Mesothelioma can be a devastating form of cancer. It has a relatively low five-year survival rate after diagnosis and is very difficult to treat. Most treatments only help extend the life of the patient, rather than eliminating the cancer and helping them achieve remission.
The current in difficulty diagnosing mesothelioma is one reason why this form of cancer is so deadly. It begins in the lining of the organs. Many times, mesothelioma starts around the heart or lungs. The development rate is initially very slow, and people may not have any warning signs until the cancer has started to spread.
It can take decades for mesothelioma to create worrisome symptoms. Many professionals exposed to asbestos at work think they are in the clear because they are healthy for years after leaving their jobs. By the time doctors diagnose them with mesothelioma, the cancer may have already begun to spread. The best chances of survival and a higher quality of life come from early diagnosis and treatment. Researchers may have found a way to use blood tests to diagnose mesothelioma earlier.
What have medical researchers achieved?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma often involves biopsies following intensive imaging tests. Patients usually need to have symptoms before they seek testing. They feel lethargic, develop a cough or have other generic symptoms that persist for months. It can take some time to reach a diagnosis. By that point, their treatment options are limited.
Researchers have found a new blood testing method that may allow for earlier diagnosis. By looking at DNA within the blood, medical professionals may be able to find swapped sections of DNA that indicate mesothelioma development.
Historically, mesothelioma has been difficult to detect with blood tests. It does not cause many single-point genetic mutations. That is usually what blood tests for cancer try to detect. However, the condition does cause unusual rearrangements of chromosomes.
New blood tests may look for chromosomal changes in blood samples. Those previously exposed to asbestos may eventually be able to undergo routine blood testing to identify the early warning signs of mesothelioma before they develop symptoms.
In such cases, they may be eligible for treatments that could include surgery and immunotherapy. The prognosis of patients diagnosed before mesothelioma begins spreading can be better than the prognosis of those with later-stage mesothelioma.
Proactive communication with doctors is important for those exposed to asbestos and concerned about mesothelioma. Compensation claims after a diagnosis can help people pay for treatment and support their families when their condition worsens.