Because the symptoms of mesothelioma are very similar to those associated with less severe respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, asthma or bronchitis, the disease can easily be misdiagnosed or overlooked. Consequently, choosing a highly qualified oncologist specialized in mesothelioma cases and undergoing specific tests and diagnostic procedures are crucial for a proper and accurate evaluation. Due to the aggressive nature of the disease and its overall poor prognosis, prompt specialized treatment is essential if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma.

One or a combination of the following treatment options is available for patients with mesothelioma:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Surgery (Laparotomy, Laparoscopy, Cytoreduction with HIPEC)

Diagnosing mesothelioma is a very complex and challenging process. Its symptoms can be mistaken for the signs of a less severe respiratory condition such as pneumonia and your physician will first try to rule out this possibility. If you still experience unpleasant symptoms, additional tests and diagnostic procedures are required to confirm or infirm the presence of mesothelioma. Therefore, the entire diagnostic process can easily take up to three months.

The following methods will be used in the diagnostic process:

• Blood tests such as MESOMARK or Fibulin-3, which can detect abnormal levels of certain biomarkers frequently associated mesothelioma
• Needle, camera-assisted or surgical biopsies to confirm or infirm the presence of cancerous cells within the collected tissue samples
• Imaging scans (CT scans, X-rays, MRI or PET scans) for a detailed analysis of the chest or abdominal region

Mesothelioma is a rarely encountered form of cancer, hence the low number of oncologists specialized in diagnosing and treating it. Finding a doctor who can efficiently and promptly guide you towards the best diagnostic methods and treatment approaches can be very difficult, particularly if there are few or none available in your area. However, opting for the services of a mesothelioma expert is crucial and can tremendously help you obtain an accurate diagnosis or, if your disease has already been confirmed, improve your prognosis.

A doctor specializing in mesothelioma cases can offer you:

• accurate and up-to-date information regarding the disease
• guide you through the diagnostic process by referring you to a series of other medical experts such as radiologists, oncologists, pulmonologists and pathologists
• present you all the available treatment options if mesothelioma is confirmed, including alternative options and experimental treatments you can undergo in clinical trial

The earlier mesothelioma is detected, the more treatment options are available. Additionally, the disease is more likely to respond to treatment when a patient has been diagnosed with stage 1 or stage 2 mesothelioma. Therefore, diagnosing mesothelioma in its incipient phases is essential, as it can greatly improve your prognosis and even lead to the remission of cancer if you undergo immediate treatment.

Consulting with a doctor specializing in mesothelioma when one or more of the following symptoms occur can prove to be crucial if the disease is indeed present:

• Difficulty breathing and swallowing
• Chest pains
• Excessive sweating
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fever
• Coughing up blood
• Lumps under the surface of skin on the chest
• Fatigue

A cancer diagnosis is always devastating, regardless of the type and severity of the disease. Nevertheless, struggling with mesothelioma is perhaps even more difficult due to the aggressive nature and negative prognosis associated with this form of cancer. Our primary mission is to provide reliable and up-to-date medical resources for people who believe might suffer from mesothelioma, as well as for patients who have already been diagnosed. We understand how challenging and frustrating not being able to find the right specialist who can quickly offer you appropriate treatment can be.

We are permanently willing to dedicate our time and effort to making useful medical resources available to anyone who might need them. Our main goals are the following:

• To educate as many people as possible about mesothelioma
• To help patients find the right mesothelioma specialist who can provide them with effective treatment
• To prompt people who are at high risk for mesothelioma to get diagnosed