A Rare Lung Disease: Fibrosing Mediastinitis (FM)

FM is a reaction to the inhalation of a fungus (Histoplasmosis) that is in the soil of the Ohio-Mississippi River Valley Area and is found worldwide. Currently there are only 300-400 people in the U.S. diagnosed with FM. Many others have FM and are unaware that it is taking over vital vessels and airways in and around the heart and lungs. FM is inoperable and causes many life threatening complications, including repeated stent placements and angioplasty procedures, which are potentially life threatening as well. FM is diagnosed in people that are in the late 20's to mid 40's. It is hard to diagnose due to the age of the otherwise healthy patients. Doctors are not aware of FM and therefore do not know they need to test for it. The only diagnostic procedure that indicates FM's presence is a CT or MRI exam. Doctors do not generally order CT's and MRI's for young patients that present with the broad range of symptoms FM creates: shortness of breath, chest pain, blood streaked sputum, etc.
Anyone can inhale this fungus if they live in or visit the region.

The National Institute of Health and the Center for Disease Control do not recognize FM as a disease. Not even the American Lung Association has information regarding FM. This fact makes it extremely difficult for those affected with FM to file and receive necessary disability and more importantly, it is difficult to find answers without research or knowledge...