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…

WHO to Recognize Fourth Mesothelioma Subtype
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WHO to Recognize Fourth Mesothelioma Subtype

ByAlex Strauss

The World Health Organization will soon recognize mesothelioma in situ as a fourth mesothelioma subtype.  The 2015 WHO classification of pleural mesothelioma includes three histological subtypes. Pathologists can tell the difference between the subtypes by looking at the cells under a microscope. Each subtype has a slightly different cell shape, growth pattern, and nuclear characteristics.  The proposed fourth mesothelioma subtype is a very early form of mesothelioma. Previous studies suggest that it may be a precursor to invasive mesothelioma. If patients know they have it, they may have years to try to keep mesothelioma from developing. Differences Between the Subtypes Pleural mesothelioma is a very rare type of cancer. Only about 2,500 people in the US receive a mesothelioma diagnosis…

The Pathological Diagnosis of Mesothelioma: New Recommendations
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The Pathological Diagnosis of Mesothelioma: New Recommendations

ByAlex Strauss

An international team of researchers says it is time to refine the pathological diagnosis of mesothelioma. They are recommending a list of changes they say could make the process more effective. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Under current pathology guidelines, it falls into just three categories. But the research team says those guidelines do not give doctors enough information. They recommend updates to make the pathological diagnosis of mesothelioma more specific.  Understanding Mesothelioma Pathology Pathologists study body tissue, fluids, and cells that are surgically removed. The pathological diagnosis of mesothelioma involves looking at cells under a microscope. Cells can then be put into a category.  About three quarters of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. Epithelioid mesothelioma is…

BAP1 Can Distinguish Mesothelioma from Other Conditions
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BAP1 Can Distinguish Mesothelioma from Other Conditions

ByAlex Strauss

German scientists say a protein could help doctors distinguish mesothelioma from other conditions. Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that grows on the membranes around organs. These membranes are called mesothelial membranes. But other conditions can also grow on mesothelial membranes. One of those conditions is adenomatoid tumors. Adenomatoid tumors are benign but, even under the microscope, their cells can look a lot like malignant mesothelioma. Now, a group of pathologists in Germany say the BAP1 protein can tell these two conditions apart. If doctors can distinguish mesothelioma from other conditions early enough, mesothelioma patients may have better outcomes. BAP1 Loss and Mesothelioma BAP1 is a protein encoded by the BAP1 gene. BAP1 is one of the proteins that helps keep…