Mesothelioma- An Overview

Clinical Features with History/Physical Examination
1-hx of asbestos exposure
2-age between 60 and 80 years
3-shortness of breath
4-diminished breath sounds
5-dullness to percussion


Other diagnostic factors
male sex
chest pain
cough
constitutional symptoms
abdominal distention and/or pain


Diagnostic Tests


1st tests to order
chest x-ray
chest CT scan


Tests to consider
thoracentesis
video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
biopsy
chest MRI
PET scan
cervical mediastinoscopy
PFT
FBC
basic metabolic panel

Treatment details


Acute
operable disease
surgery
pre- and/or postoperative chemotherapy
radiotherapy
inoperable or recurrent disease
chemotherapy
radiotherapy
palliative procedures