Can Mesothelioma Be Misdiagnosed?
Yes, mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed since this cancer is so rare and shares symptoms with more common and less aggressive health issues. Mesothelioma misdiagnoses include the flu, lung cancer, and digestive problems. We can help you or a loved one get a correct mesothelioma diagnosis and explore top treatments.
How Can Mesothelioma Be Misdiagnosed?
Mesothelioma patients could be misdiagnosed if proper testing isn’t performed once they start experiencing possible cancer symptoms, like a cough or shortness of breath.
Roughly 30% of malignant mesothelioma patients were given the wrong diagnosis at first, according to a 2020 study.
Common misdiagnoses of mesothelioma include:
- The flu or common cold
- Indegestion
- Pneumonia
- Other cancers, like lung cancer and ovarian cancer
A mesothelioma misdiagnosis can lead to severe consequences as this aggressive cancer could be given more time to spread, making it harder to treat and limiting long-term survival.
Contact our mesothelioma nurses now for help getting an accurate diagnosis and finding top cancer doctors.
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Mesothelioma Patients
Why Can Mesothelioma Be Misdiagnosed?
Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed by general doctors because only about 3,000 Americans are diagnosed each year, and it shares symptoms with many more common health issues.
A mesothelioma misdiagnosis occurs in one of two ways:
- A person is diagnosed with a condition other than mesothelioma
- The location, cell type, or stage of their mesothelioma is incorrectly identified
“Mesothelioma is such a rare cancer that the majority of patients end up getting misdiagnosed or treated for a number of other things before it gets figured out.”
— Dr. Joseph Friedberg, mesothelioma specialist
Requesting to see a mesothelioma specialist is an excellent way to ensure you’re correctly diagnosed, especially if you know you were exposed to asbestos (the only cause of this cancer).
Specialized doctors see mesothelioma patients on an everyday basis, making them experts in diagnosing and treating this rare cancer.
Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis by Type
Mesothelioma can develop in the lining of different parts of the body 10-50 years following asbestos exposure. Each type of mesothelioma causes unique symptoms and can be misdiagnosed as many other health issues.
Learn more about mesothelioma misdiagnosis by type below.
Pleural Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis
Malignant pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs, or pleura, and is the most common type.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, shortness of breath, pleural effusion (fluid buildup), and unexplained weight loss.
Pleural mesothelioma could be misdiagnosed as:
- Adenocarcinoma (glandular cancer)
- Benign (noncancerous) tumors
- Breast cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Emphysema
- Influenza (the flu)
- Lung cancer
- Lung fibrosis (scarring)
- Lung infections
- Pneumonia
Lung cancer and breast cancer are two of the most common types of metastatic cancers that mimic mesothelioma, according to an Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine report.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) and is the second-most common type of this cancer.
Potential peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms, like abdominal pain and swelling, weight loss, and changes in bowel movements, could be mistaken for many more common issues.
Peritoneal mesothelioma misdiagnoses include:
- Bowel obstruction
- Different types of abdominal cancer
- Gallstones
- Hernia
- Intestinal tuberculosis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Ovarian cancer
Knowing if you or a family member has a history of asbestos exposure could help rule out more common misdiagnoses.
“My father would come home from work, and I’d run up and hug him. He was covered in dust from a worksite. We didn’t know that included asbestos dust.”
— Julie Gundlach, peritoneal mesothelioma survivor
Pericardial Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the heart lining (pericardium) and is incredibly rare, with only 10-15 new cases per year in the United States.
As a result, doctors and patients can easily mistake symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma — chest pain, shortness of breath, and weight loss — for other health issues.
Pericardial mesothelioma misdiagnoses include:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Pleural mesothelioma that has spread to the heart
- Other tumors affecting the heart lining
The majority of pericardial mesothelioma patients are only diagnosed after they’ve passed away, according to a 2024 Circulation report.
Testicular Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis
Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of this cancer. Symptoms of testicular mesothelioma include pain, swelling, and inflammation of the testicles.
Common testicular mesothelioma misdiagnoses include:
- Epididymitis
- Inguinal hernia
- Testicular cancer
- Other cancers and tumors
Connect with our nurses right now if you may have been misdiagnosed with mesothelioma. We can help you find top doctors to review your diagnosis and access top treatments.
Can Stages of Mesothelioma Be Misdiagnosed?
Yes, the stages of mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed. Mesothelioma has four stages that allow doctors to track how far the cancer has spread through the body.
Here are potential mesothelioma misdiagnoses by stage:
- Stages 1 and 2: Patients may experience very mild symptoms like a cough or chest pain, which could be mistaken for common issues like a cold. Some patients may not have any symptoms in these early stages.
- Stage 3: Symptoms of mesothelioma are more noticeable. Potential misdiagnoses may include other types of cancer or conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Stage 4: This is the most advanced stage. It could be misdiagnosed as lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or other malignancies that have spread.
Up to 80% of patients diagnosed with early-stage pleural mesothelioma were actually found to have a higher stage during surgery, according to a 2022 Journal of Clinical Oncology study.
Later stages of mesothelioma are harder to treat and have a worse prognosis (health outlook). Working with a specialist is key to ensuring your mesothelioma stage is accurately diagnosed from the start.
Impacts of a Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis
A mesothelioma misdiagnosis can negatively affect both short-term and long-term quality of life.
Effects of a mesothelioma misdiagnosis include:
- Delayed treatment: This can worsen cancer spread, potentially letting it reach a stage where major treatments are no longer effective and leading to a poorer mesothelioma prognosis.
- Emotional distress: Misdiagnosis can lead to confusion, mistrust, and false hope, especially if diagnosed with a less severe illness.
- Increased costs: Victims and their families may face additional expenses if they were initially diagnosed and treated for a condition other than mesothelioma.
For these reasons, anyone facing a potential mesothelioma misdiagnosis should seek out advice from a doctor who specializes in this cancer.
Speak with a mesothelioma nurse now for help finding specialists to confirm your mesothelioma diagnosis.
- Find Top Doctors and Treatments
- Connect You With Clinical Trials
- Answer Medical Questions
Amy Fair
20+ Years Helping
Mesothelioma Patients
How to Get Mesothelioma Second Opinions
If you suspect that you may have suffered a mesothelioma misdiagnosis, seeking a second opinion is a critical next step.
A mesothelioma second opinion is a review of your diagnosis by another doctor. A second opinion can help determine if you were correctly diagnosed.
Learn how to get a second opinion for a mesothelioma misdiagnosis below.
1. Research Mesothelioma Specialists
A mesothelioma specialist will be able to check for this rare cancer and recommend the best treatment plan possible for your case.
“Just because someone’s a thoracic surgeon or oncologist doesn’t mean they see a lot of mesothelioma. You want to see someone that’s a real mesothelioma specialist.”
– Dr. Raja Flores, mesothelioma specialist
2. Let Your Doctor Know
You do not need your doctor’s permission to get a second opinion, but it is a good idea to let them know so they can help coordinate your medical records, future care, and more.
Some doctors may encourage you to get a second opinion and will even recommend health care providers for you.
3. Schedule Your Appointment
Once you have found the right mesothelioma specialist based on recommendations or your own research, you can make an appointment for your second opinion.
Call (877) 446-5767 for free help finding doctors who can offer a second opinion. Our team is standing by to assist you.
4. Get More Tests If Necessary
The mesothelioma specialist you see for a second opinion may not be able to provide an accurate diagnosis based on the information they already have.
For this reason, you should be prepared to get additional tests so they can work to confirm your diagnosis.
Mesothelioma diagnostic tests may include:
- Imaging scans such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs to look for tumors
- Blood tests to identify potential signs of mesothelioma
- Biopsies (review of fluid or tissue sample) to look for mesothelioma cells
Doctors can determine which tests (if any) are needed to make a correct diagnosis.
Getting an Accurate Mesothelioma Diagnosis
There are a few things that you can look for in your mesothelioma diagnosis to ensure that it is accurate.
Location and Stage
Your diagnosis should include which mesothelioma type and stage you have, so you know where your cancer is located and how far it has spread.
This information is extremely important as it guides your treatment plan after a diagnosis.
Cell Type
Your diagnosis should indicate which mesothelioma cell type is present, as this will significantly affect your prognosis and treatment options.
Mesothelioma tumor cell types are epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common and easiest type to treat.
Suggested Treatment Plan
Your diagnosis should include a suggested mesothelioma treatment plan based on the type and stage of your cancer.
While every patient’s treatment journey will be different, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation are commonly used by many specialists. Doctors can recommend options that will work best in your case.
Find Help for a Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis
Many mesothelioma patients are only diagnosed after suffering from unexplained symptoms for far too long.
If you or a loved one has possibly received a mesothelioma misdiagnosis, contact Lung Cancer Group today.
Our mesothelioma nurses can:
- Connect you with doctors so you can get an accurate diagnosis
- Help you explore treatments to improve prognosis
- Recommend compensation options to cover treatments
No one should have to walk through mesothelioma or deal with the uncertainty of a misdiagnosis alone.
Get in touch with our nurses now or call (877) 446-5767 to learn how we can assist you or a loved one.
Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis FAQs
Can mesothelioma be misdiagnosed?
Yes, mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed because this cancer is incredibly rare (with about 3,000 cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year) and shares symptoms with many other diseases.
Common mesothelioma misdiagnoses include lung cancer, a common cold, digestive issues, pneumonia, and more.
The best way to avoid being misdiagnosed is to seek out a mesothelioma specialist.
What conditions can mimic mesothelioma?
Lung cancer and breast cancer are the two most common conditions that mimic mesothelioma, according to a report from Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.
Doctors could easily mistake pleural mesothelioma for these cancers, as all of them affect the chest and cause symptoms like a cough and difficulty breathing.
Contact our team now if you are concerned that you’ve experienced a mesothelioma misdiagnosis. We can help you find a specialist to get a second opinion at no cost to you.
What is a second opinion for mesothelioma?
A second opinion for mesothelioma is when you see another doctor to ensure your initial diagnosis is accurate.
If you suspect that you have this rare cancer, make sure your diagnosis is reviewed by a mesothelioma specialist. General doctors may not be able to easily — or accurately — diagnose you.
You should never feel embarrassed when it comes to getting a second opinion for mesothelioma. You are advocating for yourself and taking charge of your health.
Can mesothelioma be misdiagnosed as lung cancer?
Yes, pleural mesothelioma could be mistaken for lung cancer since both of these illnesses cause respiratory issues like difficulty breathing, chest pain, and a cough.
With that said, pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs (pleura) before spreading to other parts of the body. Lung cancer affects the lung itself.
Speak with our mesothelioma nurses now to find specialists who can help make an accurate diagnosis.
How often is mesothelioma misdiagnosed?
Mesothelioma misdiagnoses are all too common. In fact, roughly 30% of mesothelioma patients were misdiagnosed in a recent study.
Mesothelioma could be misdiagnosed by general doctors since it’s so rare and because the symptoms are often not that noticeable at first.
Ernie Conry experienced mesothelioma symptoms for nearly 8 years before his diagnosis was confirmed. “Various doctor visits could prove nothing,” he recalled. “It’s a hard disease to diagnose.”
Why is mesothelioma so rare?
Mesothelioma is so rare because it’s only caused by asbestos exposure. Many other conditions with similar symptoms have many possible causes.
For example, lung cancer is mainly caused by smoking, but can also stem from asbestos, other toxic pollutants, and even genetics.
Mesothelioma is incredibly aggressive and must be promptly treated. For this reason, patients should always ensure their diagnosis is accurate before starting treatment.
Can I be hopeful with a mesothelioma diagnosis?
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s important to stay hopeful — even if the cancer was mistaken for another condition at first.
While a mesothelioma misdiagnosis can sometimes limit treatment options, it may be possible to improve your life expectancy with the right treatment plan.
For example, Ernie Conry lived for nearly a decade with pleural mesothelioma even though it took doctors years to correctly diagnose him. “If you walk up and down the street and you’re still smiling, you’re not dead,” Ernie said. “Don’t let the cancer bog you down.”
