Key Takeaways
- A mesothelioma biopsy removes a sample of tissue or cells so a pathologist can examine it for signs of cancer.
- Imaging tests such as CT scans, PET scans, and X-rays can identify suspicious areas, but imaging alone usually cannot confirm mesothelioma.
- For suspected pleural mesothelioma, doctors may use thoracoscopy to examine the pleural space and collect tissue samples.
- Testing fluid from a pleural effusion may identify abnormal cells, but fluid testing alone may not provide enough information to confirm mesothelioma.
- Pathologists may use immunohistochemistry to help distinguish mesothelioma from other cancers that can appear similar.
- A biopsy can help identify whether mesothelioma is epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic.
- Biopsy results are combined with imaging and other examinations to help doctors understand the disease and plan treatment.
A mesothelioma biopsy is one of the most important steps in determining whether someone has mesothelioma. Imaging tests such as CT scans and PET scans can identify unusual areas around the lungs, but imaging alone usually cannot confirm that those changes are mesothelioma.
A biopsy allows doctors to collect cells or tissue and examine them under a microscope. This can help confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, identify the type of cancer cells present, and provide information that may help guide treatment.
What Is a Mesothelioma Biopsy?
A mesothelioma biopsy is a procedure in which a doctor removes a sample of tissue or cells from an area where cancer is suspected.
The sample is sent to a laboratory, where a pathologist examines it for signs of cancer. Pathologists are doctors who specialize in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues.
For suspected mesothelioma, obtaining an adequate tissue sample can be especially important because mesothelioma may resemble other cancers and conditions under imaging tests.
Why Is a Biopsy Needed for Mesothelioma?
CT scans, PET scans, X-rays, and other imaging tests can show abnormalities such as pleural thickening, tumors, or fluid around the lungs. However, these findings do not always reveal exactly what is causing them.
A mesothelioma biopsy provides doctors with actual tissue that can be examined for cancer cells.
According to the National Cancer Institute, biopsy is used to help diagnose malignant mesothelioma. Laboratory testing of the tissue can also help doctors distinguish mesothelioma from other cancers.
What Happens During a Mesothelioma Biopsy?
The exact procedure depends on where the suspected cancer is located and how much tissue doctors need.
For pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the tissue surrounding the lungs, doctors may use a procedure called thoracoscopy. During this procedure, a thin instrument is inserted through a small opening in the chest so doctors can examine the pleural space and collect tissue samples.
Other biopsy techniques may be used depending on the person’s individual situation.
The goal is to obtain enough tissue for a pathologist to make an accurate diagnosis.
Can Fluid Around the Lungs Diagnose Mesothelioma?
People with pleural mesothelioma commonly develop excess fluid around the lungs, known as a pleural effusion.
Doctors may remove some of this fluid through a procedure called thoracentesis and examine it for abnormal cells.
However, testing pleural fluid alone may not always provide enough information to confirm mesothelioma. If mesothelioma is still suspected, doctors may need a tissue biopsy.
This is one reason a mesothelioma biopsy can be an important part of the diagnostic process.
What Do Doctors Look for in the Biopsy?
After tissue is collected, a pathologist examines the cells under a microscope.
Additional laboratory tests, including immunohistochemistry, may be used to look for proteins or other markers that help distinguish mesothelioma from cancers that can appear similar.
Doctors may also determine the mesothelioma cell type.
The three major histologic types are:
- Epithelioid
- Sarcomatoid
- Biphasic, which contains both epithelioid and sarcomatoid features
Knowing the cell type can provide doctors with additional information about the cancer and may influence treatment planning.
Does a Mesothelioma Biopsy Determine the Stage?
A biopsy helps establish what type of cancer is present, but it is not usually the only information doctors use to determine the cancer’s stage.
Doctors may combine biopsy results with imaging tests and other examinations to determine how far the disease has spread.
CT scans and PET scans can help doctors evaluate areas of the chest and other parts of the body. Information from these tests can then be considered alongside the mesothelioma biopsy results when developing a treatment plan.
What Happens After a Mesothelioma Biopsy?
If the biopsy confirms mesothelioma, doctors may perform additional testing to better understand the disease.
The next steps can include determining the cancer’s stage, reviewing its cell type, evaluating the person’s overall health, and discussing possible treatments.
Treatment for mesothelioma can include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, or combinations of treatments depending on the individual case.
A diagnosis may also lead patients to look more closely at their history of asbestos exposure, since asbestos is the primary known cause of mesothelioma.
Final Thoughts
A mesothelioma biopsy plays an important role in accurately diagnosing the disease.
Imaging tests can help doctors locate suspicious areas, but examining actual tissue allows a pathologist to determine whether cancer cells are present and whether they are consistent with mesothelioma.
The results can also provide information about the type of mesothelioma cells present and help doctors determine appropriate next steps.
Anyone undergoing testing for possible mesothelioma should discuss the purpose, benefits, and risks of a biopsy with their healthcare team.
At Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Information, we understand how overwhelming a possible or confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis can feel, and you do not have to face it alone.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, call us today at 800-505-6000 or reach out through our contact form and someone will be with you right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mesothelioma biopsy?
A mesothelioma biopsy is a procedure in which a doctor removes a sample of tissue or cells from an area where cancer is suspected. A pathologist then examines the sample for signs of cancer.
Why is a biopsy needed to diagnose mesothelioma?
Imaging tests can reveal abnormalities such as tumors, pleural thickening, or fluid around the lungs, but they do not always show exactly what is causing them. A biopsy provides actual tissue that can be examined for cancer cells.
What happens during a mesothelioma biopsy?
The procedure depends on where the suspected cancer is located and how much tissue doctors need. For suspected pleural mesothelioma, doctors may perform a thoracoscopy to examine the pleural space and collect tissue samples.
Can fluid around the lungs diagnose mesothelioma?
Doctors can remove pleural fluid through thoracentesis and examine it for abnormal cells. However, testing pleural fluid alone may not provide enough information to confirm mesothelioma, so a tissue biopsy may still be necessary.
What do doctors look for in a mesothelioma biopsy?
A pathologist examines the tissue for cancer cells. Additional laboratory testing, including immunohistochemistry, may be used to identify markers that help distinguish mesothelioma from other cancers that can look similar.
Can a biopsy determine the type of mesothelioma cells?
Yes. A biopsy can help doctors determine whether the mesothelioma is epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic. Knowing the cell type can provide additional information about the cancer and may influence treatment planning.
Does a mesothelioma biopsy determine the cancer’s stage?
A biopsy helps establish what type of cancer is present, but it is not usually the only information used to determine stage. Doctors may combine biopsy results with CT scans, PET scans, and other examinations to evaluate how far the disease has spread.
What happens after a mesothelioma biopsy?
If a biopsy confirms mesothelioma, doctors may perform additional testing to determine the cancer’s stage, review its cell type, evaluate the patient’s overall health, and discuss possible treatment options.
Sources:
Treatment for Mesothelioma – NCI
Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging of Mesothelioma | American Cancer Society
