Mesothelioma Initial Evaluation

The initial patient evaluation(s) are critical in identifying patients at risk for developing mesothelioma. To establish risk factors and the presence of symptoms, your physician will complete a medical history that includes questions to help determine the timeframe and environment in which you may have been exposed to asbestos. Communication between the patient and doctor is important so that the earliest possible detection of mesothelioma can be made. Make certain that you have shared all relevant information regarding previous work history and possible asbestos exposure with your physician.

In addition to constructing a medical profile and detailed medical history, a complete physical examination will be performed. During a physical exam your doctor may look for the following:
Breath Sounds: listening to the chest cavity as the patient inhales/exhales there may be an absence of breath sounds, or these sounds may be muted. The absence of, or muted nature of, these breath sounds may be an indication of fluid in the chest cavity, or of pleural effusions.

A doctor may listen to the chest cavity while having the patient make vowel sounds - comparing the sound resonance in the right and left chest cavities. Muted, or dull, sounds between the cavities could be an indicator of a buildup of fluid.

By percussing, or tapping, on the chest area a doctor may notice a dull, solid thumping sound, rather than a hollow resonance. This may also indicate the presence of fluid, or a mass, in the chest cavity.

A physical examination will also check for enlarged lymph nodes.

There are often very few signs during an initial physical exam that would identify the presence of mesothelioma. On the basis of patient symptoms, medical history, the presence of specific risk factors (work environment, asbestos exposure), and a complete physical examination, the doctor can use one or more of the methods described below to determine if the disease is present.