Biposy During Mesothelioma
October 2nd, 2007 Posted by: sendev
Mesothelioma diagnosis plays an important role in treatment of the same. Doctors usually collect blood to identify the tumor cells. The other methods of diagnosis of mesothelioma are discussed below-
The fluid present in the pleura is taken out by chest drain or pleural tap. In case of the fluid accumulation in the peritoneum, the fluid is collected by paracentesis. Pericardiocentesis is performed to get the fluid from the pericardium. Absence of abnormal cells in the fluid collected, not necessarily rules out existence of mesothelioma.
By any chance the cytology is positive, [I mean if there is any abnormal cells noticed] the doctor will conduct the biopsy test to confirm the cancerous growth. Biopsy is nothing but pathological examination of the cells collected from the tumor or excess growth of the affected organ or tissue.
There are different ways of performing the biopsy. One technique is called thoracoscopy. Thoracoscopy is important for the pleural mesothelioma diagnosis.
In this procedure, small cut is made in the wall of the chest. A light, thin tube called thoracoscope is inserted in to the small cut made in the chest wall. The tissue sample is collected by the thoracoscope. In this technique the doctor can take the tissue sample with minimum damage to the body and also can have look inside the chest.
In case of mesothelioma of peritoneum, the doctor performs laparoscopy. Laparoscopy helps mesothelioma diagnosis in a big way. As per this technique a small incision is made in the wall of the abdomen.
A small instrument called laparoscope is inserted to get the tissue samples out of the body. The tissue sample thus collected will be subjected to pathological studies to find out the abnormal cells whose presence will confirm mesothelioma diagnosis. In case the laparoscopy is not sufficient to take the tissue samples, a much more extensive surgery may be performed by the doctor.