Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have come up with a new test to detect mesothelioma that may be promising for diagnosing mesothelioma at an earlier stage. This can lead to more treatment options being available.
The new test to detect mesothelioma is homes in on swapped sections of DNA in the cancer cells. These are called chromosomal rearrangements. This could end up resulting in earlier detection of mesothelioma cancer cells.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that begins in the lining of certain organs in the body, most commonly the lining of the lungs. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can get lodged in certain other organ linings as well, such as the lining of the heart, abdomen, and testicles. It is important to know the symptoms of mesothelioma to try to detect the cancer as early as possible. Some common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, weight loss, and fever. About 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the United States, making it rare. Despite its rarity, it is particularly aggressive.
Common Treatments
Common treatment methods for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. In more recent years there has also been a focus on targeted therapies.
It is often difficult to detect mesothelioma with blood tests as the cancer shows a low number of single-point genetic mutations. Chromosomal rearrangements allow for this new test to detect mesothelioma to be an option.
New Test to Detect Mesothelioma Study
A study was done that was published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology Clinical and Research Reports in which a team of doctors utilized genome sequencing to find chromosomal alterations in the DNA of cancer cells. The next step was to create small pieces of DNA that were made in a lab to match and attach to the chromosomal changes, which they then searched for in the patient’s blood.
The only current way to diagnose mesothelioma is through a tissue biopsy. This new test to detect mesothelioma is promising for future research and early detection. Sometimes a patient’s health is too deteriorated to take a tissue biopsy, so this new method could be helpful.
Also, in many circumstances, mesothelioma is detected once it has already progressed, causing less treatment options to be available. For instance, a mesothelioma patient may not be able to undergo surgery if the cancer has progressed too much.
In all, early detection of mesothelioma is important when it comes to helping the patient have the best possible quality of life.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can be costly. Seeking and obtaining compensation for your mesothelioma diagnosis can help with things like medical expenses and lost wages. We are here to help. For more information or for a free case evaluation, call us at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form. We help mesothelioma victims in Pennsylvania get the compensation they deserve along with providing information along the way.
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