Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history, especially history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed. After that some further scanning test are used :
- x-rays of the chest or abdomen
- ung function tests.
- CT (or CAT) scan
- or an MRI
In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist.
A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located e.g. if the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy, if the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy.
The stages of the disease is important if the obtaining result is mesothelioma. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. This is especially important in planing the treatment.
It can be classified as localised or advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
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