You might have a number of tests to investigate your symptoms and confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma, including:
A biopsy of the pleural tissue is often done using a small cut in the chest into which a thorascope is inserted. A thorascope is a thin, tube-like instrument that has a light and a camera for viewing, as well as a tool to remove the tissue sample. This procedure – called thoracoscopic biopsy – is done under general anaesthetic in an operating theatre.
If mesothelioma is diagnosed, pulmonary function tests might be used to see how well your lungs are working. This can be important if surgery to remove part of a lung might be used to treat the cancer. Pulmonary function tests involve breathing in and out through a tube connected to a machine.
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you might have more tests to determine the stage of the disease and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps your medical team plan the best treatment for you.
Mesothelioma is divided into four stages:
Tests to determine the stage of mesothelioma can include:
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2016). Malignant pleural mesothelioma, version 1.2016.
National Cancer Institute (2016). Malignant mesothelioma treatment (PDQ®): patient version.
American Cancer Society (2016). Malignant mesothelioma.