Asbestos Disease Information

An asbestos disease is an abnormality that is caused as a result of asbestos exposure. A fibrous metamorphic mineral group that is carcinogenic when inhaled, asbestos has long been linked with a variety of health concerns. Commonly used as a source of insulation for a variety of commercial and industrial purposes, asbestos exposure was a common occurrence for the average blue-collared worker.

There are numerous different types of asbestos disease, some of which include:

• Malignant mesothelioma
• Asbestos lung cancer
• Asbestosis
• Diffuse pleural thickening
• Asbestos warts

Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious type of asbestos disease because it is both fatal and incurable. There are 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of malignant mesothelioma diagnosed each year in the United States alone (where asbestos has been regulated since 1970) and the disease is believed responsible for more than 200,000 deaths worldwide.

Malignant mesothelioma is a somewhat rare type of cancer that has been linked exclusively with asbestos exposure. There are three types of mesothelioma, each affecting a different section of mesothelial tissue:

• Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma (accounting for an approximate 75% of all documented cases), affecting the mesothelial tissue lining the lung cavity (pleura).
• Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type of malignant mesothelioma (accounting for an approximate 10% to 20% of all documented cases), affecting the mesothelial tissue lining the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).
• Pericardial mesothelioma is the least common type of malignant mesothelioma (accounting for less than 10% of all documented cases), affecting the mesothelial tissue lining the heart sac (pericardium).

Asbestos Lung Cancer

Asbestos lung cancer is often confused with malignant pleural mesothelioma because of the fact that both are cancers caused by asbestos exposure. Whereas pleural mesothelioma affects the tissue lining the lung cavity, asbestos lung cancer affects the parenchymal tissue of the lung itself. Aside from the fact that asbestos lung cancer is caused by the inhalation of carcinogenic asbestos fibers, it is no different than other types of lung cancer.

Asbestos cancer originating in the lungs is called primary asbestos lung cancer; asbestos cancer originating elsewhere in the body that spreads to the lungs is called secondary lung cancer.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a respiratory disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Asbestosis is not a type of cancer, nor is it directly fatal; however, asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that can severely decrease sufferers' total lung capacity (TLC) and eventually lead to congestive heart disease.

Asbestosis sufferers are typically faced with symptoms that can include shortness of breath (dyspnea), persistent cough, chronic chest pain and fatigue. Asbestosis sufferers face an increased risk of developing a more serious asbestos disease like malignant mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer.

Diffuse Pleural Thickening

Diffuse pleural thickening is a respiratory ailment that can be caused by asbestos exposure. Inhaled asbestos fibers become lodged in lung tissue, leading to generalized scarring of the pleura. Although diffuse pleural thickening typically affects both lungs, it is not uncommon for it to only affect a single lung. A part of the serous membrane, the pleura is a lubricated tissue that caters to the expansion and contraction of the lungs. Diffuse pleural thickening reduces the pleura's expandability, constricting the lungs and generating a feeling of breathlessness. If extensive, diffuse pleural thickening can eventually cause permanent lung impairment.

Asbestos Warts

Asbestos warts differ from the aforementioned asbestos disease types in that they are not related to the inhalation of asbestos. Sharp asbestos micro-fibers are capable of lodging in the skin, causing the growth of non-cancerous, callus-like skin cells called warts. Asbestos warts are relatively harmless.