3 Popular Mesothelioma Tests
By Thomas Parker
Mesothelioma is one of the rarer forms of cancer with approximately 2000 cases reported in the UK each year. There are two types of mesothelioma; pleural mesothelioma (which causes the lining of the lungs to become thicker) and peritoneal mesothelioma (which causes the lining of the abdomen to become thicker). Both of these forms of cancer are almost always caused by asbestos exposure hence the nickname asbestos cancer. Despite it being one of the less common types of cancer there are still a number of tests out there which I will be outlining in this article.

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1) X-RAY:- One of the first tests your doctor is likely to recommend is an x-ray of the chest, the abdomen or both. This will allow them to see a number of things. First, it may reveal the presence of asbestos in or around the lungs or the stomach. Secondly, it will reveal any build up of fluid either around the lungs (which could turn out to be pleural effusion) or around the abdomen (which could turn out to be ascites). Finally, it will allow your doctor to see any thickening, swelling, lumps or tumours around the lungs and abdomen which could turn out to be mesothelioma. If the x-ray does reveal any of the above abnormalities your doctor is likely to recommend further testing.
Filed Under :
Jan.9,2009


