How mesothelioma is diagnosed

Most people begin by seeing their GP when they have symptoms. Your GP will examine you and may arrange for you to have some tests or x-rays. You may be referred to hospital for these tests and for specialist advice and treatment. At the hospital, the doctor will take your medical history and occupational history before doing a physical examination.

Chest x-ray
CT scan
Pleural or peritoneal aspiration
Biopsy
Waiting for your test results

Chest x-ray

A chest x-ray will be taken to check for any abnormalities in your lungs, such as thickening of the pleura or fluid around the lungs. However, there can be other causes of thickening of the pleura and peritoneum (and fluid around the lungs or in the abdomen) apart from mesothelioma.

The following tests may also be needed to diagnose mesothelioma, and your doctor may arrange for you to have one or more of them at the hospital.

Symptoms of mesothelioma

Mesothelioma often starts as a lot of tiny lumps (nodules) in the pleura, which may not show up on scans or x-rays until they are quite large. The main symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain. Some people find that their voice becomes hoarse and they have a cough that does not go away.

Peritoneal mesothelioma often causes swelling and pain in the abdomen.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Causes of Cancer

Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Up to nine out of ten cases of mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral, mined from rock found in many countries. It is made up of tiny fibres that are as strong as steel but can be woven like cotton and are highly resistant to heat and chemicals.

During the 1960s the first definite link between mesothelioma and asbestos was made. In the past asbestos was imported to the UK in large quantities. It was used in construction, ship-building and in household appliances. Asbestos was very widely used in insulation materials, such as amosite insulation board, and building materials, including asbestos cement.

When asbestos is disturbed or damaged, it releases tiny fibres that can be breathed into the lungs. Asbestos fibres are very fine and, when breathed in, they can make their way into the smallest airways of the lung, so they cannot be breathed or coughed out. Once the fibres are in the lungs, the body's defence mechanism tries to break them down and remove them, which leads to inflammation in the lung tissue.