IHC, Mesothelin Test

Mesothelial cells that form the boundary of the pleura, peritoneum and the pericardial consists of surface cell proteins that are linked to the glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI) which comprises to form Mesothelin. The MSLN gene is observed to encode the precursor protein of 71 kDa which in turn is processed to form a shed protein called MPF, that is, Megakaryocyte Potentiating Factor from 31 kDa in association with a membrane bound protein 40 kDa. Mesothelin forms its expression in various types of tumours, specifically malignant tumours namely ovarian cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma and malignant mesothelioma. An escalated aggressiveness of a particular tumour or poor clinical results are expressed through Mesothelin.

There is no physical preparation needed. A doctor or physician orders a mesothelin test to track the progression or recurrence of mesothelioma. This is ordered in the following cases: Post diagnosis Post a surgery to eradicate tumour in the chest cavity Whilst chemotherapy or radiation therapy, in some cases, after the therapy. You need to inform the doctor or physician about the medicines you are prescribed with. You can also discuss with him the response of your body towards these medicines or drugs. Clear doubts, if any, to let the test go smooth and worry free.

The test is performed in unison with a Computer Tomography (CT) or a Positron Emission Tomography (PET). It helps in understanding your response to the treatment Checks whether the disease has spread and if yes, what is the degree of it’s spread Determines whether or not the disease has relapsed With reference to the above cases, this test helps in analysing what should be the doctor’s move further. For instance, if the test reveals that mesothelial has elevated or spread further, doctors recommend a high resolution CT scan. The latter being a more assuring procedure, can be used in rural areas where a patient needs to travel for further treatment, if at all he needs it.

Your blood is extracted from the body by inserting a needle in your vein in your arm. The results of the test cannot be considered as the final one because the disease does not detect the presence of malignant mesothelioma but is used as a confirmatory test to investigate further more accurate tests. The blood sample is tested through using a well defined procedure. Reagents that are used differ from one lab to the other. You need not worry because these reagents might vary slightly in composition but their purpose is the same. Many a times, when mesothelin has increased, doctors or physicians immediately resort to a CT scan.