Despite recent advances in mesothelioma immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy remains the best method for diagnosing mesothelioma cancer from other cancers.
Many cancers are diagnosed with the use of electron microscopy, which employs a powerful electron microscope to view cancer cells up close. An electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to shine light on a specimen (such as cancer cells) and produce a highly-magnified image. Specialists then observe the illuminated specimen and look for physical characteristics that denote one type of cancer from another.
Electron microscopy has been very useful in the diagnosis of mesothelioma, a cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma statistics report that an average of 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with the cancer each year in the United States. An accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma is very important to the treatment process, as different types of mesothelioma respond to different types of treatments.
mesothelioma cancer has three major subtypes that have been well established in the medical community, including epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Of these three subtypes, mesothelioma electron microscopy has been the most helpful in diagnosing epithelial mesothelioma from other types of cancer. It has been less helpful in diagnosing sarcomatoid mesotheliomas.
When medical specialists observe a cancerous specimen using electron microscopy, they look for physical structures such as microvilli and intermediate filaments, which are basic components of many cells that may look different depending upon the type of cancer. Specialists will also look for cell patterns that help to differentiate one cancer from another.
An accurate diagnosis is essential for the optimal treatment of any cancer, and mesothelioma is no exception. mesothelioma electron microscopy remains the best method for accurately diagnosing malignant mesothelioma and this is crucial to improving prognosis. Although there is presently no cure for mesothelioma, early and accurate diagnosis can improve a patient’s prognosis and potentially their quality of life.
Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the mesothelioma Center.