiencing a collapsed lung may be an early sign of mesothelioma. This is the finding of a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Pathology. Early Diagnosis is Important Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos that is hard for doctors to diagnose. Many of the symptoms for mesothelioma could also be caused by other, more common, diseases. It usually requires many tests to diagnose mesothelioma. Doctors usually start with a physical exam, then to an imaging scan like an X-ray or CT scan. If they see signs of mesothelioma, they will perform a biopsy to test a sample of tissue for cancer. The delay is diagnosis also delays treatment, which has a negative impact on survival. Investigating…

New Tips for Diagnosing Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
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New Tips for Diagnosing Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that often mimics other conditions. This can make it difficult to get a definitive diagnosis. But a new report in Pathology Case Reviews provides tips for identifying peritoneal mesothelioma. Diagnosing Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after a person experiencing symptoms goes to a doctor. Patients often complain of vague abdominal symptoms, such as pain, nausea, bloating, weight loss. Distinguishing peritoneal mesothelioma from other cancers is important to ensure appropriate treatment. One thing a doctor may do is perform a tissue biopsy. The doctor will remove a part of the tissue (suspected mesothelioma) for examination. A biopsy is the “gold standard” and the single most important procedure for an accurate diagnosis. Doctors…

Misdiagnosis of Mesothelioma More Common with Cytology Alone
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Misdiagnosis of Mesothelioma More Common with Cytology Alone

ByAlex Strauss

A new set of case reports illustrates how easily misdiagnosis of mesothelioma can happen when the diagnosis is based on cytology alone.  Cytology tests look at the cells in body fluids. For peritoneal mesothelioma patients, this is often the fluid that collects in their abdomen called ascites.  But doctors from India’s Dayanand Medical College and Hospital say using ascites samples alone to diagnose mesothelioma is a risky practice. Misdiagnosis of mesothelioma may delay proper treatment and negatively impact survival. The Difficulty of Diagnosing Peritoneal Mesothelioma Malignant mesothelioma only impacts about 2,500 people in the US every year. It is most common among people who have lived or worked around asbestos. Peritoneal mesothelioma is even rarer. About a fifth of patients…

Immunohistochemical Staining and Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma: Beyond the Lab
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Immunohistochemical Staining and Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma: Beyond the Lab

ByAlex Strauss

When it comes to understanding individual cases of sarcomatoid mesothelioma, doctors should not rely too heavily on immunohistochemical staining.  That conclusion comes from mesothelioma researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas.  The researchers just released a new study focused on this rare mesothelioma subtype. A patient’s subtype has an impact on what kind of treatment could work best for them. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is usually less responsive to chemotherapy. Immunohistochemical staining is a pathology technique. It is the main way that doctors tell the difference between mesothelioma subtypes.  But the MD Anderson report suggests that not all cases of sarcomatoid mesothelioma are created equal. The researchers say it is important to look beyond the lab findings to understand individual cases….

Predicting the Risk of Death from Mesothelioma
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Predicting the Risk of Death from Mesothelioma

ByAlex Strauss

New research suggests that the risk of death from mesothelioma does not always hinge on disease type or overall health. Researchers in Brazil and at Mayo Clinic have identified some subtle mesothelioma risk factors that only pathologists can see. These factors go beyond the characteristics of the mesothelioma cells themselves. The study shows the environment around the tumor, the number and type of immune system cells at the tumor site, and even how many cells are in the tumor can all impact the risk of death from mesothelioma.  Understanding the Risk Factors for Mesothelioma Asbestos exposure causes most cases of mesothelioma. But not everyone who encounters asbestos gets cancer. Genes and certain lifestyle factors may influence whether an exposed person…