Asbestosis Diagnosis

Your oncologist may ask you a series of questions about your lifestyle such as your work place and any other places you may have gone that expose you to asbestos fibers. Since one can carry asbestos on his/her clothes, the doctor may also ask you questions about work activities of your friends and family members.

The second step in the diagnosis is a physical exam with a stethoscope. If your lungs give an abnormal sound (crackling sound), your doctor may recommend X-ray, scanner, Lung function tests and lung biopsy.

Chest X-ray – a chest X-ray can reveal pleural plaques (small scars caused by fiber deposits as a result of exposure to asbestos) on the lining of your lungs. However, the result of the chest x-ray requires supplemental exams to confirm the diagnosis. 

Lung  function tests – also called pulmonary function tests, lung function tests are used to rule out other medical conditions that can cause breathing problems: asthma, lung scarring, sarcoidosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc. Pulmonary function tests are also used to determinehow much air you can breathe in and out.   

Computed Tomography (CT or CAT scan) - This radiographic procedure allows your doctor to detect or confirm the presence of asbestosis in your lungs. It is a very sensitive exam which helps your physician to detect asbestosis in its genesis stage. In general, CT scan results are more accurate than those of X-ray. 

Lung biopsy – a medical specialist can remove a small sample of your lung tissue to confirm the diagnosis; however, this test is rarely performed in the asbestosis diagnosis.