Diagnosis and Biomarkers for Mesothelioma Flashcards
7 cards from real Mesothelioma Therapy practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Diagnosis and Biomarkers for Mesothelioma flashcards as text
Which imaging modality is typically performed first when mesothelioma is clinically suspected?
Answer: Chest X-ray
Chest X-ray is the standard initial imaging study when mesothelioma is suspected, commonly revealing unilateral pleural effusion or pleural thickening.
Which CT finding is most characteristic of pleural mesothelioma?
Answer: Circumferential pleural thickening encasing the lung
Circumferential pleural thickening that encases the lung is the classic CT appearance of pleural mesothelioma, distinguishing it from localized lung cancer.
What is the primary role of PET-CT in the evaluation of mesothelioma?
Answer: It assesses metabolic activity of pleural disease and detects distant metastases for staging
PET-CT assesses the metabolic activity of pleural thickening, evaluates regional lymph nodes, and detects occult distant metastases, making it essential for accurate staging.
Which MRI sequences are most useful for evaluating diaphragmatic and chest wall invasion in mesothelioma?
Answer: T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences
T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI sequences provide superior soft tissue contrast and enhancement patterns that best delineate invasion of the diaphragm and chest wall.
What is the most common radiographic finding on initial chest X-ray in patients with pleural mesothelioma?
Answer: Unilateral pleural effusion
Unilateral pleural effusion is the most common initial radiographic finding in pleural mesothelioma, often prompting further diagnostic workup.
Which nuclear medicine study is most useful for detecting occult distant metastases in mesothelioma staging?
Answer: FDG-PET scan
FDG-PET scan is the most sensitive nuclear medicine study for identifying metabolically active distant metastases and comprehensively assessing disease extent in mesothelioma.
Which CT feature is most suggestive of malignant rather than benign pleural disease?
Answer: Pleural thickening greater than 1 cm with nodularity or mediastinal pleural involvement
Pleural thickening exceeding 1 cm with nodularity or involvement of the mediastinal pleura on CT is highly suggestive of malignant pleural disease, including mesothelioma.