One of the most important aspects of mesothelioma is to diagnose it as early as possible. In around 70% of cases it causes fluid to build up, known as pleural effusion, between the layers of the lining of the lung cavity and about 1.5 million people in the U.S. a year have this problem. However the majority of cases of pleural effusion are not due to mesothelioma. It can be caused by congestive heart failure, pneumonia, kidney or liver problems, lung injury or tumors. The tumor types which most frequently cause pleural effusion include lung or breast cancer, and in about 3000 cases a year, mesothelioma.
Pleural effusion is usually diagnosed in those who have shortness of breath, a dry cough and chest pain, and if doctors hear abnormal chest sounds they will normally send the patient to have it confirmed by an x ray or ultrasound. If it is present, a sample is taken to discover the cause and the fluid may be drained to ease the symptoms.
Checking the fluid for cancer cells is one of the main ways that mesothelioma is diagnosed, so anyone who has the symptoms above should visit their doctor to gain a diagnosis, as survival rates for patients diagnosed with early stages of mesothelioma are usually longer.
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