In either case, the only real way to determine if someone has asbestosis or mesothelioma is to undergo an x ray. Effects The effects of asbestosis and mesothelioma are ultimately fatal if left unchecked. Chemotherapy and laser surgery procedures geared towards cancer treatment are the most effective medical procedures used in tandem to treat mesothelioma tumors. It is a dangerous disease that, while rare, is troublesome for several reasons. However, if asbestos exposure lawyer the asbestosis has already developed into mesothelioma, regular surgery ceases to be an option, as the average life expectancy of a patient after the operation is only 5 years.