Signs and symptoms of Mesothelioma can include:
- Pain in the side of the chest or lower back
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Fever
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue
- Weight loss (without trying)
- Trouble swallowing (feeling like food gets stuck)
- Hoarseness
- Swelling of the face and arms
If you have any concerning symptoms you should contact your GP first.
Diagnostic tests
Common diagnostic tests to identify lung cancer are outlined in theÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý¾±²Ô³¦±ô³Ü»å±ð:
- CT scan
- BronchoscopyÌý –Ìýthis procedure involves examining theÌýair passages in theÌýlungs and will examine the airways. Biopsies are also usually taken.Ìý
- Endobronchial Ultrasound (often called EBUS)Ìý –Ìýthis is similar to a bronchoscopy butÌýalso looks at theÌýlymph nodes using an ultrasound probe and will take biopsies from these nodes.
- Lung BiopsyÌý–Ìýthis procedure involvesÌýgetting a very small piece of lung tissue by passing a needle through the skin into your chest and into the lung.
- Endoscopic UltrasoundÌý–Ìýthis procedureÌýexamines and biopsies enlarged lymph glands that have been seen in the chest throughÌýthe oesophagus (gullet). Biopsies are usuallyÌýtaken.
- Fine Needle AspirationÌý – this procedure involves using a thin needle to remove samples of tissue (biopsy) or fluid from an organ of the body or a lump found under the skin. Often this is fromÌýa neck lymph node or from an organ such as the liver or adrenal gland.
- Removal of pleural fluidÌý –Ìýif fluid builds up in the lining of the lung this will need to be removed to try to identify the cause.ÌýSometimes large volumes of fluid can be removed and managed through various treatments.Ìý
- Lung Function testÌý– this test assesses the function of the lungs by using a specialised breathing machine.
- Exercise TestÌý– this tests assess the heart rate and blood pressure.
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- Surgical BronchoscopyÌý – this involves a general anaesthetic to allow the surgeon to examine the airways of the lung and to take a biopsy.
- MediastinoscopyÌý– this involves a general anaesthetic to allow the surgeon to take biopsies of the lymph glands in the middle of the chest by using a small incision in the breast bone.
- MediastinotomyÌý– this involves a general anaesthetic to allow the surgeon to take biopsies of the lymph glands that need to be taken through an incision in the upper chest wall by the collar bone.
- Video Assisted Thorascopic (VATs) Lung BiopsyÌý–Ìýthis involves aÌýgeneral anaestheticÌýand allows the surgeon to take samples of the lung, or the lining of the lung.