The diagnosis of mesothelioma is quite difficult simply because there are no easy mesothelioma tests that can quickly and absolutely confirm the disease. It often takes a compilation of a physical exam and several mesothelioma tests to completely and accurately confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is not easy to detect, because the symptoms can appear decades after exposure to asbestos. Another challenge with mesothelioma symptoms is that the early symptoms are often ignored because they are so common to many illnesses like the common cold, allergies and even pneumonia.

Medical providers begin the diagnostic process for mesothelioma with a review of your medical history and family medical history including any record of asbestos exposure.

It is important to remember that there are accounts of family members of asbestos workers who have been diagnoses with malignant mesothelioma. It is thought that the family members contracted mesothelioma through the handling of clothing contaminated with harmful asbestos fibers.

Once your physician has ruled out other diagnosis and has confirmed a history of asbestos exposure then additional mesothelioma tests will be ordered to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.

The first stage of diagnosis is a chest or abdominal x-ray. These simple tests can help your physician to see any abnormal masses and can also show a buildup of fluid in the lining surrounding the lungs and the heart. For further testing a CT or CAT scan (computed axial tomography) or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may also be ordered.

Once these mesothelioma tests have been completed your physician can evaluate any abnormal findings, and the size, location and level of any swelling or lump in the chest or abdomen.

Once the initial mesothelioma tests are completed and if anything appears to be abnormal, a biopsy is then ordered to confirm the stage of mesothelioma. To view the inside of the abdomen the medical provider will order a test known as peritonescopy.

During a peritoneoscopy an incision is made into the abdomen and a small sample of tissue is taken to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This test is more invasive and routinely requires the test to be done in the hospital under local anesthesia. The tissue removed during the exam is examined by a pathologist for abnormalities.

Also, thoracoscopy is another diagnostic test that is ordered to look at the chest cavity to determine if the mesothelioma is in the chest wall or cavity. During this mesothelioma test, your physician will make a tiny incision into the chest wall.

Through this incision, he will insert an endoscope, which is a small narrow tube which holds a camera or in some cases a small mirror and he will inspect the lungs and entire chest cavity looking for abnormalities.

The thoracoscopy also allows your physician to take a biopsy of any abnormal tissue found and send it to the lab for further study. This test is similar to the peritonescopy and tissue sample is taking to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.

It is important to remember that there is no one test that can confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. It takes a battery of mesothelioma tests to rule out other diseases and to confirm a final diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Asbestos exposure can result in mesothelioma decades after the initial exposure to the harmful fibers of asbestos.

Mesothelioma is known to be a rare yet aggressive cancer and requires expert treatment for a positive mesothelioma prognosis and to prolong life. If you are experiencing mesothelioma symptoms, then seek medical attention right away.

Talk with your physician. He is the best resource for scheduling mesothelioma tests and is the best resource to design a treatment plan for your best outcome.