Medical Symptoms and Facts

Exposure to asbestos, either in homes, schools, or work related environments has now become the leading cause of malignant mesothelioma among numerous other medical conditions. Inhaling asbestos particles creates an extremely hospitable environment for cancerous malignant mesothelioma cells to develop and reproduce. Malignant mesothelioma generally affects the chest cavities and the linings surrounding vital organs such as the lungs, stomach and heart.

Early detection and diagnosis is the best chance to treat and perhaps cure malignant mesothelioma. Proper diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma in the early stages can offer a variety of treatment options from surgery to remove cancerous tumors to chemo and radiation therapy. Advanced cases of malignant mesothelioma usually require measures to be taken to treat symptoms in order to reduce discomfort, although these procedures generally only treat the symptoms and not the actual malignant mesothelioma disease.

Several different methods are available to test for human asbestos exposure. Air in a potentially contaminated area can be drawn through a filter with the use of a vacuum. The filter can then be checked for asbestos fibers using microscopes. The results for these tests are reported as estimated fibers per cubic centimeter of air. Doctors can also perform tests on patients who have possibly been exposed to airborne asbestos particles. These tests are designed to test lung capacity. The amount of air exhaled after taking the deepest possible breath is measured and compared to expected lung capacity. Results of these tests that are less than 80% of expected lung capacity are considered to be abnormal and may require more in depth analysis to diagnose any diseases associated with asbestos exposure, such as mesothelioma and other types of lung cancer.