Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis

In Summary: Some doctors don’t have a strong background with a rare disease like pleural mesothelioma, cancer that grows on the tissue lining of the lung. Then there are others who could mistake the disease for lung cancer since tumors appear so close together. Peritoneal mesothelioma, cancer lining the abdomen, is even rarer, with pericardial mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the heart, the rarest of all three. When a disease like this is around, doctors can sometimes have a difficult time locating or realizing it. Symptoms of these diseases also mirror those of less severe illnesses, making it even easier to misdiagnose. Read on if you’d like to learn more about diagnosing mesothelioma, what to do if you think you’ve gotten a misdiagnosis, and how to reduce your chances of getting one.

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The Difficulty in Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Each year, only 3,300 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed. Thus, many doctors have little experience with the disease or don’t understand its complexity. It typically takes more than one doctor to reach an accurate diagnosis. As such, the misdiagnosis of mesothelioma as lung cancer or another disease is common.

Too, other factors may cause a misdiagnosis. Doctors commonly use imaging tests like X-rays, or CT scans to locate tumors. These scans may not always accurately diagnose specific types of cancer.

In some cases, when pathologists (i.e., physicians who determine the causes and effects of diseases) view cells, they mistake one cancer for another. Since the cell structure of mesothelioma is similar to other cancers, pathologists who have little experience with these cells may misdiagnose them as something else.

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Common Misdiagnoses

Often, mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other common illnesses, making an accurate diagnosis more difficult. As a patient, it’s important to tell your doctor about any previous asbestos exposure. This information helps your medical team narrow down the list of possible diseases.

Possible misdiagnoses depend on the type and may include:

Pleural Mesothelioma

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Emphysema
Influenza (flu)
Lung cancer
Pneumonia
Other respiratory disorders
Recurrent pleural effusion

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Gallstones
Hernia
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Other abdominal cancers
Ovarian cancer

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Coronary artery disease
Heart disease

Misdiagnosis of Stage

Rather than a completely inaccurate diagnosis, doctors sometimes diagnose cancers in the wrong stage. Oncologists use the staging process to determine how far cancer cells have spread throughout the body.

Patients diagnosed in a later stage may find their cancer is not as advanced as previously assumed. Other patients may be diagnosed at an earlier stage when tumors have already spread throughout the body.

Doctors may deliver a misdiagnosis of a cancer’s stage because each case is unique and patients experience a broad spectrum of different symptoms.

Second Opinions

Typically, patients diagnosed with cancer want a variety of legal, safe, and proven treatment options. Getting a second opinion can allow another doctor to study test results and likely offer an alternative plan.

When seeking a second opinion, patients meet doctors who specialize in your type – and sometimes stage – of cancer and may receive better treatment options. It’s best to seek a second opinion if your doctor is not experienced with your form of cancer.

Before seeking a second opinion, make sure you have:

A list of all your medications, doses, and when you took them
The summary of your doctor’s current treatment plan or the proposed plan
If you were in the hospital, a copy of the discharge summary
Operative report (details of previous surgeries)
The pathology report from any biopsy or surgery

The Correct Diagnosis Matters

The type of cancer you have determines the treatment you will receive. Too, misdiagnosed patients likely aren’t receiving the correct treatment to improve their condition and quality of life.

Tests that can help accurately diagnose mesothelioma include:

Reviewing the potential history of legal and illegal asbestos exposure
Imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans
Pathology tests looking for specific mesothelioma cell types
Genetic tests looking for mutations associated with mesothelioma
Blood tests looking for mesothelioma biomarkers

It is essential to be honest and accurate with your healthcare provider about possible asbestos exposure to ensure you receive the correct diagnosis.

After Diagnosis

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be eligible for compensation from the companies who manufactured asbestos or the employer who was responsible for your exposure. Complete our free case evaluation to see if you qualify for a legal claim.