Mesothelioma-Aid.Org is a crucial reference source on mesothelioma. Patients and their families who are affected by this dangerous illness rely on Mesothelioma-Aid.Org for news and information. Mesothelioma is a variety of cancer that strikes at the pleural mesothelium, the layer of tissue surrounding the lungs. Mesothelioma-Aid.Org furnishes visitors with the most recent news stories on research projects, treatment applications, and new discoveries on this fatal disease. Mesothelioma-Aid.Org recently added new information on histology of mesothelioma.
Histology is the study of the structure of organic cells and tissues. Most histological examinations use a microscope to determine the structure and behavior of cells, especially cells that could potentially form malignant tumors. Most doctors and oncologists use histological analysis to examine mesothelial cells to determine the presence and extent of a patient’s mesothelioma. The study of unhealthy tissue under a microscope, called histopathology, is also used extensively in examining tissue samples from mesothelioma patients.
Doctors often study the results of histological reports to determine if a tumor is benign or malignant. The histology results, combined with the patient’s symptoms, medical history and other factors, help doctors and oncologists make the proper diagnosis. Doctors often obtain the cell sample when patients will typically undergo a biopsy. A biopsy is a surgical procedure where the surgeon removes a small portion of a tumor for later analysis. A biopsy is strictly a diagnostic procedure and is not used to extract or treat a tumor.
For mesothelioma patients, the biopsy procedure involves a long needle or syringe. A doctor will insert the needle into the chest cavity and extract a small cell sample from the pleural mesothelium. The sample will then be placed in a preservative solution to insure that the cells are still alive for later analysis. The doctor will often examine the cell sample without a microscope for initial signs of cancer. For instance, differences in shape and color in cell samples can be indicators of the cell’s health.
The sample is later preserved in wax to protect it against contaminants and temperature changes. A histologist will cut the sample into thin, translucent slices for examination under a microscope. The histologist may also inject chemicals, such as liquid dyes, to bring out the features of the cells for better analysis. This type of analysis is effective when comparing the characteristics found in the cell sample to those of both healthy cells and malignant cancer cells.
The dyes and chemicals used in histological analysis can also create reactions with the cell sample. These reactions are also helpful in determining the nature of cells themselves. For instance, if healthy cells fail to react to a certain chemical, but malignant cells react in a noticeable manner, the presence of such a reaction will lead the histologist to the proper diagnosis.
Histologists can also test the cell sample for the presence of particular antibodies. Cancer cells often create unique antibodies as the cell’s genetic structure changes from healthy to malignant. In mesothelioma patients, these antibody tests can determine the difference between different types of the disease. Doctors can then create an effective treatment plan based on the type of disease.
For more information, please visit our website at www.mesothelioma-aid.org.