Diagnostic Studies

These articles may offer a comprehensive review of current diagnostic tools for mesothelioma, or they may analyze specific diagnostic approaches separately. They will also cover topics such as markers for the early recognition of the disease or its recurrence following therapy.

Current problems in the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

The diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is challenging although MPM is highly aggressive tumor. - Kyobu Geka. 2007 Jan;60(1):14-8

A molecular diagnostic test for distinguishing lung adenocarcinoma from malignant mesothelioma using cells collected from pleural effusions.

Patients with malignant mesothelioma or adenocarcinoma of the lung often present with respiratory complications associated with a malignant pleural effusion. - Clin Cancer Res. 2006 Sep 1;12(17):5129-35

'Mucin-positive' epithelial mesothelioma of the peritoneum: an unusual diagnostic pitfall.

This case of primary peritoneal 'mucin-positive' epithelial mesothelioma demonstrates morphological and histochemical mimicry with diffuse gastric adenocarcinoma. - Histopathology 2000 Jul;37(1):33-6

Circulating natural killer cells in retired asbestos cement workers

The effect of past exposure to asbestos on natural killer (NK) cell number and activity is uncertain. - J Occup Environ Med 2000 Jan;42(1):19-24

Laparoscopy and mesothelioma

At present, exploratory laparoscopy offers the quickest, safest, and least invasive way to confirm the clinical diagnosis of peritoneal malignant mesothelioma. - J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 1999 Oct;9(5):433-7

Cytologic diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, with particular emphasis on the epithelia noncohesive cell type.

The effusion cytologies from 21 cases of malignant mesothelioma (MM) (15 pleural, 6 peritoneal) diagnosed at the Indiana University Medical Center during 1990-9\1997 were reviewed. -Diagn Cytopathol 1999 Feb;20(2):57-62

Prognostic value of FDG PET imaging in malignant pleural mesothelioma

The purpose of this study was to assess whether tumor metabolic activity, as assessed by fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET imaging, correlates inversely with survival. - J Nucl Med 1999 Aug;40(8):1241-5

Medical thoracoscopy in the diagnosis of unexplained pleural effusion.

Approximately 20% of pleural effusions remain without an established aetiology after evaluation. Thoracoscopy has a very high sensitivity for the diagnosis of both benign and malignant diseases and greatly increases the diagnostic yield for pleural effusion. - Respirology 1998 Jun;3(2):77-80