Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms

Because asbestos fibers remain in the body so long, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may only appear decades after the asbestos has been inhaled. Common symptoms of an asbestos-related cancer include:

• Shortness of breath
• A cough or a change in cough pattern
• Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs
• Pain in the chest or abdomen
• Difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness
• Significant weight loss

If any of these symptoms develop and you believe you may have worked with--or been around someone who has worked with--asbestos, make an appointment to see your doctor immediately.

Diagnosis

Once you have contacted your physician and explained your symptoms, the doctor may perform a complete physical examination. This may include a chest x-ray and lung function tests. While a chest x-ray cannot determine whether there are asbestos fibers in the lungs, it can help determine whether your lungs may have changed due to asbestos exposure. A x-ray specialist in asbestos-related diseases may be required to examine and interpret your x-rays.

If an abnormal area is found through the x-ray, you may need to have a biopsy to learn if that area is cancerous. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncogolgist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a tissue sample. Then this sample is examined under a microscope by a pathologist.

Because asbestos fibers can be found in urine, feces, mucus, or material from the lungs, you may have to undergo additional testing to determine the scope of your condition.