Though a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is always considered terminal, patients whose disease is identified and treated early tend to live longer and enjoy better quality of life. A new recommendation for earlier screening in smokers is geared towards early diagnosis of lung cancer, but may end up benefitting those smokers who are also at risk for the rare, asbestos-related disease.Â
New Guideline May Benefit Mesothelioma Victims
The revised guideline from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is meant to identify lung cancer in smokers, but physicians specializing in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma say it may end up spotting mesothelioma tumors far earlier than they would have been otherwise. The new guidance suggests that smokers between the ages of 50 and 80 with a history of having smoked a pack a day for twenty years or more undergo annual low-dose CT scans. Many of those individuals may also have been exposed to asbestos, and tumors that are detected may turn out to be mesothelioma.
Low-dose CT scans have proven effective at identifying tumors in both lung cancer patients and those with malignant mesothelioma long before they begin to exhibit symptoms. Studies have shown that when high risk patients have these tests on a regular basis, their tumors are identified far earlier, and their outcomes improve significantly.
Low-Dose CT Scans Identify Mesothelioma Tumors
CT scans are just one of the many diagnostic studies that have proven helpful in identifying malignant mesothelioma, but doctors only order X-Rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasound studies once patients exhibit symptoms of the rare asbestos-related disease. Having screening conducted before symptoms appear has the potential to identify tumors long before they begin causing discomfort or disability.
If you or someone you love is at risk for malignant mesothelioma or has received a diagnosis, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can provide you with the resources that you need. Call us today at 1-800-692-8608.
