Mesothelioma Biopsy

A biopsy is a crucial diagnostic procedure doctors use to detect mesothelioma. They are performed to determine whether a suspicious lesion is cancerous and can also be useful when trying to distinguish a specific type of cancer. Performing a biopsy is one of the most definitive ways to ensure diagnosis an accurate of asbestos cancer.

During this procedure, a surgeon removes a tissue or fluid sample for analysis. A pathologist then views the sample’s cells under a microscope, which reveals their features, activity and interactions. Biopsies can also prove when cancer is not the correct diagnosis.

Various methods for biopsy exist, including techniques that use needles, bronchoscopes and surgery to obtain samples. Depending on the invasiveness of the method used, local or general anesthesia may be required.

The type and location of a patient’s tumor dictates which procedure should be performed. Peritoneal mesothelioma patients commonly undergo a fine-needle aspiration biopsy, while a thoracoscopic biopsy is more effective for patients with pleural mesothelioma. Because 75 percent of all asbestos cancer cases involve the protective layer of the lungs, the majority of patients undergo thoracoscopies

Thoracoscopy

Thoracoscopic biopsy has a remarkable track record of accurate diagnoses. Also known as open pleural biopsy, this procedure allows doctors to see into the pleural space and retrieve multiple tissue samples. Most treatment centers offer video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), which uses a camera and various small tools to collect samples.

Several studies reported that a thoracoscopy can make an accurate diagnosis in up to 98 percent of asbestos cancer patients. Direct examination of the pleura may also help with determining cancer stage and the patient's prognosis.

In a 2008 postmortem study of 45 malignant mesothelioma patients, researchers compared the accuracy of several biopsy techniques, including open pleural biopsy, closed needle biopsy and computer tomography (CT)-guided biopsy. The open pleural procedure displayed the highest diagnostic accuracy, confirming a diagnosis in 95 percent of patients with the disease