Source: ScienceDirect.Com

CT (“Computerized Tomography”) is the most common test used to diagnose mesothelioma. CT can show pleural thickening, the extent of pleural effusions and if the tumors have invaded near-by structures. Problems with CT include underestimating the extent to which tumors have invaded the chest wall and the peritoneal area. It is also not effective in showing if the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes. Perfusion CT is a newer subset of CT and can image the microvascular structure of tumors, but its side effects limit its clinical use.

MRI (“Magnetic Resonance Imaging”) scans have been a real advancement in medicine’s diagnostic abilities and their use in mesothelioma diagnosis has been especially important. MRI provides superior results over CT in differentiating between malignant and benign disease, as well as in diagnosing the extent of tumor invasion of the chest wall and diaphragm. Perfusion MRI has shown promise for microvascular imaging and is useful for tracking the effect of chemotherapy.

PET (“Positron Emission Tomography”) is also useful to distinguish between malignant and benign tissue and is useful staging examination and prognosis. In combination with CT, PET is useful for determining tumor respectability, as well as detection of the extent of the disease and identifying distant tumor locations.

Labels: mesothelioma