How Doctors Diagnose Mesothelioma

Few things are more traumatic than a cancer diagnosis, especially when the illness is a result of unhealthy, dangerous working conditions. If you live in or around New York and work with materials containing asbestos, it’s important to consult a mesothelioma attorney, like those at The Williams Law Firm, P.C., as soon as your health will allow.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, a protective lining that surrounds internal organs in the chest and abdomen. The only way to develop mesothelioma is through exposure to asbestos, a durable, inexpensive fiber-like mineral used in many industries despite the health risks posed to workers.

To determine whether or not you have mesothelioma, your doctor will conduct a variety of tests, including:

•  A physical exam
• Asking you questions about your medical history, especially any risk factors you have for exposure to asbestos
• Chest X-ray
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a full body scan that produces detailed images of soft tissue
• Drawing blood, fluid and/or tissue samples
•  A surgical biopsy, if your doctor finds evidence of a tumor