Mesothelioma Screening and Diagnosis

Early, effective detection of this rare cancer.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects an area between the lungs and the chest called the pleura. Because mesothelioma is so rare, and because its early symptoms are like those of many common lung disorders, it can be a challenge to find and diagnose the disease early.

The Henry Ford Cancer Institute has some of Michigan’s most advanced tools for diagnosing lung and pleural diseases, as well as some of the state’s most experienced specialists in treating mesothelioma. The goal of our team is to diagnose your mesothelioma as early as possible to give you the best chance for successful treatment.

How we diagnose mesothelioma

We use an extensive range of tools and techniques to diagnose mesothelioma, including:

• Complete medical history and exam.
• Imaging tests: Your doctor may order chest X-rays, a computed tomography (CT) scan or a positron emission tomography (PET) scan to gather detailed images of the inside of your body.
• Biopsy: If something looks suspicious after your imaging tests, your doctor may need to take a small sample of lung or pleural tissue and send it to the laboratory for further testing. We use minimally invasive techniques for a quick and virtually painless biopsy.

If your doctor diagnoses you with mesothelioma, we’ll bring your case to our thoracic cancer board. These professionals work together to create a personalized treatment plan for you that may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or surgery.

After your mesothelioma diagnosis

If our tests show that you have mesothelioma, we’ll spend several hours with you to explain your diagnosis, review your personalized treatment plan and answer your questions. We recommend that you bring a family member, friend or caregiver to your appointment, because you will learn a great deal of important information.

During your appointment, you will:

• Meet your nurse navigator
• Meet your team of doctors
• Learn about your disease and treatment options
• Get answers to your questions
• Schedule additional tests or appointments
• Connect with group resources

Your nurse navigator

The nurse navigator will be your main contact throughout the mesothelioma treatment process. Your nurse navigator will help schedule your appointments, answer any questions you have and connect you with additional support services.