Patients that are exhibiting mesothelioma symptoms
such as a large buildup of fluid in the chest or abdomen, and that have
a history of asbestos exposure, will frequently be sent for a biopsy of
the fluid and/or tissue by their doctor. There are two primary types of
biopsies that mesothelioma patients may undergo: needle biopsies and
surgical biopsies.
Mesothelioma is a disease that is characterized by a long latency
period and symptoms that often mimic those of more minor upper
respiratory conditions. As a result, diagnosis of this cancer is often
delayed. Frequently, by the time that a patient is diagnosed with the
disease, it has progressed to advanced stages where therapeutic
treatment options become more limited.
This section discusses the types of biopsies that may be performed,
which biopsy procedures are recommended depending on where the fluid
buildup is occurring and the types of information that can be acquired
through biopsy to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma.
A fine needle biopsy is considered to be a closed biopsy procedure
and therefore less invasive than open surgical biopsies. Pleural biopsy
is the most common closed biopsy procedure that is performed to aid in
the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Other types of closed biopsy procedures
include thoracentesis and paracentesis . This section discusses each of
these procedures in more detail including their primary purpose, how
they are performed, what to expect and any risks associated with them.
Surgical biopsies are open procedures and are more invasive than the
aforementioned needle biopsies. As a result, doctors take a more
conservative approach with them and prescribe them when the less
invasive biopsy procedures yield inconclusive results or if it is
indicated that it would not be safe to perform them. In this section,
learn about the different types of surgical biopsies that are available
including why they are performed, what to expect if your doctor
recommends one and what the associated risks are.
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