Certain findings on chest x-rays  that suggest asbestos exposure could prompt the need for further tests or close follow-up. However, the chest x-ray is not an effective test for early detection of mesothelioma in the general population.

Medical History and Physical Exam

A complete medical history (interview) is taken to check for risk factors and symptoms. This will include questions to determine if you have been exposed to asbestos.

A physical exam will provide information about signs of mesothelioma and other health problems. Patients with pleural mesotheliomas (mesotheliomas of the chest) often have fluid in their chest cavity (pleural effusion) caused by the cancer. Some will have fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites) in cases of peritoneal mesothelioma, or fluid in the pericardium (pericardial effusion) in cases of pericardial mesothelioma. All these might be detected during a physical exam. Otherwise they will be found by imaging studies.

Rarely, mesothelioma can appear in the groin and look like a hernia.