Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can identify the disease with a physical examination, imaging tests, and laboratory work. Doctors can also perform biopsy, which is removing tissue and examining it under a magnifying glass. A pleural biopsy is performed with a chest X-ray or a CT scan to guide the needle into the lung lining. The procedure is injurious and may result in false-negative results. Diagnosis It can take a while to determine mesothelioma because it is a rare form of cancer. Your doctor will begin by taking your medical history and c