Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer mainly caused by asbestos exposure. It mainly affects the pleura, which is the lining of the lungs, but it can also affect the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdomen. It is very tough for doctors to diagnose, leading to underdiagnosis. A recent study in Brazil’s São Paulo State Hospital Cancer Registry tried to find hidden cases and wanted to improve diagnosis. Researchers tried to find the reason why mesothelioma is so hard to diagnose. They also looked at early detection and pathologists’ roles.
It is hard to diagnose mesothelioma for multiple reasons. Some symptoms can include chest pain, breathing difficulties, and belly swelling, which are vague. They can be mistaken for less serious, more common issues, which delays diagnosis. The cancer also develops years after asbestos exposure, so it is hard to match symptoms to the initial exposure. There are also different types of mesothelioma that have different symptoms that look similar to other cancers. It takes specialized techniques to tell mesothelioma and other cancers apart. Mesothelioma is also simply overlooked by doctors. Some places have limited resources, so doctors are lacking advanced diagnostic tools.
The São Paulo study looked to improve mesothelioma diagnosis. It reviewed cases from the Hospital-Based Cancer Registry between 2000 and 2012. Expert pathologists re-evaluated reports and used immunohistochemical markers to confirm or reject diagnoses. There were 482 cases reviewed by the study team. Of the 482 cases, 130 needed extra analysis. Nine more cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed thanks to the extra analysis. The rate was improved by 12 percent. Two cases were also switched from mesothelioma to something else. The findings prove that incomplete or wrong diagnoses are a key reason for mesothelioma underdiagnosis in Brazil.
Detecting mesothelioma early is crucial because it can make treatment easier and can boost survival rates. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation also work better in the early stages. Early diagnosis offers more treatment choices. This can include surgeries aiming to cure and new treatments in clinical trials. Quick detection can also ease symptoms and enhance life quality.
Randomized clinical trials are crucial for finding and enhancing treatments. They compare methods to find the best option. Clinical trials test new treatments thoroughly. This effort looks to improve patient survival and quality of life. Clinical trials also provide evidence about safety and effectiveness of a treatment. Finally clinical trials shape clinical guidelines, ensuring patients receive the most effective treatments. Diagnosing mesothelioma is difficult due to vague symptoms, long delays, and complex features. A São Paulo study showcased the need for expert diagnosis and careful pathology reviews. Early detection is crucial because it boosts chances and opens more treatments. Clinical trials are also important because they develop and prove new therapies. By tackling these obstacles and using research, mesothelioma patients can be better helped.
