When a patient is suspected of having malignant pleural mesothelioma, physicians run through a series of diagnostic tests to either confirm or rule out the rare, asbestos-related disease. But a recent case documented by researchers at Case Western Reserve notes that traditional diagnostic tools can sometimes fall short, highlighting the need for comprehensive testing.
Case Western Reserve Documents Mesothelioma Diagnosis
In an important warning to physicians treating patients exposed to asbestos, researchers at Case Western University recently published a case report on a 77-year-old patient suspected of having malignant mesothelioma based on his occupational history and findings of fluid and air in the pleural space around his lungs.
His physicians conducted a test of the pleural fluid, but microscopic examination gave no signs of mesothelioma. They then ordered PET/CT scans using a radioactive tracer that measures the metabolic rate of cells. This test also came back negative for the rare form of cancer.
Physician’s Persistence Reveals Mesothelioma
Unsatisfied with the results in combination with the man’s symptoms, his physicians performed a biopsy, which confirmed that his symptoms were a result of pleural mesothelioma. The team concluded that the positive scan results may have been caused by the tumor’s small size, as well as by his age’s impact on his metabolic rate. This theory was previous the subject of a study on the use of PET/CT on the elderly.
Writing in the journal Cureus, author Haley Corbin of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine warned, “Older patients with early stage malignant pleural mesothelioma are more likely to have false-negative FDG PET/CT results. Pleural biopsy is essential when there is clinical suspicion for mesothelioma, even with negative initial FDG PET imaging.”
If you or someone you love is at risk for malignant mesothelioma, regular screening and comprehensive testing are essential. For information on the resources available to you, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
