Positive or Suspicious Cytology

Positive or Suspicious Cytology

During the diagnosis process, if the cytology is positive or suspicious, a biopsy will be needed to determine if mesothelioma is present. A pathologist will examine a sample of tissue (that has been removed by a doctor) under microscope. 

Depending on where the suspicious area is located, a biopsy may be done in different ways. During a thoracoscopy of the chest, the doctor makes a small incision through the chest wall and will put a narrow, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between the ribs. A thoracoscopy will allow the doctor to see inside the chest and obtain tissue samples.