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- What Are the Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma and Why Are They Misdiagnosed?
- The Latency Period of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Detection
- Why Standard Imaging Scans and Biopsies Struggle to Detect Mesothelioma Early
- How to Get an Accurate Mesothelioma Diagnosis: Why Second Opinions Matter
- Have Questions? Talk to One of Our Mesothelioma Lawyers Today
- Mesothelioma’s early symptoms can resemble other conditions, which may contribute to a delayed diagnosis.
- Most mesothelioma patients develop the disease 20 to 60 years after their initial asbestos exposure. This long latency period can prevent patients and doctors from immediately connecting their symptoms to past asbestos exposure.
- Imaging scans and biopsies can be challenging to interpret, and a review from experienced mesothelioma specialists is often necessary to receive an accurate diagnosis.
- If you have a history of asbestos exposure and are unsure whether your diagnosis is correct, a second opinion can provide clarity and help guide treatment decisions.
What Are the Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma and Why Are They Misdiagnosed?
Because pleural mesothelioma—the most common type of mesothelioma—affects the lining surrounding the lungs, its earliest signs often resemble those of standard respiratory illnesses. These symptoms may include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
When making an assessment, doctors generally begin by considering the most likely causes of a patient’s condition. Mesothelioma is very rare, so doctors may initially suspect a more common condition, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, or COPD.
However, a known history of asbestos exposure may change that assessment. If doctors know that a patient worked with asbestos or lived in a contaminated home, they may consider the patient’s symptoms in the context of a possible asbestos-related disease. This may lead them to order additional testing or refer the patient to a specialist, which could result in a quicker diagnosis.
The Latency Period of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Detection
Patients typically receive a mesothelioma diagnosis 20 to 60 years after their initial asbestos exposure. This unusually long latency period explains why many patients develop mesothelioma in their 60s, 70s, or 80s, long after they’ve stopped working around asbestos.
When a person inhales asbestos fibers, the fibers can remain in the body for many years. A person usually has no symptoms at the time of exposure, but the fibers may gradually irritate and damage cells in the mesothelial lining.
Over several decades, this chronic inflammation in the mesothelium can contribute to cellular mutations that cause cells to grow uncontrollably. These abnormal cells may eventually form mesothelioma tumors.
Why Standard Imaging Scans and Biopsies Struggle to Detect Mesothelioma Early
Standard diagnostic tools don’t always provide clear evidence of mesothelioma, especially during its early stages. On chest X-rays, mesothelioma can present with subtle tissue changes that may resemble simple scarring. High-resolution CT scans may reveal localized tissue abnormalities more clearly, while PET scans can highlight areas of increased metabolic activity often associated with cancer.
Doctors may also rely on tissue biopsies to make a diagnosis, but interpreting the samples can be difficult. Mesothelioma cells may resemble those of other cancers or of reactive mesothelial hyperplasia, a benign response to mesothelial injury. Pathologists must know how to identify the architectural features of mesothelioma and have a sufficient sample size to make that distinction.
How Mesothelioma Cell Type Affects Diagnosis
The diagnostic process may also differ depending on which of the three primary mesothelioma cell types appears in the sample:
- Epithelioid: This cell type is present in up to 80% of patients with malignant mesothelioma. It usually involves more than two different growth patterns, and identifying these patterns may help pathologists consider a mesothelioma diagnosis rather than another type of cancer.
- Sarcomatoid: This type consists of long, narrow cells that spread into surrounding tissue. Its appearance can make sarcomatoid mesothelioma difficult to distinguish from other cancers with similarly shaped cells.
- Biphasic: This type contains both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. A small biopsy may collect only one type, making the tumor harder to classify correctly.
How to Get an Accurate Mesothelioma Diagnosis: Why Second Opinions Matter
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, getting a second opinion can confirm that the diagnosis is correct. You may also want a second opinion if you have a history of asbestos exposure but received a different diagnosis.
Consider seeking this review from a thoracic oncologist or a dedicated mesothelioma treatment center. A mesothelioma specialist can review your medical history and imaging to determine whether additional testing is appropriate.
After you choose a specialist, they can explain how to authorize the transfer of your biopsy slides or tissue samples and connect you with an experienced pathologist who can review them. The pathologist may confirm or correct your diagnosis and identify the mesothelioma cell type. These findings can help your treatment team decide whether you qualify for modern treatment options, such as immunotherapy, cytoreductive surgery, or clinical trials.
Have Questions? Talk to One of Our Mesothelioma Lawyers Today
Several factors can make mesothelioma hard to diagnose, but it’s worth seeking answers if you have a history of asbestos exposure. Once you better understand your condition, The Gori Law Firm can help you take the next step toward pursuing mesothelioma compensation.
Our attorneys can investigate how your asbestos exposure occurred, identify the companies that may be responsible for your illness, and build a well-supported mesothelioma claim. We’ve recovered over $4 billion for people affected by asbestos-related diseases, and we’re ready to put our track record to work for your family. Call 618-659-9833 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.