Due to the rareness and so common symptoms of Mesothelioma it is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma. Physicians begins the diagnosis by having the knowledge of victim’s history such that he\she came into contact with anyhow with asbestos. Then after some physical examination is done. Some of them are

X-ray : Due to the asbestos exposure there seems to be thickening in pleural, which is detected by X-Ray.

CT(computerized tomography) Scan : Physician may take CT Scan of your abdomen or chest. In CT scan process3-D image of the infected organ is generated with the help of number of 2-D images that is taken as rotation around a axis. This helps to physician to understand completely how far the disease has grown.

Biopsy : In this basically a small portion of the cells are taken for the test to conclude Mesothelioma. The different types of this are

• Laparoscopy : It is done for checking abdomen. In this doctor cuts some part of the abdomen and examine using some surgical tools using tiny camera.
• Coeliotomy : It is a surgical procedure also known as laparotomy which is done to excess abdominal cavity. It is related to Laparoscopy.
• Thoracoscopy : In this procedure some tiny camera with other surgical tools are planted in the chest by doing incisions between ribs. It is also called video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
• Thoracotomy : Thoracotomy includes the examination of chest. Surgery is done on chest between the ribs area and tissues are taken for the test.
• Needle Intake : This is done almost for any kind of Mesothelioma, in this a small part of fluid or tissue is taken with a small needle from abdomen or chest.

Micro scoping examination is done with these taken tissues\cells to conclude that the victim is suffering from the Mesothelioma or not.

Stages of Mesothelioma

After the diagnosis, it is also essential to conclude that it is in which stage. Typically it can be divided into two stages. Localized(when it is limited to the membrane surface where it is originated) and Advanced(when it is spread to other parts from the originated part). Although a deep division can be made but for only pleural mesothelioma which is less rare than other types. These stages are

Stage I : When it is localized i.e only limited to the lining of the chest.
Stage II : When it is spread beyond the lining to the lungs.
Stage III : When it is spread beyond to other parts in chest.
Stage IV : When it is in the advanced stage, spread to other parts which are far from tumor.

After the proper diagnosis, the treatment is taken according to the stage and the location of Mesothelioma.