February 11, 2014 – Diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma has been historically difficult because the presenting symptoms are not specific to just this disease and are common to many other medical conditions. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain, swelling or fluid in the abdomen, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. The symptoms generally do not surface for up to 20 to 50 years after an exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, with the long latency period and the aggressive nature of mesothelioma tumors, a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis is usually not confirmed until the disease has already reached an advanced stage. As with most other cancers, the early detection and diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is a critical factor in the fight against this disease.
A new study published in the World Journal of Surgical Oncology may prove to be helpful in the diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma. Percutaneous needle biopsies are already routinely used for diagnosing lesions in several organs including the kidneys, liver and pancreas. In this new study, a group of Chinese researchers attempted to determine if an ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle biopsy could successfully be used in a safe manner as a diagnostic procedure for peritoneal lesions, specifically in patients presenting with abdominal swelling and peritoneal fluid buildup.
The researchers retrospectively examined medical data on 153 patients who all sought medical assistance for abdominal swelling with no known cause. Each patient had undergone an ultrasound in which there were abnormalities detected. Following the ultrasound, each participant also had a percutaneous needle biopsy performed. Physicians used an ultrasound during the procedures as a means of guidance to help them properly identify the exact location of the tissue sample that was to be collected.
In all 153 cases, the procedure was deemed successful. No serious complications occurred. As for the tumor tissue samples retrieved, 91.5 percent of them were satisfactory and 142 of the 153 patients were given a specific diagnosis following the biopsy. Peritoneal mesothelioma was identified as the correct diagnosis in 11 of the patients. The majority of the patients were diagnosed with peritoneal metastatic adenocarcinoma, followed by peritoneal tuberculosis. The overall diagnostic accuracy rate was 92.8 percent. The researchers concluded that an ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle biopsy can be used as a means to safely and accurately diagnose various abdominal diseases including peritoneal mesothelioma.
New Jersey Mesothelioma Lawyers at the Shein Law: Decades of Experience Representing Mesothelioma Victims in the Philadelphia Region
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma or any other type of mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestos-related illness, contact the experienced mesothelioma attorneys at the Shein Law. We will aggressively advocate on your behalf to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled. Our law offices are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Pennsauken, New Jersey, but we would be happy to meet with you at a location that is more convenient to you and your family. Call the Shein Law today at 1-877-SHEINLAW (743-4652) to schedule a free consultation or contact us online.