A Blood Test for Meso?

Here's an article on the possibility of a new early-detection test for diagnosing Mesothelioma. Meso is a horrible disease that is caused chiefly by prolonged and heavy exposure to asbestos fibers. It also occurs, extremely rarely, in persons with no known exposure to asbestos. This was the case not that long ago with the death of musician Warren Zevon.

A report on a study of the new test was recently featured in the New England Journal of Medicine.

If successful this test would be an important milestone in the treatment of Meso. Up to now there has been no way to perform early screenings for the disease. Typically the disease is detected too late for any effective treatments. The life expectancy after diagnosis is usually only 8 months to a year.