A team of researchers led by a doctor from the University of Hawaii Cancer Center say that they may have found a way to determine mesothelioma from lung cancer. Researchers say that those who don’t have a protein called BAP1 are more likely to have a malignant from of mesothelioma. The study revealed that 45 samples of non-small cell lung cancer tested positive for BAP1 while less than half of 35 pleural mesothelioma samples contained BAP1.
The hope is that testing for the BAP1 protein may decrease the instance of misdiagnosis, which is believed to be at about 10 percent. There are 200,000 cases of lung cancer diagnosed in the United States each year compared to 3,000 cases of pleural mesothelioma. The rarity of the illness may be why so many doctors believe mesothelioma patients have lung cancer, but it may also be because the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer are similar.
While the symptoms may appear similar, the course of treatment for the two conditions is completely different. Without proper diagnosis, patients may not receive the care they need or get the care that they need in a timely manner. In most cases, mesothelioma cannot be diagnosed in its early stages, which may also present a challenge to doctors trying to provide proper care for a patient.
Patients who receive a delayed diagnosis or an incorrect diagnosis of cancer or any other type of condition may wish to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit with the assistance of an attorney. It may be possible to obtain compensation for medical bills and other losses that have been sustained.
