> Pleural Mesothelioma > Mesothelioma Diagnosis > Imaging Scans > X-Ray

Diagnosing Pleural Mesothelioma: X-Rays

Although X-rays are often used to scan bones, they are also effective in diagnosing problems such as pleural mesothelioma in soft tissue like the lungs. A chest X-ray can investigate respiratory problems and differentiate between mesothelioma and other conditions such as lung cancer or pneumonia.

X-Rays as Diagnosis for Pleural Mesothelioma

Because of their ability to pinpoint the exact location of a cancerous tumor, mesothelioma X-rays are commonly used in diagnosing the disease. Despite their ability to identify the growth of a tumor, mesothelioma X-rays are not able to diagnose pleural mesothelioma in its earliest stages of development.

X-Rays as Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma – Radiation Therapy

Surgery and chemotherapy – administered either orally or intravenously - are two traditional pleural mesothelioma treatment options. A third option involves radiation therapy to kill the cancerous cells. Mesothelioma X-ray treatments subject individual cells to high doses of X-rays, eventually shrinking the tumor as the cells slowly die off. Often, an external machine administers the mesothelioma X-ray therapy to the tumor. Alternately, beads containing the radioactive materials can be implanted at the cancer site.

A pleural mesothelioma X-ray is typically used in conjunction with one or both of the other traditional treatment methods. While such multimodality therapy generally increases the success of a patient’s treatment plan, this aggressive treatment option can take a heavy toll on the patient’s body.  Before proceeding with mesothelioma X-ray therapy, physicians must consider factors such as age and general health as well as the location, size and status of the tumor.

Potential Dangers of X-Rays

Long term and high level exposure to X-rays has been correlated with certain dangers. Mesothelioma X-rays can cause cellular damage that is intended to kill the cancerous cells, but they can also lead to cells becoming cancerous. While it may seem counterproductive to kill cancerous cells via a method that may produce cancerous cells of a different type, radiation therapy has been proven effective in shrinking various forms of tumors.

Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

The use of X-rays to treat pleural mesothelioma has advantages and disadvantages in comparison to chemotherapy options. X-rays are specifically administered to only the affected area, reducing the full body illness and fatigue that comes along with general chemotherapy. Side effects are instead constrained to the area where the radiation enters the body.

Patients who elect to undergo mesothelioma X-ray treatment have reported irritated skin and soreness at the radiation site. Pleural mesothelioma patients receive X-rays in the chest area which may trigger coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing.

Most side effects of X-ray treatment are temporary and resolve themselves a few months after the end of treatment. If severe side effects occur, making it difficult or painful to breathe or cough, patients should discuss these problems with their physician. In most cases, doctors are able to prescribe medications to reduce the severity of side effects.

Sources

1. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=chestrad
2. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3005143
3. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/MalignantMesothelioma/DetailedGuide/malignant-mesothelioma-diagnosed