Understanding Mesothelioma Diagnosis: Looking Beyond Tests

Understanding Mesothelioma Diagnosis: Looking Beyond Tests

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma is a challenging cancer to diagnose. A recent study highlighted a problem called overdiagnosis. This happens when tumors are mistaken for mesothelioma. It can lead to big challenges in treatment. The study suggests that doctors need to think beyond just using lab tests for diagnosis. Uncovering Overdiagnosis The study looked at 311 tumors that were first thought to be mesothelioma but turned out not to be. While these misdiagnoses were rare (only 0.8% of cases), they caused significant problems. Some tumors were actually cancers from other parts of the body. While others were non-cancerous conditions that looked like mesothelioma. Mistakes in diagnosis were often due to not looking at all the available information. Doctors can rely too much on…

Mesothelioma Confused with Ovarian Cancer in Women

Mesothelioma Confused with Ovarian Cancer in Women

ByHolly Zink

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma can easily be confused with ovarian carcinoma in women. This was the case for a 55-year-old woman who went to the hospital for help with abdominal pain, fatigue, and nausea. Hard to Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly type of cancer that affects the lining of organs inside the body. When it develops on the lining of the abdominal cavity, it is called malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM). MPM and other types of mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms look just like other common diseases. For MPM, the symptoms could include abdominal pain and swelling, night sweats, and fever. Several diagnostic tests may be needed to reach…

Mesothelioma Mimics Ovarian Cancer: Lessons from a Case Report
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Mesothelioma Mimics Ovarian Cancer: Lessons from a Case Report

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma mimics ovarian cancer in a new report by Radiology Case Reports. Mesothelioma is a rare and very aggressive tumor of the peritoneum. Similar clinical and imaging presentations mean mesothelioma mimics ovarian cancer at times. Yet, a history of asbestosis exposure is key as the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Imaging plays a key role in getting the diagnosis correct. It narrows down the diagnosis possibilities. Ultrasound-guided biopsy with histological study can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. Case Report Misdiagnosis The Bangladesh National Institute of Oncology recently published a case report. A 42-year-old woman reported pelvic pain and progressive abdominal distension. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a high volume anechoic peritoneal effusion. Further investigation showed extensive peritoneal disease and bilateral ovarian tissue…

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…