Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that is notoriously difficult to diagnose. This is why finding new, effective ways to identify mesothelioma cells is a growing focus for researchers.

Cryobiopsy has shown positive results as a safe and efficient method of diagnosing this cancer, according to a 2025 study published in Lung Cancer.

A cryobiopsy works by freezing a very small part of the lungs to take an accurate sample of cells. The procedure is quick, safe, and minimally invasive.

In the study, cryobiopsy:

  • Identified more cancer cells than a standard biopsy.
  • Led to a better chance of an accurate pleural mesothelioma diagnosis.
  • Showed positive results when it came to identifying the three types of mesothelioma cells, which are biphasic, epithelioid, and sarcomatoid.

Since a typical biopsy involves anesthesia and surgery, a higher risk level is involved. Cryobiopsy is overall faster and more convenient for the patient when compared with a standard biopsy.

Learn more about how this procedure could improve the mesothelioma diagnosis process and what it means for patients.

How Cryobiopsy Could Improve Mesothelioma Diagnosis

The researchers in the study knew that cryobiopsy was an effective technique for diagnosing other diseases, so they wanted to see if it worked for mesothelioma.

The standard methods used to diagnose mesothelioma include biopsies, blood tests, and imaging scans. In this new study, cryobiopsy showed promising advantages over traditional diagnostic tools.

Their research examined 69 total pleural mesothelioma patients, 35 of whom received the standard diagnostic procedures, while 34 got a cryobiopsy.

  • The cryobiopsy group had a significantly higher diagnostic yield, meaning more certainty in the diagnosis, with 88% for the cryobiopsy group compared to 66% for the group that received a standard biopsy.
  • The cryobiopsy group had their cell type identified 79% of the time, versus only 43% of the group who underwent a regular biopsy.

Sample size is a critical part of diagnosing a disease, especially mesothelioma, where the cells are hard to distinguish from other cancers. Cryobiopsy allows for a much larger sample size, which improved the accuracy of diagnosis in this study.

It’s also essential for identifying the mesothelioma cell type. When medical experts know the cell type, they can make an accurate prognosis and determine the best treatments to use.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive disease, so it’s important to take action if you’ve been diagnosed. If you have questions about the disease, including its symptoms and treatments, our free guide has the answers you need.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Mesothelioma Diagnosis?

As research into this technique continues and cryobiopsy guidelines improve, patients could benefit from a faster and less invasive diagnosis.

Cryobiopsy may help by providing:

  • Minimally invasive diagnosis: A key benefit of cryobiopsy vs. surgical lung biopsy is that the former is minimally invasive, making it very safe and posing minimal risks.
  • More accurate diagnosis: Given the challenge of identifying mesothelioma cells and the fact that symptoms are similar to other illnesses, misdiagnosis has always been a problem. Cryobiopsies could lead to a more accurate diagnosis.
  • Quicker diagnosis: Mesothelioma is most treatable in its earlier stages. An early diagnosis via a cryobiopsy may allow treatment to begin sooner, helping patients and caregivers feel at ease knowing that action is being taken.

The study authors stated that “cryobiopsy’s advantage is the possibility of deep vertical tissue sampling.” This means cryobiopsies allowed doctors to get a larger sample from the deeper layers of tissue, thereby improving diagnosis.

Find Support for Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Cryobiopsies are just one more advancement that could make life easier for mesothelioma patients in the future. If you need support for your mesothelioma diagnosis, we’re here to help.

Our team at Mesothelioma Hope can:

  • Connect you with local specialists
  • Help you understand what to expect during treatment
  • Find out if you qualify for compensation

Call us at (866) 608-8933 or get our Free Mesothelioma Guide now to get started.

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Laura WrightWritten by:

Lead Editor

Laura Wright is a journalist and content strategist with more than 17 years of professional experience. She attended college at the University of Florida, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2008. Her writing has been featured in The Gainesville Sun and other regional publications throughout Florida.

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References
  1. Lung Cancer. (January 2025). Efficacy of Cryobiopsy During Medical Thorascoscopy For Diagnosing Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169500224006081
  2. National Library of Medicine. (November 27, 2019). Pleural Cryobiopsy During Local Anaesthetic Thoracoscopy in Dry Pleural Dissemination. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6881178/

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