Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that became widely used starting in the mid-1800s during the Industrial Revolution. Production and use of asbestos particularly increased during World War II, when it was used in a variety of commercial products, including textiles, insulation, flooring, shingles and cement. Millions of workers in the US have had asbestos exposure during a time when the risks were not well known. As time passed, workers in asbestos mines and asbestos processing facilities, manufacturing plants of asbestos products, as well as workers in …

Diagnosis of mesothelioma usually begins with a review a patient’s medical history, particularly to determine whether there has been a history of asbestos exposure. Following the review, doctors typically perform physical examinations, lung function tests, imaging scans, and other procedures to determine signs pointing to mesothelioma cancer.
X-Ray Mesothelioma Diagnostics
Taking a chest x-ray is usually one of the first mesothelioma diagnosis procedures undertaken. An x-ray will usually reveal whether there is any buildup of fluid in the mesothelium, called pleural effusion. A chest x-ray may also reveal the …