Differential Diagnoses
Symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other malignant conditions, such as metastatic cancer, lung cancer, or sarcoma. Even a sample test under the microscope might look the same. Therefore, doctors use IHC patterns of staining to differentiate between mesothelioma and other forms of cancer. In addition, pleural effusions would be linked to other benign medical conditions. Certain tests can help distinguish the following similar problems: non-small cell lung cancer, pneumonia, small cell lung cancer, asthma, emphysema, metastatic cancer, pulmonary edema, mesothelial hyperplasia, and pulmonary fibrosis.[4]
